Life can really become hectic and sometimes you need to take a breather and recharge the batteries. Having a girl’s night in is a perfect way of letting loose and enjoying time with your closest friends.
Think of this as the slumber party you had when you were a little girl, but without the sleepover. Call the sitter and get the place set up for a fun night with some of your closest friends.
Planning For The Perfect Evening
Ladies, when it comes to planning a perfect evening, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First, you want to make sure that you have a clear idea of what you want to do.
Whether you’re looking for a night of pure relaxation or you’re looking to go out and have some fun, it’s important to know what you’re aiming for.
- Start with a theme to get the juices flowing.
- Think about the food and how it will tie in with your theme. Examples would be a potatoe bar, or taco bar.
Second, make sure that you have a realistic idea of what you can accomplish.
If you’re trying to plan an evening that’s too ambitious, you’re likely to end up disappointed. We don’t need that type of stress friend, so keep your goals realistic and achievable.
Finally, don’t forget to have some backup plans.
Things don’t always go according to plan, so it’s always good to have a few options in case something goes wrong. By following these simple tips, you’re sure to have a perfect evening, no matter what you’re looking for.
Funk-A-Delic
Who doesn’t love a good dress up? Choose to center the night around a specific period, it could be 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s night.
Have a little music playing in the background as your guests are arriving setting the mood and have some of the grooviest hair and clothes as these are great at stirring up memories of back in the day. Doing a set of the 80’s will have plenty of plenty of options to choose from. Big hair and lots of hairspray!
Game Idea: Trivia Night
Create a trivia game with categories that you know everyone would be interested in. You can have general knowledge questions, pop culture, or even personal trivia about each friend.
Movie Marathon
Are you a sucker for a really good love story? This is probably by the one of the best girl’s night in options to do with your girlfriends. Watch with a group of women who can appreciate a great storyline and a good cry. Make sure to also include a romantic comedy so that you are not just crying but laughing also. Set up a mini concession stand and have popcorn, nachos, and movie candy available.
Game Idea: DIY Bingo
You can also create a bingo game with common movie clichés or quotes. Set up a mini concession stand and have popcorn, nachos, and movie candy available.
Game Night
Host an adult game night and gather all of your girlfriends for a night full of laughs. Make it a competition by giving out prizes to the winning teams. For the prizes, you can make spa gift bags with some inexpensive items for manicures, pedicures, or messaging lotions. Maybe add a really nice candle also.
Game Idea: Board Game Marathon
Choose a selection of board games that are both fun and strategic. Whether it’s classics like Scrabble and Monopoly or newer games, a board game marathon can provide hours of entertainment.
Spa Night
Speaking of spa, why not have a night full of pampering? What woman doesn’t like a good foot soak? Sometimes when you think of spa it may seem that this option could be costly, but there are DIY beauty recipe options that will help to cut costs and are still nice and luxurious.
Game Idea: Truth or Dare Jenga
Write truth or dare questions on Jenga blocks before playing. As the tower gets taller, the truths and dares get more entertaining. If the tower falls, the person responsible takes takes a shot.
Wine Tasting
Do you love wine? Have each of your guest bring their favorite bottle of wine and have a wine tasting party. You will need to choose a particular theme as far as how to set everything up but this is a great way to try new wines and expand your palette.
Game Idea: Wine Tasting Contest
Set up a wine tasting station with a variety of wines. Provide scorecards for everyone to rate each wine and guess the type. The person with the most accurate guesses or the highest score wins a prize.
Pajama Mama
Have your girlfriends wear their favorite pajamas and have a night full of games and food. Since the theme is pajamas get the ladies together and cook breakfast food for dinner.
Squeeze in a cook-off challenge while everyone is in the kitchen. Taste-test and vote for the best breakfast dish.
A friend of ours had breakfast for dinner and I thought it was such a neat idea. Having the ladies over and everyone cooking in the kitchen is loads of fun by showing their cooking skills. I have friends and family members who are very competitive when it comes to cooking.
Game Idea: Karaoke Night
Bring out the inner diva with a karaoke night. Pick a theme or let everyone choose their favorite songs. Bonus points for creative costumes or props!
What To Serve For Drinks and Appetizers
Giving you a few more ideas to bringing this night all together here are some additional options:
Drinks:
- Signature Cocktails: Create a signature cocktail for the night. It could be something light and refreshing like a fruity sangria, a classic mojito, or a fun and colorful martini.
- Wine and Cheese Pairing: Set up a wine and cheese station with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and different types of wine. Provide a guide or let everyone experiment with their own pairings.
- Mocktail Bar: For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, set up a mocktail bar with a variety of juices, sodas, and fresh fruits. Guests can mix their own refreshing mocktails.
- Champagne or Prosecco Bar: Elevate the evening with a champagne or prosecco bar. Include fresh fruit purees, berries, and edible flowers for a touch of elegance.
- Tea and Infusions: Offer a selection of gourmet teas and herbal infusions. Provide honey, lemon, and mint for those who like to customize their tea.
Appetizers:
- Bruschetta Trio: Serve a variety of bruschettas with different toppings such as tomato and basil, goat cheese and honey, or smoked salmon and cream cheese.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Create stuffed mushrooms with a mix of cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs. Bake until golden and delicious.
- Caprese Skewers: Thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for a classic and tasty appetizer.
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip: Bake a creamy spinach and artichoke dip and serve with tortilla chips, pita bread, or sliced baguette.
- Shrimp Cocktail: Arrange chilled shrimp around a bowl of tangy cocktail sauce. Add lemon wedges for extra flavor.
- Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips: Dice up a variety of fresh fruits to create a sweet and refreshing salsa. Serve with homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla chips.
- Vegetable Spring Rolls: Make or buy vegetable spring rolls and serve with a delicious dipping sauce. They’re light, crispy, and perfect for snacking.
- Gourmet Popcorn Bar: Set up a popcorn bar with a variety of gourmet popcorn flavors such as truffle, caramel, and spicy cheese. Provide fun toppings like chocolate drizzle, nuts, and dried fruit.
- Mediterranean Platter: Arrange olives, hummus, feta cheese, grape leaves, and pita bread for a Mediterranean-inspired platter.
- Chocolate Fondue: End the night on a sweet note with a chocolate fondue. Provide marshmallows, strawberries, banana slices, and pretzels for dipping.
Making Memorable Moments To Cherish
The ladies you invite will be singing your praises by the end of the night. With the fun that awaits, this could possibly be something that you may choose to do on an ongoing basis.
There are so many different options for having a girl’s night in. The purpose is to allow yourself a moment to take a break from the daily chores, meetings, commuting, cooking, cleaning, and everything else in between and just relax and have fun.
What are some ideas that were not mentioned that you have tried or are thinking of trying? Leave them in the comments below.