How to Host a Girls' Night IN

Just because it's too costly to go out doesn't mean you have to forego spending quality time with your best friends. Whether you're 12 or 70, nurturing and maintaining bonds with our female friends not only replenishes and fills our emotional tank, but it's just plain fun to get together. Hosting a "girls' night in" is easy if you try one or more of these steps listed in this article.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coffee with anything imaginable to mix in it and a bunch of coffee-drinking pals
• board games
• foot baths and nail-related items for a spa night
• myriad of craft-related objects for card making, scrapbooking, or quilting
• A pile of coupons to exchange
• Recipes to exchange
• have a "HOW TO" party

1. 
   serve up some great brew!

   Have all your coffee-drinking friends over for a "create your own" beverage night. Have each one bring a sampling of her favorite dessert to share with the group; have the host provide caramel topping, syrups, liqueurs, different types of sugar/sugar substitutes, and mix-ins to put in the coffee. Make the coffee very strong and have enough cups for all ladies present. For those NOT interested in hot coffee, provide ice water or some other alternative so they don't feel left out. Combine this with any of the activities below while everyone unwinds, relaxes and builds the bond of friendship with one another.

2. 
   progressive meal

   Host a progressive dinner, starting at one friend's home for appetizers; the next friend's for salad; dinner at the next friend's; dessert and/or drinks at the next friend's, etc.

3. 
   making and saving memories!

   Have ladies over to make greeting cards or scrapbook, using old photos and/or scraps everyone has (buttons, ribbons, stickers, stampers, etc). Everyone can bring snacks along with their supplies to share so the pressure doesn't fall solely on the host.

4. 
   do your nails together

   Have everyone bring tools to polish finger/toenails. Provide upbeat, dance music or videos playing for entertainment and provide hot or cold beverages to all friends present. Designate each person to bring something different, perhaps one will bring the nail polish, the remover, the sticks to push cuticles, the fun flip flops (available at beauty outlets). Have fun together with your friends.

5. 
   learn a new skill

   Host a "how-to" party. If there's someone in your circle of friends who has a talent to share such as sewing, quilting, knitting, makeup application, making the best baked goods in the world, etc. have them give a demo. If time permits, have several demos. Sharing your tips will give everyone the opportunity for learning something new.

6. 
   everyone benefits from coupon sharing

   Have all your friends bring along a snack to share and a stack of last week's newspaper circulars and coupon clippings. Share all your coupons with the group and help everyone save more during their next trip to the store. In addition to coupons, have them bring along their favorite recipes. Have each person make the dish along with bringing enough copies to share with all guests present.

7. 
   break out the board games

   Bring out the board games and spend an evening split up in teams, playing against one another. Purchase or have someone bring one of those singing games you can plug into your television and have a karaoke competition.

[xivyisazombiex]

on 9/23/2009 Great article. It makes a guys night out all the easier.

[woodsgi]

on 9/17/2009 These fun ideas make me want to host a girls night in!

[knelson]

on 8/1/2009 Great idea, love girls nights!

[cincin1]

on 7/28/2009 Great ideas. My gal friends and I have an annual picnic in the park at the shakespeare festival. It is a time for us girls to have a night out, enjoy a shakespeare play, and have a wonder picnic dinner with wine. Good article. Will keep the ideas in mind for another night out. Great job. 5*

[grimsleygl]

on 7/21/2009 Lovley ideas. Thanks! 5*'s