Ladies love a good girls’ night out, but sometimes it is more fun, and much cheaper, to have a stress-free girls’ night in. You can host a get-together that gives you a night free of drama and full of laughter and relaxation. That free and easy mantra should extend from the party prep to cleanup.
Cleaning: Do some light cleaning of your home – vacuum, hide obvious messes, freshen up the bathrooms – but do not go overboard. Feel free to keep the party limited to two or three “clean” zones so you do not have to clean your whole place. I have an enclosed porch area that is perfect for this kind of party because a porch already feels relaxed and casual.
Décor: Let’s start with party décor. Don’t have any? Just make the space as cozy and welcoming as possible. Run through a list of the five senses to help you hone in on specific areas. Can you light an inoffensive scented candle to freshen the room? Are there throw blankets or floor pillows you can add to the space to help your guests feel comfortable? Where possible, choose spot lighting instead of harsher overhead lighting. Finally, choose a fun Spotify or Songza station to have playing in the background when your friends arrive.
Dress code: Make sure your friends know that the dress code for girls’ night in is uber casual; yoga pants are encouraged.
Food and drink: Unless you are a person who finds relaxation in cooking new recipes, keep the party food to tried-and-true snack staples. A bowl of tortilla chips and fresh salsa allows guests to nibble as they chat. One of my favorite easy cleanup party tricks is to roll down the sides of paper bags to turn them into single-use bowls. Scatter a few bags around the room so snacks are always within arm’s reach.
Beverages should also be at arm’s reach and in bottles. Whether you serve wine, juice or sparkling water, place the bottles in a large bowl with ice so guests can help themselves whenever a refill is in order.
Activities: I am a bit of a stinker when it comes to party games at adult parties because they often feel like forced fun. I will gladly make an exception for this coloring station, however. Yes, you read that right: a coloring station for grown-up women. A simple Google search will deliver dozens of coloring pages that are designed for adults to use. You can find entire books for sale or individual pages to print at home for free. This article will tell you more about the benefits of art therapy. Set out some pages and a jar full of colored pencils, and let your girlfriends go to town. You will be surprised at how relaxing your guests will find having something to occupy their hands while you visit.
Party favors: Although this kind of party does not really call for a parting gift, you can encourage your friends to continue their stress relief at home by giving them a small container of homemade lavender-infused oil.
For all the fun you can have getting dressed up and heading out on the town, no-stress get-togethers leave you feeling refreshed instead of amped up.