A night out with your girlfriends is fun, but it can get expensive and most certainly result in an unbearable hangover. If you’re long overdue for a catch-up with your friends, why not invite them over for a girls’ night in? From a chick-flick marathon to a spa night, there are many ways to make your night in just as fun as clubbing.
5. Watch a chick flick
Let’s start with the girls’ night in staple: the good old chick flick. Sure, these are not the most ambitious films ever made but did European arthouse cinema ever get you through a break-up? Thought so.
To spare you the frantic scrolling through Netflix, here are some film suggestions for all types of chick flick fans. If you’re feeling nostalgic, watch the rom-com classics like When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and A Funeral, You’ve Got Mail, Bridget Jones’s Diary, or 50 First Dates.
Looking for something more modern? Give new Netflix releases a try: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, Isn’t It Romantic, and Always Be My Maybe.
Pro-tip: If you picked a film just to realise it’s not hosted on British Netflix, try a VPN. Short for Virtual Private Network, VPN lets you bypass geo-blocking and access the Netflix film directory in other countries.
4. Get crafty
Doing crafts together is a guaranteed way to have a good laugh and unleash your inner child. Does anyone in your group have a hidden talent? If you’ve got artsy friends, ask them to prepare a simple workshop for the group. You can even plan a few differently themed crafting nights and take turns to teach each other.
Otherwise, there are plenty of easy adult crafts ideas online. You can make your own scented candles, try decoupaging old furniture, or continue with the home spa theme and make a DIY soap. Whichever you pick, make sure to get all the ingredients beforehand and budget enough time to complete the masterwork.
3. Make your own face masks
No need to go to Lush this time – you and your friends are making organic face masks at home. DIY face masks are surprisingly easy to make and a lot cheaper than store-bought products. Not to mention all the fun involved.
For dry skin treatment, mash half an avocado with half a banana, then add one tablespoon of plain yoghurt and a teaspoon of money. Apply to your face and leave for ten minutes before rinsing off.
Got an acne-prone skin? Try mixing a tablespoon of cooled down oatmeal with two spoons of milk and a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon. Oats have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can help prevent breakouts.
Pro-tip: If you have any face mask leftovers, store them in the fridge and use within a few days.
2. Stage a cooking competition
Is your friend group obsessed with Bake Off? How about MasterChef? If yes, you can turn your night in into your own cooking competition. Ask your friends to bring their signature dish or bake and spend the night tasting away. If you want to get really serious about the cook-off, you can prepare awards or medals for the winners.
If your friends are not the competitive type, wine and fondue is always an excellent idea. Invest in a cheap melting pot and shop around for cheese fondue recipes online. The good part is that you can easily make your fondue vegetarian by sticking to veggies and bread or even vegan by replacing cheese with chickpeas or cashews.
1. Sing your hearts out
Every girl-only party inevitably ends with an impromptu karaoke session. So why not step up your game and throw an epic karaoke party?
Old-school karaoke machines have their charm, but they spend most time collecting dust in the attic. Instead of getting a heavy machine, download karaoke software like KaraFun, StarMaker or Karaoke Version that you can use on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Want to go even more pro? Invest in a mic or two. A budget microphone will only set you back around £15 and it will allow you to record all the performances in high quality (for better or for worse). And don’t forget the most important ingredient of a good karaoke party – wine, loads of wine.