Whether it’s down to the cold weather or the fact that we’re always a little bit broke after Christmas, we’re just not into the idea of going out much in January. Instead, we’re all about girls’ nights in (because what’s better than ordering pizza and catching up with our besties?). If you fancy hosting your own get-together with the ladies but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in luck; our girls’ night in ideas will turn the staunchest bar-hopper in your group into a pyjama-loving homebody.
Play Games
Bring a healthy dose of competition to your ‘do with these girls’ night in games:
- Truth or dare – the game we all fell in love with at school – is still just as fun. Plus, it’s a great way for everyone to get up to date with the latest goss.
- Sometimes, only a board game will do. Whether you go for a classic like Monopoly (warning: it’ll take up most of your evening) or something a more modern like Watch Ya’ Mouth (we’ve all seen the videos), board games are a great way to bring everyone together – as long as there’re no sore losers!
- Whether you’re music masterminds or pop culture connoisseurs, flex your brain muscles with a quiz. You can either create your own or dig out some pre-made quiz cards (almost everyone has at least one set hidden somewhere in the house).
- If you’re up for a boozy night in with your girls, get the party started with a Prosecco Pong tournament. Split the group into two teams and take turns throwing a ping pong ball into one of six (plastic) glasses of Prosecco. Every time someone manages to get the ball in a glass, the other team has to drink from it. Carry on playing until one team’s glasses are completely empty, then refill the glasses and do it all over again – it’s up to you how many rounds constitutes a tournament!
- Ever heard of the Post-it game? All you need are some pens and Post-its to hand (and a few players of course). Simply get each participant to take a sticky note and secretly write down the name of a celebrity – dead or alive – on it. Each person must then turn to the right, placing their note onto the forehead of whoever they’re facing. By asking questions with yes or no answers, each player has to work out the name on their sticky note/forehead.
Host a Movie Night
If you’re looking for a more relaxed evening, there’s nothing better than a movie night. Thanks to streaming services, you can binge all night long (on films and snacks). In honour of your girls’ night, chick flicks always go down well; but it really depends on what you fancy. Find something you all agree on and cosy up on the sofa. You’ll need blankets, a large bowl of popcorn and access to takeaway food. It’s what nights in were made for.
Pamper Yourselves
Who doesn’t love a spa night? Bring the experience home and make your girls feel like the Queens they are with a few pampering face masks. You could take turns giving each other manicures too. After all, the only thing that’s better than beauty treatments are beauty treatments when your friends are there to keep you company; forget small talk with professionals, it’s all about giggling with the girls instead (whilst trying to stop your face mask from peeling off!).
Fancy creating your own? These DIY face masks are made from everyday ingredients that you’ll find in your kitchen. Each recipe will make enough for at least four masks; double or halve your ingredients where necessary.
Coco Hydration Mask
With hydrating avocado, skin-soothing cocoa (it’s a natural antioxidant) and honey – which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties – this dreamy mix smells good enough to eat!
- Mash 1 avocado in a bowl
- Add 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 4 tablespoons of honey, mixing well.
- Apply the mask (to a clean, makeup-free face) and leave for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
Blemish-Fighting Oatmeal Mask
Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant with anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s ideal if you’ve got blemish-prone skin. And like honey, lemon is antibacterial; it’s great for tackling acne and blackheads. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic that’s known to treat blemishes too.
- Put 6 tablespoons of ground oats in a bowl.
- Mix the oats with 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 6 tablespoons of honey and 8 drops of tea tree essential oil.
- Apply the mixture to your face, leaving it for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove with warm water.
Exfoliating Brown Sugar Scrub
This gentle exfoliator contains just two natural ingredients, but it’ll leave your face feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
- Add 4 tablespoons of honey and 4 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl.
- Mix together well.
- Wash your face and apply to wet skin. Gently massage in a circular motion for the best results.
- Rinse your face and pat dry. Follow with your usual moisturiser.
Get Baking
You know that baking is officially cool when Noel Fielding is co-hosting Bake Off. So, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, hold off on those Oreo cookies and rustle up some sweet treats instead. If you’re looking for culinary inspiration, start with one of these simple cupcake recipes:
Basic Cupcakes
Ingredients (Makes 24 Cupcakes):
- 250g unsalted butter (softened)
- 250g caster sugar
- 250g self-raising flour
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons of milk
- A pinch of salt
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven, setting it to 190 °C (gas mark 5).
- Mix the butter and sugar in a bowl, beating it until softened.
- Add the flour, salt, eggs and milk, and whisk until smooth.
- Spoon into individual paper cases (laid in a muffin tin).
- Place in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool before decorating.
Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
Ingredients (Makes 12 Cupcakes):
- 150g dairy-free margarine
- 225g caster sugar
- 150g dairy-free yoghurt
- 150ml dairy-free milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 300g self-raising flour
- 5 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (gas mark 4).
- Beat the margarine and sugar together in a bowl.
- Add the yoghurt, milk and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda. Fold in slowly.
- Divide the mixture, spooning it into individual paper cases.
- Put in the oven and bake for up to 20 minutes.
Turn the Music Up & Dance
Staying in doesn’t have to mean chilling out. If you’re in the mood to dance but don’t fancy dealing with lengthy queues, aching feet (oh, the torture of heels!) and bolshie doormen, why not throw a party of your own? In the true spirit of girls’ night, it should be a pretty relaxed affair; more of a gathering, if you will. Get your girls round, pop open the Prosecco, put on your favourite playlist and dance. Oh, and don’t forget; it’s a heel-free zone when you’re at home. Whatever happens, you might still wake up with your makeup on – but at least your feet won’t be killing you!
