Um, adulting is seriously no fun. The grown-up world can be tough and nobody warned us. From paying bills, and chores, to trying to balance work with a social life, the list of duties goes on.
But there are some *really* cool parts too. Like, for example inviting all the girls around and playing hostess at the best girls’ night in/grown-up sleepover EVERRRR.
We’re talking delish nibbles, mocktails that deserve an IG story, games that have us doubled over in stitches and at-home spa services. All in one night. We’ve curated a list of *everything* you’re gonna need to host a GNI that your besties will never wanna leave.
Send out those pretty little invites
Girls’ night just wouldn’t be complete without sending out those cutesy digital invites. Yep, those invites you’ve seen all over your Pinterest feed are actually possible with a little help from our good old friend Canva! If you haven’t ever used Canva – hello?! Here’s our step-by-step simple guide to follow.
Step 1: Create a new design and select from one of the hundreds of pretty templates that are available online. Atm we love bows, cherries, disco balls and cowboy boots.
Step 2: Add in all the important deets like time, place (your crib duh) and any dress code like pyjamas.
Step 3: Download your design and send to guests! It’s as simple as that. If your besties weren’t excited before, then they will be now!
Create the perfect set-up
I’m sorry but it just isn’t a party without some adorable decor to totally elevate your space. After all, you want to host a girls’ night that nobody can stop talking about, right? Keep it simple but focus on the table design (which will probably be where you’ll spend most of the night). Add a few vases with some fresh flowers and then add some aesthetic tableware and vintage cocktail glasses.
If you need some help, here’s the best in the biz:
Hosting is simplified by Pick A Party, the event company handles everything for your soirée, from curating the perfect tablescape to suit your vibe. They’ll bring everything from candles to glassware to fresh flowers.
If it’s been a busy few weeks and the gang just needs to sit back and relax, a home movie setup might be the perfect idea. Wicked the movie is out so you just need to add popcorn and kick those heels off.
For those blessed with outdoor space, picture the most adorable set-up in your garden with twinkling fairy lights all around you and your gal pals. Oh, and you don’t even have to lift a finger because they’ll do it all for you.
If the gals wanna stay and make a night of it, Dream Party provide the most beautiful luxury slumber party set-ups in Dubai, including luxury teepees that just look like you’ll have the most fun. And yup, they cater to us big kids too.
Grab a mocktail
Ok rule #1: the hostess with the mostess will always have a chilled drink waiting for her guests on arrival. That’s when you know girls’ night has really started. Cosmo ME have some of the best mocktail recipes on the planet to give you all the inspo. Optional finishing touches to elevate your sip of choice:
Step 1: Gather a selection of vintage glasses in all shapes and sizes so you know whose glass is whose.
Step 2: Tie a little silk ribbon around the glass which actually make those drinks taste even better.
Step 3: Add edible flowers in rainbow colours to the drink to make them look incredibly pretty.
Girls, it’s boomerang time! “In then out, or out then in?!”
Vibe check playlist
Alexa, play Slumber Party core, volume max. Get the vibes going with a perfectly curated playlist to create the ultimate soundtrack for your night. Make a shared playlist and send it in the group chat a week before the party, asking everyone to add in their fave bops so you all have a turn with the aux. Here are some of the albums we’ll be playing on repeat.
Woledto by Elyanna
From Gaza With Love by Saint Levant
Short ‘n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
Glow up rituals
The girls are staying put today. We’re not putting shoes on, we’re not even moving from the sofa tbh. And with that said, the spa is coming to us in the comfort of our own home with these cosy in-home spa rituals. Who’s up first?
Slumber party package includes a 60-minute massage, a 30-minute facial and a box of treats. Dhs600 per person.
Deep tissue massage or hot oil relaxation massage? Take your pick and transport yourself to the spa without moving a muscle.
State-of-the-art treatments in your own living room, it can’t get more convenient than this! Skin 111 offers medical-grade facials like the Glow-to-go or the 24K Magic Gold facial if you’re feeling generous, so you’ll wake up looking like you haven’t just stayed up till 2am babbling.
Craft and yap
Yeah, we’re not scrolling tn. In fact, our phones are on DND because we are getting creative with a side of deep meaningful chats. Some of our fave ideas include journalling your best memories together, making trinkets out of air-drying clay or matching lipgloss charms and painting pretty candle sticks that you’ll wanna cherish 4ever. Ok fine, you can make a TikTok.
Craft yourselves matching friendship charm bracelets or bag chains from the comfort of your own home with The Charms Atelier’s mobile charms cart. Perfect for a pool party because all the charms are waterproof!
If ending the week by pressing play on a relaxing soundtrack and creating some sustainable eco-resin art is your thing, then we have the perfect at-home workshop for you. Create a pressed flower frame for your guests to take home or a decoden brush and mirror.
2025 is the year we start something and we stick to it. If you have always wanted to try your hand at macramé or punch needling, you can do it with your closest girls and some expert guidance from The Boho Madness.
Hire a home chef
Yes you can cook, but can you create exquisite fine-dining dishes that all look identical, Instagrammable and taste like heaven? Prolly not. The worst thing about having the gang over is having to spend time in the kitchen washing the dishes, instead of catching up on the PowerPoint pres updates we may or may not have created! DW about the dishes for one night and let someone else take over your kitchen with their creativity and expertise.
Luxury private fine dining awaits, like veggie mousse in toasted milk bread or seared steak with potatoes.
For the simple things you can’t perfect yourself, like oysters with a kick, or salmon with honey-glazed carrots.
Peruvian deliciousness like fresh ceviche and maki rolls.
We have an extensive list of fab home chefs here. Yes, chef!
Girl dinner aka platters
Unwritten rule: all parties require a theme. Lately, we’ve been loving bring-a-board parties where the girlies bring a themed board and present them to the gang. Y’know those aesthetic platters all over your FYP? Think a vibrant display of colours, fruity goodness, cookie dough or candy. The options are actually endless.
How about DIY-ing a fun board yourself or you can get one delivered straight to your doorstep? 🤠Sorry for giving your followers FOMO x
Made with love and the best quality cheese in the region, The Cheeseroom’s bespoke platters will not only make your IG stories look lit, but your BFF’s will be able to nibble on these picky bits all night long.
An array of premium cheeses, gourmet nuts, in house made gourmet dips, handcrafted cheese balls, and fresh fruits. The selection is infinite and suits our fussy friendship group.
This Dubai-based company creates ‘food boards that are also mood boards’. The options are actually endless.
You have all the ingredients to host a special girls’ night, so now you can just enjoy the yap session.
When you wake up, grab breakfast at these go-to spots to continue your yap sesh.