Getting together with your favorite ladies is always a win, but even it though it leaves your hearts feeling full, it can also leave your purse feeling empty. Instead of avoiding the cost with a never-ending stream of empty "We should hang out sometime!" messages, please feel free to steal some of our favorite budget-friendly girls' nights.
1. Retro Slumber Party
As a 90's kid, I know exactly what this means to me: butterfly clips and scrunchies, denim, my 90's greatist hits playlist, and watching movies like Clueless and Spice World while nomming homemade Dunkaroos. Whatever your favorite trends, snacks, movies, or music from your childhood may be, take a break from your adult life for a night and just remember the good ol' days.
2. Groupon Adventure
Sites like Groupon and Living Social can make a wider range of activities fit in your budget. Take a look at what's being offered aroud the area (and see if you have a local coupon site as well), but be sure to heed this one rule: it MUST be something new. Some things I've done in the past include a wine tasting at a local vineyard, watching an improv comedy show, and indoor skydiving (FYI: I was terrible.)
3. Board Games & Booze
Okay, I'm a little biased here, but hear me out: board games are the perfect low-cost and low-key option to have tons of fun with groups of any size. Plus, there are hundreds of options to choose from! In addition to your classic party games like Apples to Apples or Taboo, there are adventure games, mystery games, strategy games, and more. Why not spend your girls' night kicking ass and taking names as a team of female warriors in a board game based on real women in history? Or working together to analyze clues and solve a shocking and thrilling mystery? Most women haven't ventured into these types of story-rich board games, which is a shame, because they totally should. (So do it!)
4. Pinterest Party
Is your Pinterest board full of hundreds of cute and creative crafts that you totally want to make but probably never will? (If not, you're dfinitely not pinning enough) It's tough to make the time on your own to let your creative juices flow, but girls' night can is the perfect opportunity to tackle a project while having your besties help clean up the modge podge and glitter. Before the night, have the group pick 1-2 projects to create together (or have everyone pick their own if you've got enough time and space), decide who will get what materials, and be sure to have enough space to fit your masterpieces. (Or, sometimes preferably, your #PinterestFails)
5. Fancy Dinner
This is a tradition I've had with my old high school gang for years; we all get together at someone's home for a home-cooked meal, with the goal of being as *fancy* as possible. Formal attire is a must– pull out that old bridesmaid's gown you only wore once or that silky red dress that you look ah-may-zing in, but never have an opportunity to wear. Wear your dangliest earrings, your sparkliest bracelet, or even a tiara if you're feelin' it. The meal should be served on the nicest dishes you have access to, including champagne flues or wine glasses (even if you're only drinking water.) Everyone can chip in for the cost of the food, or you could split up the dishes potluck style. What you eat is up to you, but we suggest trying to make the fare on the fancy side (roasted chicken can be plenty fancy, but chilli cheese dogs might be a miss.) Get ideas from your girls for any other "fancy" rules– do you need to sip with your pinky up? Should classical music play? Will you put on posh accents or refer to each other as "Ms."? Have (fancy) fun with it!
