Being an only child I was always drawn to groups like The Baby-sitters Club and Best Friends Clubs, and as an “adult” I still long for slumber parties and girls nights. With the prevalence of sororities and female bonding shows like Girlfriends and Sex and the City I find comfort in knowing that I’m not the only one who enjoys sisterly support.
Many of us take our girly gatherings for granted, but time with the girls can contribute to your overall well-being: helping to reduce stress, providing emotional support and extra motivation.
When you’re overwhelmed with your job and you’re tired of forcing a phony smile for your coworkers and boss, what’s better than to convene with your girls who you can shed all of the cordial layers with and just be yourself? Or when you’re fed up fighting with your boo, who just doesn’t get what you’re saying, you need your girls who you can hold a complete conversation without a single word, only grunts and glances. For example:
Girl 1: Spotting a girl whose orange underwear clearly should not be visible through her white pants, “Hmph.” (Translation: Oh no she didn’t! Why didn’t one of her friends tell her that wasn’t a good idea?)
Girl 2: Glances at girl 1, head cocked to the side and eyebrow raised. (Translation: I’m glad you said something because you know I don’t like talking about people.)
Girl 1 and 2: Simultaneous laughter. (Translation: That’s why I love you. You always know exactly what I’m saying.)
No matter what the reason, time with your girls can rejuvenate your spirit and recharge you to face those who don’t really get you once again.
Unlike Joan and Carrie and their respective posses, we do not all have an extensive budget for our social life yet. While a girls night out is always fun, a girls night in can be just as fun and more cost effective. Whip out the calendar and schedule some days for the girls:
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Girls Night Out |
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Girls Night In |
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Dinner and a movie My girls and I already have a night planned for Max Brenner and Sex and the City.
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Invite the girls over to bring a dish and invest in NetFlix or RedBox (DVDs for only $1/day).
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Pamper Party Try martini and a manicure at Beauty Bar, sip while you spa at Dashing Diva, or call SPArties to customize a spa package for you and your girls.
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Call the Mary Kay lady! They do free product demonstrations. I recommend investing in the Satin Hands set for your at-home pampering pleasure.
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Work It Out Try exercise and/or dance classes together. Some places offer free classes for first time customers.
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Pop in a workout DVD and work it out!
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Dance Party Thankfully, for a night out on the town, we ladies have it relatively easy because there are many “Free before __ for Ladies” nights.
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Create a playlist and dance the night away. For you daring souls, try your luck at Dance Dance Revolution (also good for a workout).
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Girlfriend Getaways Plan a trip to LA, NYC, Miami, Tobago, Paris, or wherever. You can find great flight/hotel/car rental packages using sites like Travelocity, Hotwire, Orbitz, Priceline, etc.; Greyhound and Amtrak are also good for a fun day trip, or road trip!
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Visit a far away friend to enjoy the scenery in good company without the hotel costs.
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When life’s too much, make it a Girls Night.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Perfect timing… I’m in the process of planning a girls night right now.
Good to hear!
You should let us know what you all end up doing and how it turns out.
i need to plan one of these with my girls. it’s so hard to get together once we’re outta school.
It’s so true, and we’re not even married with kids yet! I’m taking advantage of the long weekend coming up.
I think it’s a little easier when it’s something habitual, like movie night every other Friday or something like that so even if everybody can’t make it every time at some point everybody can participate. And spreading the word early is important.
Love it! Ladies nights out are great stress relievers.
Ooh, I love these ideas. A couple of friends and I have already planned our Saturday night. It involves seeing Sex and the City: The Movie and dinner afterwards, with the possibility of dancing to come after that.
I can’t wait!
Good to hear Sara!
Just a heads up, you should definitely plan early and buy your tickets in advance if you can because they are selling out shows like crazy!
My friends have a night planned too to go see the movie but we’re going next week to hopefully avoid some of the crazed crowds.