Christmas? Too far away. B-days? Done that. Sounds like it might be time to get the squad back together for a GNI (that’s girls night in).
Tbh, your besties deserve to be celebrated, even when there’s no special occasion. From assigning a dress code to handing out silly friendship awards and capturing the memories on a disposable camera, here’s how to turn your weekend into an IG-worthy event. Candy, crafts and your crew? Yes, pls!
Dress to impress
A dress code instantly makes your hang feel more elevated. Pick a fun aesthetic for your squad that’ll get the GC buzzing. You could go the pajama-party route with matching fuzzy socks, opt for a monochrome aesthetic where everyone wears a different color or channel your onscreen icons by dressing up in fits that make you feel like you’ve just had the ultimate glow-up (think Gossip Girl B and S’s plaid skirts and headbands).
Decorations
Hosting outdoors? Lean into a picnic aesthetic with gingham blankets, flowers and strawberries. Make a matching Canva invite and send it to the GC (bcs in girl logic, if the invite’s cute, the party will be too).
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You don’t need an extravagant budget to make your space vibey. Grab a roll of brown craft paper from the craft store to use as a rustic table runner, then leave out metallic Sharpies so your crew can doodle directly on the table. Hang up some simple streamers or prep a photo backdrop using colorful fringe. Pro tip: Setting out a few cheap disposable cameras on the table doubles as retro decor and the ultimate mem-maker!
Activities
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The main event? Your very own bestie awards ceremony! Write out silly, hyper-specific superlative awards for each of your friends (think: Most Likely to Send a 10-Minute Voice Note, Resident Aux Cord DJ or Most Likely to Overthink a Crush Text). Cut out paper stars or snag some mini trophies from the dollar store, then hand them out before dessert.
Once you’ve dished out the awards, set out colorful stationery, stickers and gel pens for an “Open When…” letter swap. Everyone writes a letter for another friend in the group, with prompts like Open when you need a confidence boost, Open after your hardest exam or Open when you miss me. Decorate the envelopes before sealing them up—it’s a sweet keepsake that’ll last longer than your ice cream sundaes (more on that in a sec…).
Must-Have Snacks
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We love any excuse for a sweet treat—and a bestie bash calls for delish desserts. Turn dessert into part of the entertainment by setting up a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar. Set out vanilla and chocolate ice cream alongside bowls of sprinkles (you can *never* have too many rainbow sprinkles), chocolate chips, crushed cookies, fresh berries and whipped cream, then let everyone create their dream combo. Bonus points if you top it all off with maraschino cherries (because everything’s cuter with a cherry on top).
Be sure to put out some savory snacks as well, like pretzels, chips and guac or a veggie tray to balance out all the sugary treats.
Plan for IG pics
It’s finally time to show off all your hard work on your Insta feed! Gather your squad with your disposable cameras or phones ready. Need a cute caption to go with your photo dump? Peep our faves below:
✨ Sundaes, cherries and my whole heart
✨ *Officially* renewing our bestie contracts
✨ The plan that made it out of the GC
Before everyone heads home, make a shared photo album so your whole crew can upload their fave snaps from the day. Between the pictures, awards and “Open When…” letters, you’ll have plenty to look back on when the nostalgia hits.
Promised you’d host the next hangout but no clue where to start? DW girl, we’ve got you:
🎉 How To Throw The Perfect Heartstopper Finale Watch Party
🎉 Host The Ultimate Pool Party This Summer
🎉 Here’s How To Plan A Birthday Your Bestie Will Never Forget
Images: @brittramjit, @ali.knutson, @michelechung_, @koshellaine2.o
