Article by Sarah Dupuis, Photos by Alyssa Montoya

So maybe it’s been a long week and it’s only Wednesday. Maybe you’ve been stressing way too much over that crush of yours. Maybe there’s a global pandemic going on, during which you can’t exactly go for a night out. The best solution to this is to call your girlfriends (one to two close ones— we’re practicing social distancing!) and invite them over for some much needed girl time. As much fun as going out can be, sometimes a night in with your girls is hard to beat. There’s something about a GNI that brings you back to the days of crazy sleepovers and laughing all night long. Here are five fun ideas for the perfect girls’ night in:

1. Movie Night

Throw on your cute PJs and grab the ice cream. Gather around the couch with your friends and turn on your favorite movie. Lock your phone away so you can be present and in the moment. Get in your rom-com mood with a movie like “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” or transport yourself to the streets of Manhattan with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and r-e-l-a-x.

2. Bon Appetit

Bring out your inner chef and whip up something delicious! Share your favorite recipes with your friends, like your aesthetically pleasing charcuterie board. You can also set up a mini ice cream sundae bar by putting out a variety of ice cream flavors and some fun toppings. Who can’t resist some thoses Reese’s? Whatever you don’t finish, save for a late-night snack.

3. Rejuvenate

Make some hot to tea and relax with some face masks. Stock up on face masks from your local beauty store beforehand, and take this moment with your friends to slow down and freshen up. This is a perfect opportunity to not only rejuvenate your skin, but catch up with your girls as well while you wait for the mask to set in.

4. Get crafty

Get creative with your friends by making a DIY craft. A super easy and inexpensive one would be decorating a mini pot, for example. These can be used for succulents or small house plants. This allows everyone to get creative and it’s a perfect souvenir to remember the night. All you need are tiny pots from your local craft store and some white or colored paint pens!

5. Dance party

Turn off all the lights and crank the bass all the way up. Turn on that one throwback playlist that gets everyone dancing and dance around the room like it’s 2012. Maybe make a few Tik-Toks while you’re at it! Nights like these are meant to be light and carefree, so don’t be afraid to show off your best moves.

Remember, at the end of the night it comes down to having fun and spending quality time with your best friends! There is never a little harm in having late nights filled with endless laughing with those you care about most. It is during these moments that we allow our worries to escape and we feel truly present.

The Girl's Night In You Need Rn