Host a Ladies Night In That Won’t Stress You Out

No matter how much I love going out to new restaurants or bars, I always come back to the comfort of hosting ladies night at home. It’s one of the best ways to bond with your besties!

While a dinner out may be great with a small group of 3 or 4, hosting at home is the way to go for a larger group. I think the perfect size is 8 to 12 girlfriends.

Why You Should Host Ladies Night At Home

It’s far more relaxing to be in someone’s home than in a noisy restaurant. It’s easier to talk and listen without the noise of the public, and it’s easier to move around from conversation to conversation.

Have you ever been in a restaurant and been stuck talking to the person on your right or left? Or worse – they are engaged in conversations that don’t include you and you’re just sitting there as a spectator. Yeah, ladies night in eliminates that!

When you’re the host you can make the party as large or small as you feel comfortable. Plus you can invite the people YOU want to spend time with. It’s a great way to insure you’re never left out of the conversation.

Set a Simple Tablescape

A seated table may not be absolutely necessary, but it can make a lovely focal point. Here’s how I set a simple table for the girls.

Use fabric right off the bolt to create a table runner. Black and white stripes make a stunning visual base and can be paired with any other color(s). In this case, I’ve used pink and red as complementary colors.

Everyday white dinnerware is appropriate to use. But if you have a black and white combo set, use it here. Placing black napkins on the plates can give give you a similar affect.

Vibrant red roses make a beautiful no-fuss centerpiece on the table. Red is a beautiful complement to black and white, and it looks good with the pink hues.

Table Favors

DIY mini s’mores kit favors are the perfect party favor all year. Place a box on each place setting for guests to take home. Tie them with a tag that says “thank you” or one that has guests’ names on it.

Ladies Night Cocktails 

Setting up the party outside creates a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Build a mini bar by pulling two small tables next to each other for drinks to sit on.

Bring out tables from inside your house and don’t worry about being too ‘matchy’. You can set the food on one table and the cocktails on the other.

For this party I made pomegranate sparkling martinis for the signature cocktail. The red color coordinates with the red roses and the crostini appetizers.

As a bonus, guests can have the option of sipping on straight champagne. Two options are always better than one!

Another option is this red carpet cocktail with vodka and pineapple, or a cherry martini.  

Easy Appetizers

If you’re serving a meal you want your appetizers to be light enough so your guests don’t get too full. I like to prepare a limited quantity of bite-sized appetizers if that’s the case.

However, my favorite way to host the ladies is to create a meal out of appetizers. Here are some good ones to mix and match.

Goat cheese crostini are super easy to make, but very flavorful. These bites are sweet and tangy, with a bright finish, and they coordinate perfectly with this party colors!

Just slice a French baguette into thin slices and toast in the oven at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes or until crisp. Let cool to touch and spread on a layer of goat cheese or cream cheese. Sprinkle the top with pomegranate arils, diced strawberries or roasted grapes, and garnish with fresh chopped herbs.

Presentation is everything when you serve mini portions. I made white cheddar + salami bites and skewered them with rosemary stems. They’re easy to pick up and look fantastic.

Speaking of cheese & salami, turn a party cheese board into a meal to graze on all night. To add to your menu, choose something from our list of appetizers for girls night in. We’ve got dips and spreads, crostini, and more.

My olive tapenade flatbread is just like those they serve in restaurants. And the red peppers match our color scheme. 

This watermelon basil salad is served in mini glasses that work so well for a party. Plus it’s light and refreshing.

Dessert Ideas for Ladies Night

To end the night on a sweet note, try one of these dessert options. Each one was chosen with the party colors in mind so you can coordinate from beginning to end.

• These mini black & white parfaits are my personal favorite for this party.
• My outrageous fudge brownies are a proven winner, and they’re hand held portions make them easy to eat. Plus, you make them ahead for easy hosting.
• On the lighter side, these stuffed strawberries and cream are delicious as an accompaniment to other sweets or great on their own.
• For a little more effort (but still very easy) these strawberry angel food desserts are an excellent choice.

Ladies Night Themes

When you’re hosting girls night in it can be fun to create a theme. It can be as simple as a color, like I’ve done here, or more elaborate with decorations and costumes. It doesn’t really matter as long as your girlfriends know they’re there for a good time. Here are some great ideas for ladies night themes.

• Take advantage of moderate temperatures outdoors set up a wine & cheese ladies night. 
• Everyone will love this ladies night chocolate tasting party; it’s particularly fun during cooler months. A tropical theme party is perfect for summer entertaining.
• Keep it relaxed with a romance movie night at home. So much fun to watch with your besties!
• Don’t forget about the holidays like this Halloween Gothic glam ladies night or this holiday girls night in for Christmas.

So there you have a complete plan ready for hosting ladies night in. Go ahead and send an evite or text to invite some girl friends over! And if you still need convincing here’s an article about why a girls night out is good for you.