How to host the perfect slumber party

So it's that time of year again where we all comment on how fast the year has gone, moan that summer is over whilst buzzing about oversized jumpers, the John Lewis advert and Saturday night television - joy! However, its not all doom & gloom... whilst some of us convince ourselves its now to cold to venture outside the house and be sociable under any circumstances (personally I'd be up for a night out in the middle of the Antarctic with a Spotify playlist and a bottle of wine but hey ho) and others search desperately for a snuggle buddy this winter - eww- here's a way to still be socialable with the girls, in the comfort of your home with as much wine and pizza as you desire. Before you read on, you must agree that you are never too old for a slumber party - at all - ever - us girls do not need that kind of negativity in our lives.

1. Set a Date
 May seem pretty basic but I know me and the girls struggle to even have a convo on WhatsApp together let alone be in the same place at the same time with life being so busy and crazy these days. Pick a date you can all do, whack it in the diary & don't let each other forget (not that you will because you'll all be so buzzing with excitement that you get to relive your teenage years!)

2. Choose A Crib
The most obvious being somewhere with little interruptions - there's nothing worse than constantly pausing a film to answer the door or replying to your mum who's moaning because you didn't take the chicken out of the freezer five hours ago for tomorrows roast - snore. Somewhere you are free to gossip until your jaws ache & relive drunken stories from that girls holiday three years ago without any chance of potential judgement through earwigging or over hearing  - What happens in Magaluf stays in Magaluf until you all get together, get pissed & die with laughter at your disgustingness (Sorry girls). Finally, somewhere with room for that massive pillow fight you always end up having whilst dressed in your underwear - yawn - just to clarify to all males - this never happens (as far as I'm aware) If only you saw what we really get up to - well my lot anyway - straight tens all round.

3. Hostess with the mostess
Nothing says 'Slumber Party' more than shed loads of shit food & drink which could possibly give you diabetes, help put on half a stone & question the practicality of you even having a gym membership anymore. Of course all this food is even MORE appealing when it comes in the cutest little sleepover snack trays....

 

 

Cheap and easy to do, these little snack trays make you feel like you're on a cute cinema trip but manage to avoid paying £6.54 for a Snickers. Take a foil tray and wrap in girly wrapping paper of your choice. I managed to grab some bargains on this occasion but of course it all depends on your budget and how much you actually like your friends... Just kidding... but even filling up plastic cups or shoving it all in together will look just as good! The popcorn holders are from The Range and were just 69p each (Bargain!) and are washable so you can use them as often as you like - plus they are the cutest things ever - great for Netflix and Chill... *awkward silence*... The little ice cream pots were also from The Range and were just £1 for 8 & they include the little scoop as well - not reusable but who cares at that price. The pots of candy floss were from the 99p store - clue is in the name for the price - and the pack included three of them. The drinks were just in plastic pint glasses (stay classy girls) with pretty pink straws with a load of sweets chucked in the trays to fill the gaps! For the personal touch, don't forget the little name tags on each one, for which I used simple, red Christmas present tags and wrote the girls names onto them. I also got some cupcakes for a cupcake tower, party rings and cookies for the biscuit pot and pretzels to make it even more American and for us all to snack on whilst eating our snack trays and waiting for the pizza to arrive - Diet starts Monday.

 

 Easy peasy to do, really effective and you can add as much or as little as you want!

Check out 'The Range' website here!

4. Set the scene - Cringe
Ok, so I may have gotten a little carried away on Pinterest but judging by the Facebook likes and the feedback, it worked, when it came to making my living room look all cute, cosy and girly ready for the sleepover. I pushed the sofa back to make more room and covered it and the floor in duvets, blankets, pillows and cushions to make the comfiest bed/chill spot ever - if I could get away with it being like that all the time - I so would. Throw some fairy lights and candles in the mix and its simple but perfect. (Remember to extinguish the candles before you go to sleep - major fire hazard)

(How Cute!?)

 

 

5. Entertainment
We did aim to watch films and play Twister but realistically we drank wine, ate food and constantly gossiped whilst attempting to shame each other playing 'I have never'.. it never works. Of course, mix things up to suit you but why not pick a theme? Have a night of chick flicks/ rom coms, scare yourselves senseless and have a horror film night and change the décor to help set the scene, or if you feel like it's time for a cry then whack on The Notebook, grab some tissues and question why you haven't found the love of your life and lived happily ever after yet.

Extra Tips:

• To make it feel slightly more adult like - being a grown up sucks though - add in some cocktail making. Grab some recipes from Pinterest and see who can make the best cocktail and get the most pissed (Do not share a bed with this person - accident waiting to happen)
• Order loads of pizza! Even if you don't eat it, that's lunch and dinner sorted for the hostess for the next 3 days - Buzzing
• Pyjamas are a must or you're not allowed in - make it a rule that pyjamas must be worn at all times - Get with the theme guys
• Be prepared to be hovering up popcorn for up to six days after the slumber party as it gets everywhere. Either that or I have the messiest friends in the world - its a possibility.
• To stop you being out of pocket and living on super noodles for the rest of the month - ask the girls to contribute by chucking a couple pounds your way or by each bringing something such as popcorn, cake etc.

So there we go, some quick tips on how to not become a depressed winter victim this year and still socialise with the girls without having to face any drunkards downtown and potentially without an awful hangover.. that's up to you. Enjoy and let me know how you get on!

Love M i c h a e l a  x