How to throw an epic sleepover in your 20s
Don’t we all love reminiscing about sleepovers from when we were 13 years old? You know, the ones where everyone would play games like “light as a feather,” sneak candy and junk food into their basements, make up dances to TLC music videos (or attempt to copy the dance moves, and always end up with a less-exciting collaboration). Those were the days of all-night sugar-fueled excellent friendship bonding times. But guess what? Just because you’re in your twenties doesn’t mean you can’t throw a rad sleepover. In fact, it could be kind of the best because, well, you can drink cocktails now and everyone can buy their own candy. So why not have a group of your besties over for a throwback twenties sleepover? Here are some ways how to do it.
Get your streaming queue on lock
Romantic comedies from the ’80s and ’90s are a great shortcut to a good time, and to call on some nostalgia from your younger years. Clueless? Yes. Now and Then? Yes. Sixteen Candles? Pretty Woman? Yes. and yes. Spice World? Hell yes. And that doesn’t even touch the stockpile of newer offerings like Mean Girls, Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and The Holiday. (Jude Law, can you just marry me already?)
Make s’mores over a grill (because why not?)
I have what some might call a “s’mores obsession.” So, I was at this restaurant once where s’mores were on the dessert menu, and I of course was very curious as to what that entailed, so my friend and I ordered it. We were so hyped when we saw the waiter bring out a little hibachi grill alongside a plate of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. So I highly recommend trying this. And in a pinch, you can always just pop those marshmallows in the oven to get them all melty. It might not have that campfire glow, but it’s good for a twenty-something apartment life.
Why hello margaritas
If you and your compadres are all of age, there’s no reason that you can’t spice up the night with some cocktails. So when I think of the best drinks for a girls night, I automatically go to the area in my brain that holds all of the Sex and the City episodes and I think cosmopolitans. If you want to avoid the not-so-great hangover effects of those sugary, delicious treats, you can always opt for good old-fashioned lemonade. And there’s always wine. Did we mention wine?
Have a mini-spa-makeover sesh
I feel like we all did this when we were 13-year-olds, and it was awesome. Thankfully now, there is that lovely site called Pinterest where you can find endless ideas for DIY face masks, mani-pedi designs, how to do the best smokey eye, face contouring, etc. Oh, and not to mention that you can find any natural DIY recipe to cure anything on your body. So whip up some brown sugar coconut scrub and test it out with your girls.
Board games, video games and dance parties
I may be the only one who goes thrift shopping for old-school board games, but when you come across that game of Mall Madness or Dream Phone in the $4.00 board game isle, the excitement is indescribable. Connect with your BFFs to see who has which games still from when they were kids. Plus you can rock some throwback video games like MarioKart and Super Smash Brothers. Or throw some Lady Gaga on during or after the games to have yourself an epic dance party. Who doesn’t love dancing with your girls? Plus, we all rock at multi-tasking…so we could absolutely complete all of these activities at once.
Crostinis. Enough said.
Have you ever had a crostini? They are amazing little pieces of crispy bread, that you can top with basically anything. One of my girlfriends and I made them once and topped them with goat cheese and black olives. Another time I made them and put a garlic/tomato topping on it so it was similar to bruschetta. You can literally make any duo or trio you would like and it will taste epic. Goat cheese and figs; cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers; sour cream and sweet potato; kale and prosciutto—the possibilities are endless, and you will feel like a BOSS making them. Plus, such convenient finger food!
Build a fort
YES. Forts are the best. One of the first things I asked my boyfriend when we moved into our new house a few months ago was if we could turn one of the spare rooms into a pillow fort room (I’ll get my way soon enough). And when you are having a sleepover, it is the best excuse to build that perfect fort that surrounds your tv and gives you ample room inside for pillows, blankets, snacks, iPhones and whatever else suits your fancy. The bonus of doing this as an adult? You might have a friend who is in architecture or design, and knows how to make that fort better than you could imagine.
Temporary tattoos, friendship bracelets and glow-in-the-dark goodies
These are easy activities for a laid-back slumber party. I know I’m not the only one who wants to try out those gold temporary tattoos, and wear glow lights around my neck again. And take it from someone who makes friendship bracelets on the reg: there are super simple ways to make them that take you less than 5 minutes each. Plus, you can have them as souvenirs of your awesome time together.
Morning Waffle Bar
Breakfast can always be a bit daunting when you have a bunch of friends over. Here’s an ideas for an easy but fun breakfast: a waffle bar. All you have to do is make the waffles, and have a bunch of random toppings set out for your girlfriends to choose from. Think big: nutella, berries, whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips, a dozen different syrups, more whipped cream (okay, my Leslie Knope is coming out now). But you get the idea. Just go crazy and have fun with it! Your friends will be stoked and will go home with happy tummies.
Now go forth and throw a sleepover! We know it’ll be just as fun now (if not more) as it was when you were a teenager.
