10 Girls Night In Ideas: Paint & Sip, Puzzles, and Other Fun Activities

Some of the best nights happen at home. There are no reservations to make, no dress code to worry about, and no one watching the clock. It's just your closest friends, a few good snacks, and something fun to do together. If your group keeps landing at the same restaurant every month, these girls night ideas bring everyone back to the living room for an evening that feels easy and special at the same time. Grab a girlfriend (or five) and get something on the calendar.

Below are ten ways to spend the evening, plus tips on setting the scene, picking a theme, and what to wear.

Set the Scene Before Everyone Arrives

A great night in doesn't take much planning. A few small touches make your space feel ready for company.

• Light a few candles about an hour before guests arrive

• Swap plastic cups for real stemware, which makes any weeknight feel like a special occasion

• Build a charcuterie board with cheeses, crackers, fruit, and a little chocolate on a serving board

• Add extra throws and pillows so everyone has a cozy spot

1. Host a Paint & Sip Night

A paint and sip is a fun idea for groups who want a creative activity without the pressure of being "good at art." Pour a glass, put on a playlist, and let everyone paint at her own pace.

Watercolor workbooks make this easy. Each page comes lightly sketched, so guests just add color. Our Do It Yourself collection carries workbooks in themes like Bouquets, Garden, Seaside, and Baking, plus an Elseware Paint Brush Set to share. For a hometown twist, the Chicago Skyline DIY Kit comes with paints, a brush, and a sketch included.

The best part? Everyone goes home with a finished piece to frame or tuck into a card.

2. Piece Together a Puzzle

Puzzles are made for a relaxed night. Spread one out on the coffee table and conversation flows while hands stay busy. This a great pick for groups that include newer friends.

Choose a 500-piece puzzle for a single relaxed evening, or go big with 1,000 pieces and keep it going over a few get-togethers. Our Games, Puzzles & Playing Cards collection has picks with a built-in theme, including the Wine Tasting 500 Piece Puzzle and the Let's Play Mahjong Puzzle for the mahjong fans in your circle.

3. Plan a Game Night

A good game night brings out everyone's competitive side in the best way. Classic board games like Scrabble or Clue always work, but party games with a twist keep the energy up.

Try Cocktail Hour Trivia for a mix of mixology and pop culture questions, or a deck of Cocktail Playing Cards that pairs card games with drink recipes. For extra fun, hand out a small prize to the winner of each round. Keep snacks and a stack of cocktail napkins at the table so no one has to leave mid-game.

4. Treat Yourselves to a Spa Night

A spa night is the perfect way to unwind after a busy week. Ask each guest to bring her favorite beauty product to share, then set up a station with a face mask for everyone, hand cream, and warm towels.

Browse our Skin Care and Bath & Body collections for masks, lotions, and soaks. Swapping notes on the one beauty product everyone swears by is half the fun. Add an essential oil diffuser from our Candles & Diffusers collection and a pair of cozy slippers, and no one will want to leave.

5. Host a Wine Tasting at Home

You don't need a sommelier to host a wine tasting. Here's a simple way to set one up:

1. Choose a theme, like bottles from one region or everything under $20.

2. Cover the labels with paper bags or foil so no one knows which is which.

3. Pour small tastes, about two to three ounces, working from light to rich.

4. Pair each pour with a few bites from the cheese board.

5. Reveal the labels and crown the group favorite.

Matching glasses help everyone compare side by side, so this is a good excuse to add to your stemware collection.

6. Shake Up a Signature Cocktail

Give the evening its own drink. Pick a signature cocktail (or mocktail!) that matches your party theme, like a cranberry spritz in fall or a lemon drop in summer, and let guests mix their own.

A few bar tools and a book from our Recipe & Cocktail Books collection are all you need. Offer a zero-proof version too so every girlfriend can join the toast.

7. Throw a Movie Night Marathon

Have each friend nominate one of her favorite movies, then draw from a hat. Movie night is easy to theme, too. Try rom-coms, a '90s throwback lineup, or the movies you all watched at sleepovers growing up.

Pile the couch with blankets, pop a big bowl of popcorn, and set out candy for anyone with a sweet tooth. It's the most low-key of all the girls' nights you can host, and a relaxed night on the couch often ends up being the group's favorite girls night of the year.

8. Start a Book Club

A book club gives your group a built-in reason to get together every month, and it's the perfect opportunity to try titles you might never pick up on your own. Rotate who chooses and who hosts. Keep the conversation casual by asking everyone to share her favorite thing about the book.

Browse our Books collection for your next pick, and keep a notepad from Stationary & Pens nearby for jotting down quotes.

9. Try a Craft Night

If painting isn't everyone's thing, a craft night with a few options lets each friend choose her own fun activity. Set up a table with a mix of projects.

• Coloring books like All Booked Up

• The Crochet Cafe kit, with yarn and patterns for tiny cakes and donuts

• Paintable notecards you can mail to someone special

• A floral doodling handbook for anyone who likes to sketch

Craft night works well for mixed-age groups. Moms, daughters, and grandmas can all find something they enjoy.

10. Host a Potluck With a Twist

Ask everyone to bring her favorite dish, then pick a party theme to tie it together. Think family recipes, Italian food, or appetizers only. It takes pressure off the host and is a fun way to trade recipes. Set the table with serving bowls and platters so every dish looks as good as it tastes.

What to Wear to a Girls Night In

A night in is the best time to be comfortable, but that doesn't mean you can't look cute. Amy, owner of Edie Boutique, describes the Edie look as "jeans and a cute top." Pair your favorite denim with a soft sweater, add a stack of bracelets, and you're ready to host. For a night of face masks and movies, loungewear is always the right call.

Our team would love helping you find an outfit for your next girls' night. Stop by one of our eight Edie locations and we'll pull a few pieces for you to try.

Bring a Little Something for the Host

Heading to a friend's house? A candle, cocktail napkins, or a new puzzle makes a thoughtful hostess gift. Not sure what she'll like? Owner of Edie Boutique, Amy's advice is simple. "Pick something you love and someone else will love it too."

Our Marigold gift shops in Lake Geneva, Park Ridge, and Libertyville are full of hosting pieces and ready-to-give gifts in our signature packaging. Find a Marigold near you and walk out with a gift wrapped and ready to go.

The next time your group chat starts debating plans, skip the reservation and invite everyone over. Pick one of these ideas, pour something good, and enjoy quality time with your favorite people.