Remember Friday nights before you could drive, or hang out with boys? Your biggest concern was what pair of Limited Too PJs to wear to your friend Anna’s house for a sleepover and whether you should spritz on the Cucumber Melon or Country Apple body splash beforehand.
Anyone else miss those simpler days?
We vote to bring back the slumber party. Here’s how to throw the ultimate, nostalgia-filled get-together of the decade.
Step #1: Send The Invite
This is no regular “hang out” you’re planning. Treat it like so by sending out actual invites. When’s the last time you got an invite that wasn’t to a wedding or baby shower?
No need to get envelopes or stamps involved though (go green!). Simply text your invitees an image with all the details. Lucky for you, we already made you some templates and adding your info is as easy as taking a screenshot of your Instagram story - see how to below.
Click on one of the images below and screenshot it.
Act like you're adding the invite to your Instagram or Snapchat story, and type in your unique info. Make sure to save the image and shoot it in a text to your invitees. Easy!
Step #2: Set The Mood
A cozy and inviting setting is key to a successful slumber party. So grab every single throw pillow and blanket you possess and arrange them in the party area. Prop tip: don’t be afraid to scatter pillows on the floor to create more lounging space.
Lighting is the second most important aspect of setting the mood, so turn off any overhead lighting and stick to twinkle lights, lamps and candles as your sources of illumination.
Here's some image inspiration:
Step #3: Stock Up On Nostalgic Snacks
What’s a slumber party without massive amounts of junk food? Keep it simple with bowls of throwback candy and snacks - pull apart Twizzlers, Oreos with peanut butter for dipping (thank you Parent Trap), those pink and white frosted animal crackers, Bugles to put on your fingertips, Chex Mix, Sour Patch Kids, Goldfish crackers… anyone else getting hungry?
If you’re really feeling bold, set up a sundae bar complete with Shell Magic - because if you have a sundae bar and don’t provide Shell Magic, did you really set up a sundae bar? Or order a few pepperoni pizzas and boxes of cinnastix from Domino's to really amp of the nostalgia.
Step #4: Don’t Forget The Booze!
The one major upside to throwing a slumber party later on in life is that now you’re of drinking age. Which makes prank phone calls and truth or dare just that much more fun.
But to keep with the slumber party theme, make sure to have some type of throwback item per each libation option. Sip rose through your Sour Straws. Mix your vodka with Tang or Pacific Cooler Capri Suns. It’s your party - go wild!
Or hey, keep it a sober party and get hyped on sugar snacks alone - which honestly, still might give you a hangover…
Step #5: Turn On The Throwback Jams
Nothing gets a group of girls jumping around and yelling about how much they “loved this song!” more than an amazing playlist. So make sure to prepare one ahead of time. To jog your memory and get you started, here are the key throwback playlist areas to focus on:
Boy bands: N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O’ Town, BBMak etc.
Girl bands: Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child, Dream, Bewitched, TLC, The Pussycat Dolls, Cheetah Girls (fictional girl bands count too), etc.
Heart throbs: Jesse McCartney, Aaron Carter, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Teddy Geiger, Hanson, etc.
Pop Goddesses: Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado, etc.
Angsty girls: Avril Lavigne, Jewel, The Veronicas, Ashlee Simpson, etc.
Songs You First “Grinded” To: “Get Low”, “Yeah”, “Gimme More”, “The Thong Song”, etc.
Soundtracks: Princess Diaries, Sweet Home Alabama, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, Legally Blonde (seriously, these are filled with musical gems) etc.
Step #6: Let The Games Begin
From Twister to MASH, nothing will get you reminiscing like spending hours on some of your favorite pastimes. Dust off your board games, grab some yarn for Cat’s Cradle or keep it simple and scandalous (said in the voice of the Ashley’s from Recess) with a round of truth or dare.
Step #7: MAKEOVERS
Slumber parties were basically an excuse to try out all the crazy, over-the-top makeup your mom never allowed you to wear to school (thank you mom). Lay out a plethora of goodies - think body shimmer, Wet n’ Wild 99 cent lipsticks, body jewels, hair crimpers, butterfly clips - and let your inner 12-year-old go nuts.
Or better yet, have everyone bring one guilty-pleasure makeover item they loved to share with the group - Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers anyone?
Step #8: Prepare A Chick Flick Marathon
Once the sugar high wears off and the glitter hairspray runs out, turn on a classic sleepover movie to end the evening. Here are some favorites split up into categories.
Girl with a fun job and [unrealistically large] cute apartment: How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, The Wedding Planner, 13 Going On 30, Raising Helen, etc.
How did those kids pull that off?: The Parent Trap, Little Rascals, Harriet The Spy, The Sandlot, It Takes Two, etc.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Straight To Video: Passport To Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed, Holiday in the Sun, Winning London, etc.
DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie - duh): Brink, Wish Upon A Star, Cadet Kelly, Luck of The Irish, Smart House, Johnny Tsunami, etc.
Need a good cry: A Walk To Remember, Simon Birch, The Notebook, Homeward Bound, etc.
You are now sufficiently equipped to throw the bash of the year.
✨✨ WRITTEN BY DREAM GIRL & GUEST BLOGGER MOLLY LONGEST ✨✨
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