How-To: DIY Girls’ Night In w/ Lynzie Kent

Lynzie Kent is the owner of Love By Lynzie Events + Design and the host of Post My Party, a new series that shows you how to throw incredible parties that your guests won’t soon forget – from a Barcelona-inspired housewarming to a Hollywood-glam engagement party. We asked her how we can throw the best ever DIY Girls’ Night In (complete with savoury nuts).

SDTC: What aspect of planning should I tackle first?

LK: No matter what kind of party you are throwing, the most important things to tackle first are the guest list, party style and ideal budget. The number of guests you’re inviting to an event will really inform so many things like how much food you need to order, what your personal space allows for and quantities of rentals or supplies needed. Budget will dictate a lot throughout the party planning process, so you’ll need a firm idea as to what the party is worth to you! I often think it’s better to pick a firm dollar amount that you can try to work within rather than just obtaining quotes or going shopping and “seeing” what the party will cost you; that’s how you overspend. Lastly, choose a party style! Are you going to dine al fresco or do you want everyone to arrive in their PJs to enjoy finger foods? That too will inform the budget and guest list.

Q: Can you share a few DIY decor suggestions for a girls’ night in?

A girls’ night in will not be complete without cocktails! So you’ll need drink markers. Pick up enough cute glassware for everyone invited and personalize them by using a paint pen to calligraph their name directly onto their glass.

Q: How about food/drink options that are easy to make and look/taste great?

I love the idea of a build-your-own cocktail bar. Come up with three cocktails that you think would suit your theme. Then, on a vintage bar cart, display the garnishes, mix and liquors needed to create the cocktails with the appropriate glassware. Use cute, colourful frames to display the instructions for each cocktail and get your girlfriends involved by having them mix and sample their very own signature cocktails! Roasted sweet and savoury nuts are a great appetizer. We made these on the upcoming Book Club episode of Post My Party and they were a hit. Use pretty cones of patterned stationery paper lined with parchment paper to serve the nuts in, like these: 
Q: How can I make sure that my party is the envy of everyone?

Styling and lighting really help electrify a party scene. Fill your party with colour and ensure not a detail is missed. Make sure you’ve considered every option from the straws and napkins to a photo booth backdrop, or encouraging your guests to dress within theme. Create a party hashtag like #cindysgirlsnightin and encourage your guests to post and share their experience at your event by using that hashtag. Create fun and unique guests experiences that people can share, like the build-your-own cocktail bar, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt, or matching PJs! Experiences like these make sharing on social media desirable, as you want your online friends to see the cool new thing you are doing/trying/watching/eating. Be careful though, social media envy is a real thing and people might be upset they weren’t invited!

Q: What are some other fun touches?

I’ve found that events are more memorable when you can get guests to break out of their comfort zone and get involved in something new. For a girls’ night, create an updated version of the classic game “Girl Talk” to get your girlfriends dishing, venting and laughing, or create a fun crafting project together like one-of-a-kind jewelry. These are things that people wouldn’t normally undertake on their own volition, so it will always create laughter and memorable moments. On an upcoming episode of Post My Party where I help homeowner Cait host a boho-themed Girls Night In, we create an array of fun Mexican-inspired dips for her guests to sample and compare that brings about a lot of laughter and conversation.

Q: Do you have any tips for small gifts that we can send home with guests?

Yes! Favours are always lovely and can be inexpensive. Remember being a kid and going to birthday parties? Wasn’t the loot bag the best part? On Cait’s episode of Post My Party we create two take homes for guests! One is personalized decoupage charger plates with each guest’s name, created using vintage plates. Later, these can be used by guests as catch-alls or as wall art. The girls also take home enormous floral crowns made from colourful silk flowers. Even if these are never worn again, they can be displayed on a mirror or hat and hung on the wall as a souvenir from a memorable night. Food also makes a great favour. If you plan to cook for your guests, make extra pasta sauce or a savoury rub and jar it with a pretty ribbon and tag as a thank you for your guests, like this:

Or, make your party guests DIY “Bliss Kits,” packed with vitamin waters, herbal teas, a face mask, granola bars or decadent dark chocolate, nail polish, bubble bath and a sleep mask. Present them in customized totes, with pops of colour using tissue paper in the bag. Customize the totes with fun sayings like, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” or “Fries Before Guys” on the totes to make your friends laugh. These will encourage your ladies to take some time out and pamper themselves.

Post My Party premieres on Makeful on Sunday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.