Black Friday Wrap-A-Thon (with wine) Party

I promised you some great ideas for fun Girlfriend get-togethers - so let's get started!

Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving and biggest shopping day of the year, in case you’re not aware) is just around the corner. The wee morning hours, mobs of people, neverending lines, and aching feet: remember those from last year? Who wouldn’t need a drink after the race to that finish line? If you are going to be out and about anyway, why not meet afterward for some girl time? It will give you the opportunity to show off your bargains, get some wrapping done and nourish your body, soul and mind with good food and great company.

Invitations

You might say something like this:

Join the girls Black Friday

after your shopping is done

let’s get the gifts

all wrapped up

and have some fun.

Set-Up

Ask each girlfriend to pick up a few rolls of wrapping paper, tape, boxes or ribbons on their way through the checkout and bring them to the gathering. It is always better to have too many wrapping materials than too few. This will also help to reduce the cost of wrapping for each person. Plus, moms take note: it is always nice to wrap your kids’ gifts in paper that isn’t physically in your own house. Lest your five-year-old say, “Mommy, is Santa real? Because why would he use the same wrapping paper that is under your bed?”

Alternatively, you can get the fixings to make your own wrapping paper. Especially if you or your girlfriends to home-made gifts. Instead of wrapping mall bought gifts, get crafty and make some one of a kind wrapping paper and gift bags.

The house does not have to be spotless; everyone is busy with the holidays. They will just be excited to hang out and put up their feet. Plan to use the room in your house with the biggest area to wrap gifts.

Set up a wrapping station. A large table with wrapping paper, scissors, tape. Have a 2nd area with bows, ribbons, gift tags and pens. At my house, I like to wrap presents in a big open spot on the floor. You'll have to corral any helpful pets, however.

Food and Drink

Make it simple– order out! Just make sure to order from someone who delivers. Pizza is super and easy. Or Chinese—whatever you are in the mood for, just make sure you can call it in. You don’t want to have to stop on your way home; the day is too busy for that. Instead, let your fingers do the walking and you can do the talking—with your girlfriends.

While you’re shopping for Thanksgiving this week, just throw a few extra things in the cart. Some ideal quick munchies might include: Hummus and pita chips, pretzels and spicy mustard, pre-cut cheese and crackers, and carrots and veggie dip. Those are all things you can throw in a bowl and serve without having to think about it.

Some drink ideas to warm the soul: Hot cocoa with a side pour of schnapps, spiced eggnog and of course WINE! Be sure to offer water as well. After all that running around, everyone is sure to need a little shot of H20.

Activities

A lot of wrapping and chatting will be done at this gathering, so the activities will be pretty minimal. But some quick suggestions might include:

Things to talk about. 

1. How did you learn the truth about Santa and at what age? 
2.  What do you enjoy most about the holidays? 
3. Are there any holiday traditions in your family that you feel are important to pass on? 
4. If you could only remember one Christmas, which one would it be and why? 
5. What is the most non-traditional thing you have adopted into your holidays?

Match the Santa list game. Ask everyone to write down some of the things they asked Santa for as a child. The hostess will randomly read off the lists of each girlfriend’s childhood wants. Your gal pals try to match the guests with what they asked for. The one with the most correct answers wins.

Weirdest gift guessing game. Ask everyone to write down the weirdest gift ever received at the holidays. The hostess will read the answers randomly. The guests will try to match the weirdest gift with its receiver. The one with the most correct answers wins.

Prizes and party favors are not necessary for the games or this party. It will be enriching just to learn some things about the girls that you never knew. Learning more about each other enhances our girlfriend relationships. What better prize could a girl ask for?

We hope you take time to turn the race of Black Friday into something special, a winning finale to this busiest of all shopping days. Your girlfriends will be appreciative, even if the invite is last-minute. 

What black-friday activities did you enjoy last year? 

Are you planning to hit the malls or hide-out at home?