Planning An Autumnal Girls Night In

As the leaves turn and the evenings draw in, cosy plans beat big nights out every time. If you're hunting for tried-and-tested girls night in ideas with a distinctly autumnal vibe, here's a one-stop guide you can use to plan a relaxed, memory-making evening at home.

Four hands hold glasses over a table adorned with pumpkins, candles, a pie, and sliced oranges, perfectly capturing the essence of an autumnal girls' night.

Girls night in ideas (Autumn edition)

Pick one theme, or mix a couple:

Bring-Your-Own-Board night - each friend brings a themed board (cheese, dessert, brunch, sushi, "caramel apple" dessert board). It's low-prep and looks gorgeous on the table.
Paint & sip at home - mini canvases, a simple still-life (mini pumpkins!) and your favourite drinks.
Cookbook club - everyone cooks one recipe from the same book; plate up, taste, and compare notes.
Closet or book swap - sustainable, fun, and a great excuse to refresh your wardrobe or TBR pile.
Autumn craft bar - set out supplies so guests can dip in and out between chats (see craft ideas below).
Gilmore Girls cosy marathon - big mugs, big knits, take-away coffee and a comforting line-up.
Board-game café at home - rotate through short, chatty games before the film.

Set the atmosphere

Start at the front door: consider hanging an autumn wreath on your door to signal the seasonal vibe. Indoors, layer warm lighting (lamps, fairy lights and candlelight), bring out throws and cushions in berry, rust and forest tones, and add a seasonal scent (spiced apple, pumpkin, cedar).

For more styling pointers, have a read of The 5 Core Elements Of A Cosy Living Room to nail lighting, texture and seating that invite everyone to relax.

Fun and relaxing activities

Make a loose plan so the evening flows without feeling structured:

Craft corner: keep it simple and seasonal. Try How To Make A Paper Mache Pumpkin, How To Make Paper Pumpkins or Melted Crayon Pumpkin DIY. If yarn crafts are your love language, set out a cosy knit table with beginner-friendly projects such as knitting or crochet.
At-home spa: sheet masks, a mani station and mellow playlists.
Quick games: a stack of party or trivia games works brilliantly for 30-45 minutes of laughter before the film. If your group loves a flutter, a few light rounds of games on a bingo app can add a fun competitive edge.

Prepare seasonal snacks

Aim for maximum comfort, minimum faff:

Drinks: set up a mini station with garnishes and glass markers. For inspo, see Fall Cocktail Recipes - Best Cocktails For Autumn. Want an alcohol-free hero everyone will enjoy? Mix a big jug of Halloween Punch For Kids (it works all autumn, not just on 31 October).
Soup + bread bar: one big pot + crusty loaves = cosy perfection. Try Easy No Prep Blended Vegetable Soup or Slow Cooker Spiced Carrot & Lentil Soup.
Bakes & sweets: traybakes are your friend. Cute and seasonal? Easy Oreo Spider Cupcakes. Want classic comfort? Warm crumble and custard is always a win.
Autumn flavours to make: if you fancy baking ahead, why not try your hand at making spiced pumpkin bread to slice and share with hot drinks.

Have a TV or film marathon

Pile on the blankets, top up the mugs and press play. A cosy Gilmore Girls run is never wrong, and if you're feeling spooky, line up 90s classics like Hocus Pocus. For family-friendly options (or a not-too-scary vibe), check 12 Family Friendly Films For Halloween for ideas.

Sample run-of-show (steal this)

A week before: choose a theme, check dietary needs, and assign who brings what.
2-3 days before: shop, chop veg for soup, chill drinks, and gather craft/game supplies.
On the day: set lighting before guests arrive, boards out at 7pm, games 8pm, film 9pm with hot chocolate.

Budget-friendly hosting tips

Keep the menu to one hot dish + one board + one dessert.
Make it a potluck board night-it looks abundant without spiralling costs.
Borrow larger kit (extra chairs, projector) from friends or neighbours.
Repurpose your handmade décor (paper pumpkins look fab on the table!).

Handy extras (affiliate links)

Girls night in ideas - FAQs

How many people is ideal?

Four to eight is the sweet spot-plenty of buzz without splitting the room.

What if some friends don't drink?

Offer a hero mocktail alongside wine/beer. Big-batch punch keeps serving simple.

How can I keep costs down?

Choose one "feature" (crafts or games or film), keep the menu streamlined, and ask guests to bring a board item.

What do you actually do at a girls' night in?

Choose 1-2 activities (crafts/spa/games), 1 theme (e.g., BYO board) and a cosy finisher (film or playlist). Simple, relaxed and chatty.

What will your autumnal girls' night in look like? Tell me your theme in the comments-I'd love to hear! If you liked this post about Planning An Autumnal Girls Night In - Ideas please share it with your friends and Pin it for later...