Want the perfect girls night get-together?
Then it’s time for you to try an at-home spa party. It’s a great idea for bridal showers, or anytime your usual routine needs an injection of fun. A spa and pampering session is an ideal event for when your group of friends keeps saying, “We should get together more often.”
This is an invitation that none of them will turn down. And unlike going out, you can keep it going for as long as you like!
So how do you start planning one and make sure it’s perfect?
Keep reading. If you’ve ever wondered how to throw a home spa party, here’s everything you need to know.
Design Your Invitation
You can start off your party planning by issuing invitations. This is a great opportunity to get the guests excited. Send by email using an online service where you can design your own.
Or you can phone them up and give them the details. Be sure to give at least a week’s notice and include the theme of the party, if any.
Some examples are an Oriental theme that centers around Eastern beauty treatments. Or a party that’s “just nails” or “just facials.” An English tea party theme is also a fun and popular choice.
Keep the guest list small. A home spa party works best with just a few close friends. Depending on how large your space is, a maximum of 10 people is the limit.
Tell Your Guests What to Bring
When you send out your invitation, don’t forget to tell your guests what items to bring along. There are a few basics that will keep them comfy and in the home spa party spirit.
They will need their own towel, as well as a comfy lounging outfit to wear. Also, a pair of open-toed slippers so their nail polish doesn’t get smudged. This will only apply if you are doing pedicures. Otherwise, they can bring any comfortable slip-on shoes.
To really get your guests involved in the planning, have them bring their favorite movie. Good choices for a home spa day are chick flicks or comedies.
Prepare the Space and Decor
Preparations should start either the day before or the morning of your home spa party. Make a fun sign to put up on the door, like “Sandra’s Super Spa.” Don’t forget extra fresh towels and tissues as well as a garbage can to put them in.
Place flower bouquets around the room to encourage a relaxing vibe. Even a simple scented candle on a plate surrounded by pebbles can give the authentic spa feel.
If you have a theme, make sure the decor reflects that. For example, an Asian themed party may have water lilies.
In addition to the physical decor, don’t forget soothing music to set the tone. After all, all five senses should be taken care of in a spa. Choose a relaxing playlist from a music streaming service that will play for the duration of the party.
Snacking for Your Home Spa Party
When choosing what to serve, think healthy but tasty. You can indulge a little, but nothing that is too close to junk food. The “naughty” treats can be chocolate-covered strawberries or a bucket of iced sparkling wine.
Some snacks to try include crackers and dip, fresh fruit or yogurt. Fresh fruit smoothies are both healthy and delicious. Prepare beforehand and have them chilled in individual glasses.
Mix things up with a tea party theme and serve elegant mini sandwiches. It’s as easy as putting together some cream cheese and cucumber slices together on sliced bread.
Whatever you serve, keep it bite-sized and easy to handle.
Remember to set up the food and drinks away from any beauty items, especially creams or liquids. You don’t want a guest mistaking a mud mask for a bowl of guacamole!
Have a Facial Station
Your face is the first thing people see, and it shows signs of aging faster than any other body part. Pamper it by setting up a luxurious facial station.
For a full routine, place skin cleanser, toner, cotton wool, and moisturizer in a tray. You can also set up individual bowls with masks. Place a tray of cucumber slices to cool and refresh eyes while the masks do their work.
Be sure to place a bowl of water nearby, or put the facial supplies close to a sink.
For smoother, younger looking skin you can supercharge your facial station with microdermabrasion. Your guests will love using a machine that lets you do microdermabrasion at home.
The Manicure and Pedicure Station
A sturdy table will act as your manicure station. Print out an at-home manicure guide and tape it to the table. You’ll need these items at your table:
- cotton wool
- nail polish remover
- clippers and files
- cuticle stick
- nail polishes
- bowl
- warm water
- paper towels
Take turns working on each other and finish off the manicure with a gentle massage with coconut oil.
The pedicure station is similar, except you’ll need a larger bowl. If you don’t have one, use the bathtub. A pumice stone, soap, and dry socks to keep moisture in round-off the pedicure experience.
Pedicures are a bit more involved than manicures. It’s recommended you only do these if you’re doing an overnight spa event. Otherwise, tell everyone to do a shortened version.
You can be flexible and adjust your setup so that guests have an alternative choice. A “spa bar” can work as an alternative to stations. This way the girls can choose which area they want to be pampered.
Plan the Best Party Ever
Now you’ve got the tools, get out there and plan the best party ever! Don’t forget the group photos, so you and your guest have memories of the great time you had. Plus, spa parties are usually fun when it a small group of people.
Want some more party inspiration? Read our guide to throwing a totally Instagram-able bachelorette bash. The tips we give can also be applied to any other type of party, so get to planning!
