Getting together with girlfriends has been a tradition for decades, something we've grown to aspire to through famous friend groups like Sex and the City. But what if you want to go out?
In 2023, Girls' Generation nearly broke the internet with major pop culture moments like the release of the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift's historic Elas tour. And with these iconic moments came a tangible cultural shift, as groups of female friends of all ages began to wallow in nostalgia over traditional ideas of what “GNO” stood for. . From friendship bracelets to scrapbooking, a new trend known as “GNI” (aka Girls Night In) has quickly emerged and revolves primarily around crafts.
Now that we've entered the “crafty” era, staying at home has become much cooler. No matter the size of your friend group (or even if you're on your own), we've rounded up 15 of our favorite viral DIY projects you can do on your next GNI.
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candle painting
You may have seen this creative candle DIY while scrolling through FYP on TikTok. This craft costs less than $20, takes no time, and will give you a unique piece for your home.
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The great thing about this DIY is that you're painting with melted wax rather than actual acrylic paint. This method allows your candles to burn safely and look professionally made. We recommend purchasing white candles in multiple shapes to give your group more variety to choose from.
DIY lighter
This discovery is part of a viral trend that has exploded in recent times. It's a light decoration at night, so grab the girls. The trend exploded after a group of city girls shared that they designed their own lighters to make themselves “girly.” This craft will definitely be a crowd-pleaser, as there is no one who doesn't like combining bows with practical items.
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This DIY requires really minimal setup. Each writer will need a lighter, decorations of their choice, and glue. All you have to do is design it and it's ready. You have a custom lighter that provides an “I'm just a girl” vibe all day long.
painting wine glasses
The only thing better than wine is wine with girls. And why settle for boring, ordinary glasses when you can spend less than $30 on glasses that represent your personality? This craft will never go out of style.
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When painting on a blank canvas (in this case, a wine glass), it's always good to have some ideas to refer to, so I recommend perusing Pinterest to generate some ideas before you start. Each station requires table covers and wine. Glass, brushes and paint palette of different colors. This DIY can take anywhere from an hour to two hours, depending on the complexity of each design.
seashell decoupage
You may have “GNI” in your living room, but that doesn't mean it can't feel like a beach vacation. Seashell decorations are now in stock. From cell phone cases to jewelry, we see them everywhere. A new summer DIY is seashell decoupage and you only need three things.
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This DIY might be our favorite for its simple creation and classy finish. In no time, you'll have a collection of antique shells perfect for coffee table centerpieces, side table decorations, or even as gifts. You can choose printed napkins that match your style and enhance each shell with add-ons like gold-painted rims to match the design to your aesthetic.
paint tote bag
Sexy girls have more tote bags than you can count, it's just a fact. Why not get the girls together and add an extra tote bag? Amazon or your local Hobby Lobby will be your best friend for this DIY.
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Whether you draw flowers all over it or keep it simple with just a few words, you're sure to have a tote bag that can be used for a long time, even beyond the girls' night out. This craft is easy enough and won't mess up your big feathers because every girl needs a good tote bag refill. By the end of the night, you'll all be saying how cute this tote bag is.
mini cake decoration
There's nothing sweeter than laughing with your best friend…except maybe these cakes you make. Over the past year, vintage-style cakes have taken over his Pinterest boards and birthday parties. Looks like it's time to graduate from EasyBake and become a real baker!
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This DIY is the trickiest (but also the tastiest!) of the roundup. This is his 3-in-1 craft night where you learn something new, create something to talk about, and get a built-in sweet treat. In this case, rather than looking for individual items, it will be most cost-effective to purchase a cake decorating kit that encapsulates all the necessary tools.
friendship bracelet
As Taylor Swift said, “Make your friendship bracelets and take your time to savor them.” By far the easiest DIY on our list is the tried and true friendship bracelet night.
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This craft was revived and talked about during the Elas Tour, and in doing so, it became a staple in friend groups everywhere, including my own. It requires very little preparation and ingredients, and you can go back to your childhood and make the same thing.
flower arrangement
If roses are red and violets are blue, this DIY is for you. All rhetoric aside, an essential part of girlhood is self-care, and a fresh bouquet of flowers goes a long way. One of our favorite spring/summer DIYs is making flower arrangements with our best friends.
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This DIY is easiest if each friend brings their own flower of choice and shares it with the group. From there, you can start creating your own unique bouquet from the bunch, choosing a ribbon or your favorite wrapping (such as newspaper) for the bottom part.
phone case diy
Ring ring, ring ring, it's your new phone case! A quick phone refresh is just what the doctor ordered. Why not add it to the agenda at your next girls' night out and make it a big event?
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In this case, it's actually as easy as 1, 2, 3. What you add is up to you, but we recommend an assortment of charms, seashells, pressed flowers, and collaged photos. Make sure each location is fully configured.
charm necklace
If you haven't noticed the resurgence of charm necklaces, you're way behind. Charms Her necklaces/bracelet have an indescribable sense of familiarity and loveliness and are essentially known by girls all over the world from little girls to big girls, which is why they are in fashion again. The reason is.
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With so many DIY charm necklace shops popping up all over the United States, this at-home version will save you money and time. No matter how old you are, choosing an amulet that tells a story never gets old.
air dry clay
This DIY takes you back in time to middle school art class, complete with all the pinch pots and knick-knacks dishes we could dream of. Get even more creative with your girls' night out by using simple air-drying clay.
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This craft night is best done in two parts. Night 1 is all about handcrafted clay creations with endless possibilities, from plates to tic-tac-toe boards. On the second night, complete the drying stage of this DIY by adding color using acrylic paint. The most appealing thing about this project is that the individuality of each member of the girls' group is clearly shown.
wallet chain
Prada's Re-Edition 2005 shoulder bag went viral on TikTok for its sleek features, including the iconic handbag chain it comes with. Create your own wallet chain, as wallet chains are becoming more and more popular with brands.
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All it takes is one order on Amazon and one more girls' night out to get your next fashion statement. This trend is increasing and gaining momentum day by day.
fake cake decoration
This next craft is for all you maximalists out there. Fake food is on the rise as an interior design trend in 2022 and beyond, and many famous TikTok crafters are paving the way. Most notable are the fake cakes that follow the vintage cake trend mentioned above.
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Celebrate birthdays all year long by adding this fun and cheeky item to your place. This idea will definitely surprise your guests and serve as a new way to show off your girlish impulses.
baby tea
We may all be grown up, but that doesn't mean we don't want to rock a baby t-shirt. Host your own ironic baby tea night for under $50 as soon as possible.
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We personally love this idea and think a lot of fun and humor can come from it (not to mention adding a new wardrobe). Before you commit to a design, scroll through TikTok and Pinterest for additional inspiration.
vision board
If we didn't have dreams for our future, would we be girls? The next GNI will be vision board time, so get your magazine scraps and glue sticks ready.
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The most important feature of this DIY is the need to give each girl a unique feeling. By creating a vision board for the future together, you can not only create things, but also bond by learning about each other's goals. Take this as an opportunity to make your dreams come true.
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