The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Girls’ Weekend

Hanging with your best girlfriends is always a good idea. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter).

By Tausha Cowan

I love a good girls’ getaway. There’s something about catching up on each others’ lives, eating way too much food, and drinking way too much wine (just kidding, never enough wine) that feels good for your soul, like chicken soup. But the older we get, the harder it can be to plan that girls’ weekend you and your friends have been talking about for months, maybe even years. Between work, family, social activities, and a bunch of other commitments, it can be difficult to find the time — but I promise it can be done. I recently returned from a girls’ getaway in which my three friends and I were all coming from different cities, but we still made it happen using the following five steps.

1. Set a date and stick to it

This is the obvious first step, but it’s one that people tend to drag their feet on, for whatever reason. Remember, it’s not enough to say, “We should all go somewhere soon!” Chances are, you’ll be saying that same vague sentence for months, but if you really want to “go somewhere soon,” then you have to find a time that works for everyone.

Sync up those iCals and figure out a time that works for everyone. (Photo: Mattia Pelizzari/Stocksy)

Prior to my recent girls’ weekend, my friends and I had discussed going skiing together a year ago, but our schedules didn’t align at the time and before we knew it, winter was over. Fast forward to this past winter, when we picked up the conversation again and set a date that worked for everyone. That date was set months in advance, and it meant that we had to plan our busy lives around that coveted time.

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2. Determine a budget that works for everyone

Not everyone can afford the same things, but fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly trips you can take. (Photo: Kristy Begg/Stocksy)

Everyone has different financial commitments and priorities in their lives, so it’s important to not make any assumptions about what people can or cannot afford. Just because someone has a six-figure salary doesn’t mean she’s willing to spend hundreds of dollars on an extravagant getaway; likewise, perhaps a friend who doesn’t make as much is willing to throw down more on travel. The point is, it’s crucial to be candid with each other, determine a budget that everyone feels comfortable with, and, perhaps most important, stick to that budget. The last thing you want is for someone to feel awkward about having to pay more (or even less) than she wants.

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3. Figure out the logistics

Plan your awesome getaway together and figure out who’s in charge of what. (Photo: Getty Images)

Where is this girls’ getaway taking place? How are you all getting there? What is everyone bringing, and what time should everyone arrive? These are just a few of the questions you should figure out before your trip. There’s a saying: “Birds of a feather flock together.” Well, I am a planner, so it’s no surprise that many of my close friends are also planners. Figuring out the logistics comes naturally to us, but not everyone wants to take the time to decide on these details. If you’re in a group where not everyone likes to plan, designate a group planner and have her lead the way. Decisions lead to outcomes, so start making some.

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4. Leave the stress at home

You’re on vacation with your best gal pals, so relax and drink plenty of tropical cocktails! (Photo: Getty Images)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have some degree of stress in his or her life. It’s just a part of living. But a girls’ getaway is meant to destress you and take you away from the 10 billion things going on in your life — so as much as you can, leave the worries at home. It’s easier said than done, but it will give you the break you may not know you needed. If possible, try to do all or most of your work in advance, and let your families and significant others know that you will not be checking your phone/email as much during Girl Time. A girls’ getaway can also be really cathartic, not to mention the perfect place to vent and get your frustrations out. Your friends are your support system, so if something is bothering you, talk through it, drink some wine (it helps!), and let the stress slide away.

5. Have fun!

You’re with your BFFs. Not having a blast simply isn’t an option! (Photo: Simone Becchetti/Stocksy)

What’s the point of a vacation with girlfriends if you don’t have fun? I can’t count the number of times I have been with my friends and laughed so hard my stomach hurt the next day. That’s the sign of a perfect girls’ getaway. It’s also the time to let your hair down, if only for a few days. You’re bound to eat junk food, but I heard somewhere that calories don’t count in situations like this, so don’t worry about it. Be goofy, be yourself, and enjoy the precious time spent with your fabulous friends.

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