How to host a fun girl’s weekend getaway

Let’s be honest, we all need a getaway once in a while.  A quick getaway can be refreshing, relaxing, exciting, and can get you ready to rev up again.  As mama’s we’re always taking care of everyone else, remember we should put ourselves first for a few days, life will go on. No guilt, no worries, no problems.

Living in Florida has  it’s benefits when you have friends up north or anywhere else in the country.  Florida’s west coast along the gulf coast waters has some of the best beaches, many times offering water as clear as Caribbean islands.  If you can’t make it to the beaches because of chilly weather (yes Florida get’s a bit chilly too) there are still plenty of things you could do to have a fabulous girl’s weekend getaway. Two of my girlfriends came to visit for 2 and a half days and we had a blast.  Here are some tips to host a fun girl’s weekend getaway.

1.  You don’t need to have a complete itinerary set.  While it’s a good idea to have some tentative ideas in place, don’t fret over planning every minute of your days, just play it by ear.  Do not stress over a girls’ weekend, just go with the flow and enjoy each other’s company.  One of my girl’s suggested we go “house hunting” as she is interested in moving out of state and let me tell you, we had a blast checking out some open houses.

 

2.  Do find out what your guests like and don’t like.  I’ve known my two girlfriends that came to visit me recently for 15 years and yet there are still things I didn’t know about them.  I wanted to make them a super cool, healthy breakfast from a picture I pinned on pinterest and had Papaya, yogurt, fresh berries and was setting it up one morning when one of them goes, “um, who is that for, because I don’t like papaya or yogurt”… well oh damn…  that idea went out the window ha ha!  My other friend didn’t like papaya either. Here I was thinking I was going to super impress them with my fabulous pinterest breakfast and that did not happen.  So ask before hand if they even like what you’re thinking of offering.

 

3.  Try something new together.  We did some shopping, eating out, saw some movies, and truly enjoyed each others company, but we also did something neither of us had done before.  We went to the Salt Cave in Naples.  You sit in a room with salty air, it’s called Halotherapy and basically you relax in this super calming ambient room and breathe in salt.  It’s supposed to be very beneficial for many ailments and mimics ancient salt caves of Europe.  I will totally visit again, and really enjoyed this unique experience.  Of the 3 of us, only one was a total skeptic but she did enjoy it, she just didn’t believe what they said it does.  My other friend had complained of a raspy sound when breathing after trying some hookah over the summer.  She just couldn’t shake it but after one 45 minute session, it was gone, woah!  You be the judge.

4.  If you have kids or parents you watch over, make sure your support system to help out is in place.  My husband and mom were super helpful that weekend.  One day after our salt cave visit and some retail therapy we came home and my husband had ceviche and margaritas ready for us.  What a sweetie, yes he’s a keeper.  He also made sure that the kids stayed out of our hair.  Yes the kids did come out and hung out with us for a bit but I didn’t have to worry about being a mom first this weekend.  My mom watched the kids for us the next day when hubby had to work, and it was so awesome to be freeeeeee :). It was a win win for all involved. I had the freedom to spend time with my girlfriends and my kids got the opportunity to spend time with their grandparents. Time with the grandparents is always priceless.

 

5.  Don’t be afraid to relax.  This goes hand in hand with #1.  Don’t feel pressured to plan every second of your weekend.  One night I thought we’d hit a bar and dance it up, but these mama’s actually enjoyed sleeping in.  After watching a movie together, that had us in stitches we had some wine at home.  I mean if you want to party and have the energy go for it, but we did so much in the day that by the time night rolled around, those plans went out the window and that was just fine. It was fine because it was not about being busy every minute of the day but spending time with each other. Being able to laugh, talk and just be silly was a way that helped us relax.

Over these quick two and a half days we talked and re connected, I think we all re centered ourselves by getting back to our friendships, not only nourishing each other with counseling/listening but also nourishing ourselves with some well-deserved and needed Me time. The girls stayed with us, so they were able to save on hotel cost and we stayed in for dinner one night, where I made the Taco Crescent meal.  We truly enjoyed each others company and had a great time.  No need to splurge on everything, there are ways to pinch pennies on various things. Don’t put it off any longer.

Now where are you and your girlfriends heading for your next girls trip?