Girls' Night In

(NewsUSA) - Work and family obligations leave many American women pressed for time. But many women are still finding time for their friends. According to a study conducted by Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn, five in six women make it a priority to spend time with friends.

"Being a mom and having a career can leave me little time for myself or my girlfriends, but I always try to make the time to see my closest friends," says Jo Gartin, celebrity party planner, wife and mother of two. "It's something that is so important to me, so I make the time."

In the same survey, 73 percent of women indicated that they see a "girls night in" as a terrific opportunity to bond and relax.

"Hosting a night in is a great way for women to enjoy one another's company without breaking the bank," says Gartin. As her life has become more hectic, Gartin has found the following tricks:

• Make a standing appointment. Whether it's every week or every month, pick a regular time to meet. That way, everyone has it on their calendars in advance to plan around it.
• Pick a theme. Movie nights are a great, easy option for bringing everyone together. Pick classic romantic comedies that women rarely watch with their guys. You can also arrange a night around the season premiere of a favorite television show. Other fun themes include a Mexican fiesta with margaritas and popcorn, spa nights with homemade masks and scrubs or workout parties to maintain diets and exercise.
• Choose exciting decor. Creating an atmosphere specifically for the type of party being held will add to the enjoyment. For a Mexican theme, simply use a serape as a tablecloth, and serve popcorn in overturned sombreros.
• Have a dinner-making party. Invite your friends over to make simple dishes that they can take home to their families for dinner. That way, you can enjoy the time you normally spend with preparing a meal with each other, and no one will miss family dinner.
• Bring errands in-house. If you are unable to find time to hit the gym, go to the salon and spend time with the girls, consider inviting your friends over and doing those activities at home. Rent an exercise or dance DVD, and sweat it up together. See if your local salon will send technicians to your home for manicures.

For more tips, visit TherapyGarden.com and www.orville.com/GirlsNightIn.