Hosting a pyjama party? 7 must-haves for the ultimate cosy night in

Who said a party needs heels, a fancy dress and makeup that takes 45 minutes to remove? Sometimes, the best plans involve your favourite people, matching pyjamas, face masks and absolutely no reason to leave the house.

Pyjama party ideas: 7 essentials for a cosy night in with your friends (Instagram)

Samarpita Yashaswini is a Content Producer for Fashion (HT Shop Now) at Hindustan Times Digital. She has five years of experience in lifestyle writing, specialising in fashion, beauty, and trend-led commerce content. She covers everything from seasonal must-haves and wardrobe essentials to brand reviews and styling edits that make everyday dressing easier and more exciting.

She began her writing journey in 2020, but her love for fashion started long before that. Over the years, she has interned with Times Internet and Desi Martini, and worked with Pinkvilla and Schbang, building a strong foundation in digital storytelling and audience-first content. At HT Digital, she writes and creates fashion affiliate content for both the website and social media, blending trend awareness with shopping practicality. Her work sits at the intersection of style and strategy combined with equal parts aesthetic and analytics.

A self-confessed fashion enthusiast, Samarpita has a sharp eye for colours, prints, silhouettes, and textures. She notices the fall of a fabric, the mood of a palette, and the difference a good cut can make. Her expertise lies in translating trends into wearable, relatable style and helping readers shop smarter, not louder.

She studied at Delhi Public School and graduated from Miranda House, University of Delhi in 2019, where she also wrote for the college magazine. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and PR from MICA, Ahmedabad.

Samarpita believes fashion content doesn’t need to be complicated or overly eloquent. It should be simple, fun, and genuinely helpful, guiding readers through daily style decisions with confidence and joy.

1. Matching pyjama sets because the group photograph matters

Half the fun of a themed party is seeing everyone turn up looking coordinated. Matching pyjamas make the photographs instantly more fun, whether you choose pastel gingham, pretty florals, classic stripes or playful prints.

You could pick one colour for everyone or let your friends choose different prints within the same colour palette. Want to take the Khushi Kapoor route? Personalise the sets with everyone’s initials or a little embroidered detail.

For a more grown-up version, satin and modal sets look polished while still being comfortable enough to lounge in. Cotton sets are a good choice if you prefer something breathable.

What to shop for: Matching cotton pyjama sets, satin night suits, personalised sleepwear and printed co-ord sets.

2. Sleep masks, fluffy slippers and robes for the full experience

If we’re hosting a pyjama party, let’s commit to the theme. A soft sleep mask, fluffy slippers and a comfortable robe are little additions that make the evening feel like a proper sleepover.

You could even create a mini welcome kit for each guest with a sleep mask, scrunchie, lip balm and a pair of cosy socks. It doubles up as a cute party favour.

Choose colours that complement your pyjama theme. Pastels, baby pink, lavender and cream make for a pretty set-up, while bold prints add a more playful touch.

What to shop for: Satin sleep masks, fluffy slippers, bathrobes, hair scrunchies and cosy socks.

3. Set up a snack station because nobody is sleeping hungry

A pyjama party without snacks is just a meeting in nightwear. Set up a small table with everyone’s favourite comfort food so people can help themselves throughout the evening.

Think popcorn, nachos, mini sandwiches, fries, pizza slices, chocolates, cookies and bowls of crisps. Add a few healthier options such as fruit, nuts and dips if your group likes a mix.

For drinks, make a hot chocolate station with marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate chips. You could also serve mocktails, iced tea or flavoured lemonade.

My suggestion? Don’t spend the entire evening cooking. Order the main food, prepare a few easy snacks in advance and actually enjoy the party.

What to shop for: Popcorn bowls, snack trays, reusable cups, drink dispensers and cute serving plates.

4. Make the room look like a sleepover dream

You don’t need a professional event planner to make your living room party-ready. Start with fairy lights, cushions, soft blankets and a few balloons.

If you’re going for a pink-themed party, take inspiration from Khushi’s birthday celebration with pink balloons, coordinated details and personalised touches. For something more understated, try a cream-and-lilac palette with warm lighting.

A floor-seating arrangement with mattresses, cushions and blankets makes the space feel cosy. Add a few trays for snacks and drinks, and leave enough room for everyone to sit comfortably.

What to shop for: Fairy lights, cushions, soft throws, balloons, decorative trays and themed banners.

5. Plan activities that don’t involve scrolling all night

The whole point of getting your friends together is to spend time with them. So, perhaps put the phones down for a little while and bring out some games.

A few ideas:

Movie marathon: Pick a rom-com, a nostalgic favourite or a film everyone can quote.
Guess the song: Play a few seconds of a song and see who gets it first.
Never have I ever: Keep it funny, unexpected and appropriate for your group.
Beauty night: Try face masks, paint your nails and exchange skincare recommendations.
Photo challenge: Recreate old friendship pictures or take the most dramatic sleepover selfies.

You could even set up a mini photo booth with silly props, headbands and oversized sunglasses.

6. Add a beauty and pampering corner

A sleepover is the perfect excuse for a little self-care. Set up a small table with sheet masks, under-eye patches, hand creams, lip masks and nail polish.

Keep it simple and make sure everyone is comfortable sharing products. Individual sheet masks and disposable applicators are better than dipping fingers into shared jars.

You could also put together personalised beauty pouches for your guests with a few affordable essentials. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the evening feel more special.

What to shop for: Sheet masks, under-eye patches, lip masks, nail polish sets and beauty headbands.

7. Don’t forget the morning-after breakfast

If your friends are staying over, the party doesn’t have to end when the film credits roll. Plan a relaxed breakfast for the next morning.

Pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, sandwiches, coffee and hot chocolate are easy crowd-pleasers. You could even make it a breakfast-in-pyjamas affair, with everyone turning up in their sleepwear one last time.

Keep the menu manageable. The idea is to wake up, eat something delicious and continue the conversation, not start another full-scale hosting operation.

How to plan a pyjama party without overspending

You don’t need to buy everything new. Use cushions and blankets you already own, borrow a projector if someone has one and ask friends to bring their favourite snacks or board games.

Here’s a simple planning checklist:

One week before: Pick a theme, invite guests and decide whether it’s a sleepover or just an evening party.
Three days before: Arrange pyjama sets, decorations and any personalised accessories.
One day before: Shop for snacks, prepare the drinks station and organise games.
On the day: Set up the room, arrange the food and keep the playlist ready.

The best thing about a pyjama party is that nobody has to worry about dressing to impress, booking a fancy venue or spending the entire evening posing for photographs. You get to be comfortable, a little silly and completely yourself around your favourite people.

So, send the group chat invitation, pick a pyjama theme and stock up on snacks. The dress code is officially, absolutely no real clothes.

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