Big night in

Going out and splashing loads of cash is soooo last season. Here are eight great ways to host a unique evening in your own home.

1. Makeover zone

Tell your guests to bring along any makeup they don't use, any makeup they are afraid to use, a mirror and some magazines. Now close the curtains and experiment. Try out new looks, different colours and products, share tips and learn new techniques.

Make a night of it… and expand the makeover theme to incorporate hair too. Experiment with hairstyling tools and products to achieve new looks.

2. Health kick

Get active with the Nintendo's Wii Fit game which offers a number of activities, such as calming yoga moves, tricky balancing games to strengthen core muscles and the hilarious and heart-rate boosting hula-hooping game. The Wii Fit's Balance Board measures your weight, BMI (body mass index), centre of gravity, balance and then reprimands you if you put a step wrong. Dhs1,250 for complete games console package.

Make a night of it… with healthy grub and detox smoothies, and wake up feeling virtuous.

3. Wardrobe swap

Give your wardrobe a new lease of life by getting together with friends and swapping clothes, shoes and accessories. This is also a good way of getting more use out of children's clothes.

Make a night of it … instead of just swapping, charge Dhs10 for each item and Dhs5 for each drink and donate the takings to charity.

4. Spa indulgence

Get the girls round for a night of relaxation and pampering with a home-visit beauty treatment service. Manicures, pedicures, hair styling, waxing, threading, facials and massages brought direct to your door for approximately the same prices you would pay in the beauty salon. Visit www.dialanail.com or www.cheztoi.com.

Make a night of it… with candles, chilled music and fresh ginger tea. Tell your guests to bring a dressing gown so you can float around like true spa bunnies.

5. Cocktail queen

Find yourself a good cocktail recipe book and stock up on mixers, ice and various fruits, and get shaking. Encourage everyone to make up their very own cocktail with a suitably strange name.

Make a night of it … with swizzle sticks, paper umbrellas, olives, glacé cherries and other cheap cocktail accessories. Food wise, serve tasty finger food such as scrummy dips with hot pita bread, mini meat kebabs, samosas, cheese nibbles and marinated olives.

6. Peace and tranquility

Pop on your favourite meditation CD and relax with a group meditation session. Afterwards, keep the lights dimmed and the atmosphere serene for calm, meaningful conversations and a spiritually re-energising evening – the perfect antidote to a stressful week. CDs available from Elements Fengshui (04-3417688), Dhs120 for pack of three.

Make a night of it… Burn some incense and offer caffeine-free herbal teas. Don't serve any food before the meditation and opt for nutritious, simple fresh food for afterwards.

7. Get crafty

Get your children's paints and crayons out, splash out on some quality art paper and set up an arts and crafts table where your friends can create masterpieces. Cut out large circles of card for mandalas, which are Buddhist artistic interpretations of the universe as a whole — encourage your guests to express themselves, and the moment, through colours, designs and interesting items such as buttons or shells.

Make a night of it… Bead Palace Dubai will bring their workshops to your home and provide all the necessary items for your evening (04-3952771). Naush Samama of Doodle Buddies organises tailor-made art and craft workshops and parties (samamanaush@hotmail.com). For mosaic classes and workshops, e-mail Pooja Sami (samipooja@hotmail.com), and for jewellery-making classes e-mail Dina (mollzy@live.com).

8. Poker stakes

Swot up on how to play poker and host a poker evening. Instead of playing for money, play for chocolates. Learn the basics by visiting www.ladbrokes.com.

Make a night of it… Insist that everyone wears a statement accessory like sunglasses or a hat all night.