You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl.
There’s nothing quite like stepping into the world of Manhattan’s elite, and what better way to do that than by hosting your own Gossip Girl party? Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night of drama, secrets, and scandal, this guide will help you throw a soirée that even Blair Waldorf would envy.
So, here’s your step-by-step guide to making your Gossip Girl party an event everyone will be talking about for weeks—perhaps even on Gossip Girl herself.
Gossip Girl Invitations: The First Impression
Your invitation sets the tone for your event, so make it count. Here are 10 unique ideas to get the gossip flowing:
Golden Envelopes with a Seal: Send out invitations in sleek black envelopes sealed with a golden wax seal. Inside, use luxurious stationery and scripted fonts to invite guests to "A Night on the Upper East Side."
Text Message Blast: Channel your inner Gossip Girl and send out invitations via a text message, complete with a scandalous teaser like, “Word on the street is you're invited to the party of the year. Don’t be late. XOXO.”
Gossip Girl Blog Post: Create a faux Gossip Girl blog post announcing the party, and share it via email or social media. Include hints about what the night will entail and who might be the center of the drama.
Vintage Postcards: Mail out vintage New York City postcards with hand-written invites, giving a nod to the glamorous city life featured in the show.
Designer Tags: Send out invitations in the form of designer clothing tags, hinting at the high-fashion expectations of the evening.
Confidential Files: Deliver invitations as “Confidential” files, complete with a “Top Secret” stamp. Inside, include all the juicy details about the party.
Gossip Columns: Craft a faux newspaper gossip column revealing the party details. Slip it inside a real newspaper or magazine for a fun surprise.
Luxury Gift Box: Send out small gift boxes filled with themed items like macarons or miniature bottles of champagne, along with the invitation card.
Boarding Passes: Create invitations that look like first-class boarding passes to New York City, inviting guests to a jet-setter’s night of luxury.
Digital Instagram Story: Use an Instagram story template to create a digital invite that mimics the social media antics of the Upper East Siders. Add a “Swipe Up” for more details link.
Decorating Ideas: Turning Your Space into a Scene from the Show
The right décor will transport your guests straight into the world of Gossip Girl. Here are 10 ideas to set the scene:
Grand Entrance: Set up a red carpet at the entrance with a "Step and Repeat" wall featuring the Gossip Girl logo for that VIP feel.
Chandeliers and Crystal Accents: Hang chandeliers or crystal bead curtains to add a touch of elegance and glamour reminiscent of Blair’s Waldorf penthouse.
Upper East Side Backdrops: Use NYC skyline backdrops, or create faux windows with views of the Upper East Side to give your space a sophisticated urban vibe.
Gossip Girl Quotes: Frame iconic quotes from the show and place them around the party. Quotes like “You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl,” are sure to get a reaction.
Fashion Forward: Decorate with mannequins dressed in high-fashion outfits, channeling Blair, Serena, and the rest of the crew's style.
Luxury Lounge Area: Set up a luxurious lounge area with plush seating, gold accents, and velvet pillows where guests can relax and gossip.
Mimic the Met Steps: Recreate the famous Met steps using risers or stairs draped in designer fabrics for guests to sit and chat, just like Serena and Blair.
Champagne Towers: Nothing says opulence like a champagne tower. Set one up as a centerpiece or even as a drink station for guests.
Mirror Messages: Use mirrors with messages written in lipstick, mimicking the scandalous secrets often revealed in the show.
Floral Arrangements: Opt for elaborate floral arrangements with peonies, roses, and hydrangeas in rich colors like deep red, blush pink, and gold accents.
Food & Drink: Dine Like an Upper East Sider
Your menu should be just as chic as your décor. Here are 10 food and drink ideas that would impress even Serena van der Woodsen:
Champagne Cocktails: Serve a selection of champagne cocktails, including classic mimosas, bellinis, and a custom “Gossip Girl” blend with pomegranate and elderflower.
Miniature Lobster Rolls: A nod to the New York coastal elite, these bite-sized lobster rolls are both elegant and delicious.
Macarons & Petit Fours: Offer a selection of French pastries like macarons and petit fours, a favorite of Blair’s, and perfect for a touch of Parisian elegance.
Caviar & Blinis: Serve up tiny blinis topped with crème fraîche and caviar for a sophisticated hors d'oeuvre that screams luxury.
Artisan Cheese Board: Present a selection of fine cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet crackers on a lavish board, complete with honeycomb and fig preserves.
Sushi Platter: A beautifully arranged sushi platter is always a hit, offering an assortment of rolls that cater to all tastes.
Designer Cupcakes: Feature cupcakes decorated with edible designer logos or the initials of famous Gossip Girl characters.
Signature Mocktails: For non-drinkers, create elegant mocktails like a virgin mojito or a berry spritzer, garnished with fresh fruit and mint.
Personalized Cookies: Bake sugar cookies shaped like handbags, high heels, or champagne bottles, and personalize them with icing in the style of the Upper East Side.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: These classic treats are both luxurious and indulgent, perfect for a romantic, yet sophisticated touch.
Music Playlist: The Soundtrack to Your Drama
What’s a Gossip Girl party without the right tunes? Here’s a playlist with 25 songs that would set the perfect mood:
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
What Goes Around...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake
Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
With Me - Sum 41
Bitch - Plastiscines
Three Wishes - The Pierces
Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester
If It’s Lovin' That You Want - Rihanna
Hurricane - Ms Mr
I Love It - Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX
Glamorous - Fergie
Apologize - OneRepublic feat. Timbaland
Flashing Lights - Kanye West
We Belong - Pat Benatar
Love Lockdown - Kanye West
Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani feat. Eve
Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
The Only Exception - Paramore
Take a Bow - Rihanna
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Closer - Tegan and Sara
Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Secrets - OneRepublic
Games to Play: Keep the Gossip Going
No Gossip Girl party is complete without a few games to keep the drama alive. Here are 5 games that will keep your guests entertained:
Secrets & Scandals: The Final Post: This murder mystery game from Game Nights Galore is a must. Guests take on the roles of Upper East Siders, unraveling secrets and solving a murder in classic Gossip Girl style. With a mingling format and plenty of opportunities for private conversations, this game will have everyone suspicious of one another—just as it should be.
Who Said It?: Create a trivia game with famous quotes from the show. Guests must guess which character said the line, with bonus points for identifying the episode.
Truth or Dare, Gossip Girl Edition: Play a sophisticated version of Truth or Dare, where the dares are scandalous but classy—like serenading the group or revealing a harmless secret.
Best Dressed Contest: Since fashion is everything on the Upper East Side, hold a best-dressed contest. Have guests vote for the most stylish, with categories like "Most Blair" and "Most Serena."
Social Media Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where guests must find or take pictures of items related to Gossip Girl, such as a “text from Gossip Girl” (a message sent by the host) or “a headband like Blair’s.”
Tips for the Host: Making the Party Epic
Dress the Part: As the host, set the example by dressing in true Gossip Girl fashion. Whether you channel Blair’s preppy chic or Serena’s boho glam, your outfit should scream Upper East Side royalty.
Curate the Drama: Gossip Girl is all about secrets and scandals. Before the party, assign each guest a secret or a piece of gossip about another guest. Let them slowly reveal these throughout the night to keep the drama brewing.
Plan a Grand Entrance: Start the night with a bang. Whether it’s arriving with a mystery guest or making a dramatic announcement, the first impression should leave everyone buzzing.
Use Social Media: Create a private Instagram account or use a specific hashtag for the event. Encourage guests to post photos and updates, keeping the gossip going even after the party ends.
Serve with Style: Don’t just serve drinks—serve them with flair. Use gold-rimmed glasses, offer a champagne toast, or hire a bartender to mix signature cocktails. Presentation is key.
Control the Music: The right music can set the tone for the entire evening. Make sure your playlist is on point and that the volume allows for conversation and mingling. You can even sync the music to the mood of the party, starting with upbeat tracks and moving to slower, more dramatic ones as the night progresses.
Create Photo-Worthy Moments: Set up designated photo spots with props like headbands, tiaras, and faux designer bags. Guests will love taking Instagram-worthy shots that capture the essence of the Upper East Side.
Have a Surprise Twist: Just like any good episode of Gossip Girl, your party should have an unexpected twist. Whether it’s a surprise guest, an unplanned announcement, or an impromptu game, keep your guests on their toes.
Send Guests Off in Style: As the party winds down, give your guests a memorable send-off. Personalized party favors, such as mini bottles of champagne or custom headbands, will ensure they remember the night long after it’s over.
Stay in Character: Keep the Gossip Girl vibe alive by staying in character throughout the evening. Whether you’re playing the role of the sophisticated hostess or the gossip-loving insider, your energy will set the tone for the night.
And just like that, your Gossip Girl party will be the stuff of legends. Your guests will leave with secrets, stories, and maybe even a few scandals of their own. Until next time, you know you love me.
Gossip Girl
