Now that it's dark by about 3pm every day (sigh) and the weather's only going to get colder, leaving the house, even to socialise, is a pretty Herculean effort, isn't it?

Instead of battling against the elements (and your own lack of willpower), here's a bright idea: bring the socialising indoors for a night of DIY pampering.

The perfect ingredients for your at-home spa session? A clutch of friends, a kitchen stocked with sweet treats and vino, and a man-free household.

So gather your girls and get ready to banish the winter blues with our guide to hosting the perfect girls' night in...

PYJAMA PARTY

For guaranteed giggles, go old school and embrace an Eighties teen slumber party theme, complete with ghost stories, truth or dare and a jumbo pizza delivery.

The dress code for your sleepover, therefore, is cute and kooky jammies. Think cat cartoons, furry fox slippers and anything with bobbles on.

As hostess, it's pretty much compulsory that you swan about in Lipsy's Queen Of Everything onesie. Complete your lounging look with fluffy booties and a scrunchie for retro authenticity.

:: Lipsy Queen Of Everything Onesie, £39.99 (Getthelabel.com)

:: Topshop Hippo Print Pyjama Set, £28 (www.topshop.com)

:: Next Mouse Ballerina Slippers, £14 (www.next.co.uk)

LOUNGING IN LUXURY

For a more grown-up flavour, turn your pad into a serene spa-inspired haven. Think low lighting, chill-out tunes and posh canapes washed down with a chilled glass of fizz.

In your pampering sanctuary, nothing but the most luxurious loungewear or PJs will do. Make like a modern day Queen of Sheba in The White Company's Cashmere Jumpsuit, or take a leaf out of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's book (is there anyone else on earth who makes pyjamas look so stylish?) in a Marks & Spencer silk set.

The chicest slippers around? That'll be the ballet flat style from Holistic Silk, which massage your feet when you wear them. The floral brocade is ever so pretty too.

:: The White Company Silver Grey Marl Cashmere Jumpsuit, £255 (www.thewhitecompany.com)

:: Rosie for Autograph Pure Silk Revere Collar Pyjamas in Violet, £99 (www.marksandspencer.com)

:: Holistic Silk Massaging Slippers, £70 (www.holisticsilk.com)

HOMELY AROMAS

Before you start getting out wine glasses and filling the crisp bowls, make sure your house is smelling suitably spa-like, by setting a candle or diffuser to work, half an hour before the girls are due to arrive.

Look to the fashion crowd's favourite candlemaker, Diptyque, for a long-lasting heavenly scent. The latest addition to the family is Rosafolia, a heady rose and ivy blend nicely suited to a night of girly indulgence.

At the slightly more affordable end of the spectrum, Beefayre has a trio of reed diffusers specially designed for the colder months, like the deliciously fig-infused Winter Scent.

:: Diptyque Rosafolia Scented Candle, £44 (available in January; www.diptyqueparis.co.uk)

:: Beefayre Winter Scent Reed Diffuser, £14 (www.beefayre.com)

TREATMENT TIME

It wouldn't be a girls night in without a face mask. And nowadays, don't forget you need a group selfie to document your scary but soothing treatments too.

Impress your pals with a pack of the latest beauty innovation, the sheet mask. Originating in Korea (all eyes are on Asia for 2015's top skincare trends), Masque Bar sheets are applied to dry skin then peeled off after 20 minutes, so there's no messy mud involved.

If you're going all-out, treat your locks to a nourishing mask at the same time. Gielly Green's gloopy brown Repair Mask looks a bit icky, but the lemon-scented paste works wonders on dry hair.

:: Masque Bar Brightening Sheet Mask, £9.99 for pack of three (www.boots.com)

:: Gielly Green Repair Mask For Hair, £29.50 (www.ecobeautyshop.com)

HANDS UP

While you're waiting for your moisturising treatments to work their magic, take it in turns to do DIY manicures. Or, nominate the person with the most precisely painted nails to play chief nail technician (ply them with Haribo if they resist).

Start with a super-strength hand cream, like Purepotions Skin Salvation Ointment, to soothe any winter-worn cuticles, then buff and shape the nails before the painting starts.

If you really want to treat the girls, now's the time to unveil your UV gel manicure kit, which typically costs around £80 to £100. But if you're on a budget, see if everyone will chip in to share the cost, so you can part-own a set.

:: Purepotions Skin Salvation Ointment, £13.55 (www.hollandandbarrett.com)

:: Soap & Glory Nail Call Gift Set, £12 (www.boots.com)

:: Red Carpet Manicure Starter Kit With Pro LED Light, £89.95 (www.redcarpetmanicure.co.uk)

GET THE LOOK

The Victoria Beckham AW14 fur-trimmed dress has inspired many a catwalk copycat, and since the designer herself was spotted in it at a store appearance in Singapore, they've had a tendency to sell-out quick smart. The latest, Topshop's Feather Hem Slip Dress, £55 (www.topshop.com), is still in stock though. Get one while you can.

BUY IT NOW

Usually, when a product is labelled 'ultimate', it's a bit of an exaggeration. But in the case of Sanctuary Spa's Ultimate Salt Scrub, £11.50, they're not kidding. This dense, richly-scented mixture clings to your skin, scrubbing away dead cells and leaving a moisturising residue - so you don't need to slather yourself in lotion the minute you hop out of the shower. And from January 1 until February 29, the full RRP of every jar sold on www.sanctuary.com goes to Wellbeing of Women's womb cancer research project, so there's never been a better time to try it.

NOW TRENDING

:: Red(ish) alert

Move over Radiant Orchid, you're so 2014. The Pantone Colour Institute has decreed that the colour of next year is Marsala, a rusty reddy-brown they say "embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal". Dulux, meanwhile, seems to be on the same page, declaring that 2015's top tint is the not dissimilar Copper Blush. Expect to see these shades splashed across fashion, beauty and home decor spreads in a magazine near you soon.

:: Boxing clever

Want to stay ahead of the 2015 trend curve? Then head to Harvey Nichols, where buyers have compiled a luxury hamper packed with fashion, beauty and foodstuffs that are set to go viral next year, including everything from a Valentino handbag to a humble cauliflower. This cheat sheet doesn't come cheap though; The Box Of The Future will set you back £4,800 (www.harveynichols.com).

RECESSIONISTA ALERT

If you've got your eye on a couple of pricey pieces that you're hoping will fall into your budget range once the sales start, here's a smart way to make sure you don't miss out. Paste the web address of the item you're after into the Pay What You Like website (www.pwul.net) - Marks & Spencer's Best of British Collarless Coat With Wool, £249, for instance - and set the amount you're willing to pay, then you'll be emailed an alert when it hits your target price.