18 Ways to Save Money While Throwing a Bachelorette Party

Congrats! Your BFF bride-to-be asked you to be her maid of honor. As pumped as you are, you may be wondering just how you’ll be able to pull off a killer bachelorette party while on a budget. No worries — just stock up on these cheap and chic ideas: DIY hangover kits, printable bachelorette games and plenty of *free* activities. Scroll on for all 18 tips on how to save serious bucks while throwing an epic girls’ night out!

1. Accessories and Clothing Swap: If you and your gals plan to hit the town, borrow clothes and accessories from each other. That way you’ll all have something “new” to rock on GNO without actually spending money on a brand new outfit.

2. Printable Neon + Chevron Party Invitations: Get your friends pumped for an all-ladies adventure with these festive invites that are yours with a click of a button. Simply download, then print out the free templates onto cardstock paper. (via Bespoke Bride)

3. DIY Mimosa Bar: No need to rack up a bill from continuous rounds at the bar. Ask your friends to bring at least one item like bubbly, fruit slices or juice to create your own mimosa bar. Throw in yummy brunch bites and you’re all set for a top shelf party! (via Brit + Co)

4. Budget Limit: Prevent breaking the bank by setting the budget prior to planning the GNO. Shoot out a mass email or conduct an anonymous survey to make sure everyone’s on the same page about how much they’re comfortable spending.

5. DIY Flower Crowns: Save money on matching bachelorette getups with DIY paper flower crowns that can double as a party favor once GNO ends. Just host a flower crown-making workshop prior to going out! (via Brit + Co)

6. Go Glamping: Planning a weekend away with your best gals? Rather than spending loads on a B&B, borrow friends’ camping gear and set up your own glamping trip. Add a DIY roll-up trunk canopy to create a lounging area and fill it with throw pillows and blankets for a super cozy outdoor space like this one.

7. DIY Photo Booth Backdrop: No matter where the festivities take you, whether indoors or outdoors, designate an area for a photo booth. Whip up a quick ‘n’ easy DIY garland and tulle pom-poms to hang from any wall for an instantly chic and affordable backdrop. (via Brit + Co)

8. DIY Photo Booth Props: Spruce up your photo booth with stylish props that you can make in a jiffy. Print these free downloads onto card stock paper, cut them out and then tape onto wooden sticks. For a glam touch, coat your props with glue and top them off with a generous dose of gold glitter. (via Mike Carreiro Photography / Something Turquoise)

9. DIY Color Block Cork Serving Board: A picnic-themed bachelorette party is budget friendly, and at the same time allows your DIY skills to shine. For example, you can use the picnic excuse to break out this stylish color-block serving board you made from repurposed corks. Chances are, if you and your girls are avid wine drinkers, you’ll have plenty of supplies. (via Brit + Co)

10. DIY Yard Yahtzee: Make a set of GIANT dice for a larger-than-life game of yard Yahtzee for that bachelorette picnic. You’ll need wooden cubes, paint, round stickers and weather sealant to keep your dice looking their best long after the festivities end. (via Style Me Pretty Living)

11. Something Turquoise How Well Do You Know the Bride + Groom Game: Test everyone to see how well they know your BFF and her beloved with this fun printable game. Add a personalized touch with patterned washi tape and colored cardstock. (via Something Turquoise)

12. Two Ingredient Pizza Hack: A fun and cheap dinner idea is a make-your-own-pizza party. Try this two-ingredient crust hack that calls for self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. In minutes, you’ll have a super tasty pizza with an unbelievably fluffy crust. Pro tip: For a firmer crust, cook the dough on its own for five minutes, then throw on the sauce and cheese and put it back in the oven for another 10. (via Brit + Co)

13. Local Bars for the Win: Instead of flying to Vegas or Palm Springs, save hundreds on travel costs by sticking to local bars for your GNO bar crawl. You and your girls will still have plenty of fun without breaking the bank.

14. Friends Who Cook Together: Celebrate your bride while saving money by throwing a dinner party. Have your ladies pitch in — split up into three groups to cook each course.

15. DIY Hangover Kits: Be a considerate bachelorette party host and have hangover kits for the guests to take home. Give the items a personal touch with custom peel-and-stick vinyl labels. As for what to include in your hangover kits, think anything soothing and sample sized (e.g., lip balm, breath mints, hair ties, gum, bandages). (via Evermine Weddings)

16. DIY Temporary Tattoos: Those sleeveless party dresses are perfect for some arm candy — the tattoo kind, of course. Whip up these stylish DIY temporary tattoos that are sure to be a hit. (via Something Turquoise)

17. DIY Towels: Dry off from a day of fun in the sun with these DIY personalized towels. They’ll make the perfect party favors for a beach bash and are a more affordable alternative to monogrammed ones. (via Mike Carreiro Photography / Something Turquoise)

18. DIY At-Home Spa Day: Don’t spend $100+ at a lavish spa — have your friends bring along their favorite nail polishes and body soaks for the ultimate day of relaxation in your own home. You can even turn it into a DIY spa day by making your own beauty products like we did! (via Brit + Co)

What are some budget-friendly bachelorette activities you have planned? Follow us on Pinterest for more Bachelorette party inspo.

Now that Halloween is officially over, it’s time to lean into all things holiday cheer. My favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit is decorating my space to match all the cookie decorating parties, gift wrapping sessions, and holiday cocktail hours to come this winter. But I’m one to do this on a budget – I often hit the thrift store for Christmas decor. When I’m not there, I’m scouring Amazon for pieces that are cute, but still take it easy on my wallet.

These are the best Amazon Christmas decorations I found that don’t cost an arm and a leg, but rival styles you’d find at more upscale stores like Anthropologie and Nordstrom:

Amazon

Peiduo Small LED Light Birch Trees

These tiny trees lit by twinkly LED lights are perfect for topping your mantle or dinner table. I think they add just the right amount of whimsy to your space, no matter how you decorate with them! They're not necessarily Christmas-specific, either. Their simple design allows you to spruce 'em up in all kinds of ways year-round. Similar pieces at Target and Anthropologie range from $21 $68 for one tree, but you can get two trees for just $25 on Amazon right now.

Amazon

Plaid Throw Pillow Covers

Plaid – specifically red plaid – is timeless when it comes to Christmas decor. It never fails to make a space extra cozy! These 18x18-inch covers are perfect for throw pillows on your bed and couch alike. You can snag this set of 2 in a few other holiday-ready colorways for just $10, and they'll likely last you a while with the right care.

    Amazon

    Artgar Real Touch Pine Garland

    If you have a mantle, use it! A mantle is prime real estate for Christmas decorations like stockings, candles, and cards – but none of that is truly complete without a good garland! This 6-foot faux pine garland can easily span your mantle to fill in any negative space and simply make things cozier. It comes with attached LED lights (no wall plug necessary, just a few batteries) as well as pinecone accents to make the garland itself feel fuller. Plus, $30 isn't so bad for a statement piece like this!

    Amazon

    Vintage Bow Decorative Tray

    This piece reminds me of a tray Pottery Barn Teen and LoveShackFancy sells in their collaborative collection, except it literally costs $60 less. It's not a total dupe, but the one thing it does have in common is bows: the most adorable reference to gifting season! I think this $9 pick could be so cute as a serving platter for Christmas desserts or even as a festive catchall you keep on your coffee table throughout the holidays.

    Amazon

    Kate Aspen Retro Floral Drinking Glasses

    The intricate design on these green-tinted glasses really has me hooked. They'd look so good with any sort of Christmas party tablescape – as long as you're sipping Christmas cocktails out of them! A similar set of 6 is currently being sold on Quince for $48. This one's only $26.

    Subscribe to our newsletter to shop even more holiday decor!

    Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

    New York City is a home and a hub for celebrities across all industries, and the glitzy appeal of Gossip Girl’s NYC is made all the more glamorous by its numerous celebrity cameos. Given that Blair and Serena run in the upper echelon of the city’s It girls, it actually makes total sense for them to be rubbing shoulders with Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga. You never know who you’re going to run into on the Upper East Side — and in Gossip Girl’s case, you may not even remember half the celebs you meet.

    Over the course of six wonderfully melodramatic seasons, Gossip Girl racked up quite a stacked cast list on IMDB. From stars with recurring roles to those who pop in to play themselves for one scene, here are 17 celebrities who appeared on Gossip Girl that you probably forgot about.

    Scroll down to see all the celebrity Gossip Girlcameos we're totally obsessed with!

    1. William Baldwin

    Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

    Serena van der Woodsen’s got some serious daddy issues. One of Gossip Girl’s longest subplots is Serena’s search for her father, who essentially walked out on her when she was a kid. He finally appears for the first time in Season 3 Episode 19 (“Dr. Estrangeloved), where he’s played by a member of one of NYC’s royal families, William Baldwin. (In case you’re wondering, he’s Hailey Bieber’s uncle.)

    2. Lady Gaga

    Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

    You probably blocked out the time Blair and Dan put on a jukebox version of Snow White at NYU given that the whole ordeal was painfully cringe. That means you probably also blocked out the fact that real-life NYU alum Lady Gaga gives a dead-eyed performance of “Bad Romance” at the end of the episode (Season 3 Episode 10, “The Last Days of Discostick”).

    3. Hilary Duff

    Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

    Also included in the Season 3 NYU timeline is Hilary Duff as Olivia Burke. Olivia’s a famous actress who balances attending NYU, starring in the vampire romance franchise Endless Knights, and dating Dan. She’s basically the Gossip Girl universe’s hybrid of Kristen Stewart and Emma Watson.

    4. Sebastian Stan

    Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

    Okay, there’s absolutely no way you forgot this one. Before Sebastian Stan was the MCU’s BB, he was Gossip Girl’s lesser-known CB — Carter Baizen. Stan played St. Jude’s sleaziest graduate and one of Serena’s most questionable exes from Seasons 1 through 3.

    5. Karlie Kloss

    Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

    Karlie Kloss will always attend a NYFW party — even if that party only exists within Gossip Girl’s Season 4 premiere (“Belles du Jour”).

    6. Armie Hammer

    Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

    Serena’s dating history includes one man whose bite may be worse than his bark. In Season 2, she starts dating a con man named Gabriel Edwards, played by Armie Hammer.

    7. Cyndi Lauper

    Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Paramount+

    Girls just wanna have Cyndi Lauper do a surprise performance at their eighteenth birthday party — at least, Blair Waldorf does. Lauper makes a cameo in Season 2 Episode 10 (“Bonfire of the Vanity”).

    8. Tyra Banks

    Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

    Tyra Banks plays Ursula, a famous actress who Serena keeps from crashing out at a movie premiere, in Season 3 Episode 4 (“Dan de Fleurette”).

    9. Clémence Poésy

    Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

    When Chuck goes to France in Season 4 and attempts to restart his life as Henry Prince, he takes Fleur Delacour — err, I mean, Clémence Poésy — along for the ride.

    10. Mädchen Amick

    Tara Ziemba/Getty Images

    Sorry, Archiekins — Alice Cooper’s got her eye on a different Archibald. Riverdale star Mädchen Amick appears in Season 2 as Nate’s first foray into MILF territory.

    11. Elizabeth Hurley

    Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Lionsgate and Grindstone

    Mädchen Amick walked so Elizabeth Hurley could run … Nate’s life into the ground. Hurley plays shady media mogul Diana Payne throughout Season 5.

    12. Aaron Tveit

    Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

    This guest star lives rent-free in Broadway fans’ minds. Aaron Tveit, the patron saint of tenors, appears in Seasons 2 through 5 as Nate’s cousin, politician Tripp van der Bilt.

    13. Alexa Chung

    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

    In Season 6 Episode 3 (“Dirty Rotten Scandals”), Alexa Chung, the minimalist darling of the 2010s fashion blogging scene, refuses to walk the runway at Blair Waldorf’s debut fashion show.

    14. Rachel Bilson & Kristen Bell

    Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SCAD & Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

    Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell show up in the series finale as two actresses auditioning for a role in Inside Out, the movie adaptation of Dan’s bestselling book, Inside. Bell’s voice should ring a bell — she’s the voice ofGossip Girl.

    15. Tim Gunn

    Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Nespresso

    Project Runway’s iconic mentor, Tim Gunn gives Jenny a little mentorship in Season 4 Episode 6 (“Easy J”).

    16. Rachel Zoe

    Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tom Ford

    Rachel Zoe: celebrity stylist, fashion designer, and extremely good sport. In her GG cameo in Season 4 Episode 7 (“War at the Roses”), Zoe takes a tumble and spills chocolate sauce all over her head before delivering her iconic catchphrase, “I die.” We die, too.

    17. Florence Welch

    Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci

    Welch’s performance of “Cosmic Love” in Season 4 Episode 14 (“Panic Roommate”) was reportedly due to her real-life friendship with Blake Lively. The actress suggested to the producers that they should use Florence’s music in the show. The producers went one step further, and we’re all the better for it.

    Wonder what other celebs have appeared in your favorite TV shows? Check out these 24 Sex and the City cameos and 11 Gilmore Girls cameos you may have missed!

    Dinner doesn't have to break the bank to be delicious and satisfying. Imagine savoring a hearty bowl of veggie soup or twirling your fork through a plate of creamy lemon pasta – all without stretching your wallet. We're here to break it to you that it's entirely possible to create a variety of mouthwatering meals that are as kind to your budget as they are to your taste buds. Explore our 13 fave cheap dinner ideas that prove great flavor doesn’t have to come at a high price!

    Anniespratt / Unsplash

    Fried Rice

    Leftover rice is the key to making some bomb fried rice. For the veggies, you can use frozen carrots, peas, and bell peppers, which is way more cost-effective than buying them fresh. (via Brit + Co)

    Brit + Co

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

    These sheet pan fajitas only require a few ingredients, plus plenty of spices that you likely already have sitting in your kitchen. The one-pan aspect of this recipe also makes it super easy and quick, an ideal meal for busy weeknights. (via Brit + Co)

    Rebecca Firsker

    Citrusy Shakshuka

    This savory, citrusy shaksuka only costs around $2 per serving. Using canned goods saves you heaps of money! (via Brit + Co)

    Vikalinka

    Easy Dan Dan Noodles

    The limited ingredient list for this noodle recipe means spending less at the store. But just because you're spending less, doesn't mean that this dish isn't full of flavor! Plus, these noodles are totally on the same level as any costly takeout option. (via Vikalinka)

    Averie Cooks

    Easy 10-Minute Shrimp Scampi

    This shirmp scampi is so worth it, but it doesn't break the bank at all. What's better is that it's packed with protein! (via Averie Cooks)

    A Virtual Vegan

    Vegan Veggie Soup

    This vegan soup is the tastiest excuse to clean out your fridge and freezer. You can easily use canned or frozen veggies in favor of fresh ones to save some coins. (via A Virtual Vegan)

    The First Mess

    Oven-Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Caper Raisin Relish

    Any veggie-based dish is going to be a bit more budget-friendly, since you're not necessarily splurging on meaty proteins. These elevated roasted cabbage wedges hit all the flavor marks, and are ready in just 30 minutes. (via The First Mess)

    Whole and Heavenly Oven

    Browned Butter Lemon Dill Pasta

    Brown butter is a quick and easy way to elevate any sort of recipe from savory to sweet, but it really shines in this simple lemon-dill pasta dish, making the flavors more complex and well-rounded. This cheap dinner idea only requires 5 easy-to-find ingredients! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

    The Fast Recipe

    Easy Spam Eggs and Rice

    Spam, eggs, and rice are all some of the cheapest items you can snag at the store. Combine all three for a deliciously easy meal to indulge in after a long day! (via The Fast Recipe)

    Rachel Mansfield

    Crispy Sweet Potato Chicken Taquitos

    All you need is 6 simple ingredients to craft these extra-crunchy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside taquitos. You can even freeze the leftovers once they're done to make your cooking efforts stretch and save you money in the future. (via Rachel Mansfield)

    The Girl on Bloor

    Instant Pot Chana Masala

    If you're willing to do a bit of prep work, this chana masala gets done in about 20 minutes. The most expensive components are likely the chickpeas, onion, and canned tomatoes – but they're not going to set you back too much, plus this recipe yields lots of servings to supply you with ample leftovers. (via The Girl on Bloor)

    Earthly Provisions

    Vegan Chickpea Broccoli Stir Fry

    Toss some chickpeas and broccoli in a pan with this recipe's delicious stir fry sauce for a little bit, then serve over some freshly-made rice for a healthy, cost-effective dinner. (via Earthly Provisions)

    Completely Delicious

    Salmon Patties

    This simple salmon patty dinner idea is easy to whip up and even easier to devour. Each one is seasoned to perfection with the help of lemon and herbs. The best part is you can use canned salmon or even leftover cooked salmon (way cheaper than fresh) to form each bite! (via Completely Delicious)

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    This weekend, news dropped that Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit against It Ends With Usco-star Justin Baldoni, and everyone is rushing to her support — including her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsco-stars!

    One day we need to have a conversation about how easy it is to assign the 'mean girl' role to women like Anne Hathaway, Hailey Bieber, Meghan Markle, and now, Blake Lively. Since that's a separate article, let's focus on the situation at hand. According to Deadline, Lively's suing Baldoni for "sexually harassing her and subsequently enacting 'a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.'" After the news dropped, The New York Times subsequently published article that details the winding allegations against Baldoni, producer Jamie Heath, and more players in the supposed targeted attack against her.

    While a lot of public opinion turned against Lively during the It Ends With Us rollout, it's clear those closest to her showed unyielding support. Now, fellow celebrities are showing up in droves to stand with Lively amid the allegations. One bold show of support that we're totally here for? Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn taking their "sisterhood" to new heights. Here's what they — and everyone else — has said in support of Blake Lively so far.

    Scroll down to see everyone who's supported Blake Lively amid the Justin Baldoni lawsuit so far!

    Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

    Blake Lively's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Co-Stars

    Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, and America Ferrera made it clear that they're firmly in support of their friend Blake Lively. They released a message on Instagram that left no room for assumption about their beliefs following Blake's lawsuit against Baldoni.
    The statement reads:
    As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation. Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.

    Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.

    We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others.

    For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.

    We love the lasting, strong friendship between these four!

    Cindy Ord/Getty Images

    Colleen Hoover, Author of It Ends With Us

    According to Entertainment Weekly, Colleen Hoover also spoke up in light of the damage Baldoni inflicted. She tagged Blake via Instagram Stories and wrote, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt." A picture of the author and star hugging followed Hoover's words, adding to the depth of the moment.

    Paul Feig, Director of A Simple Favor

    Director Paul Feig also shared his thoughts about what it's like to work with Blake on X. He said, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

    Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors

    Robyn Lively, Blake Lively's Sister

    The sisterly energy is real and we're so glad Blake is surrounded by it. Robyn, Blake's big sister, shared her full thoughts in a lengthy Instagram caption just 10 hours!

    While encouraging people to do research for themselves by reading The New York Times article that details the devious plot to publicly destroy Blake, she had other things to say. "We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch clips of them, and make snap decisions about their character," she wrote. This reminds me of the parasocial relationships author Amanda Montell detailed in The Age of Magical Overthinking — definitely something for us all to keep in mind.

    She also called out how easy it is for the media to warp the public's perception of the truth. "The 'truth' in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think," she added before eventually expressing how "proud" she is that her sister "didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies."

    Bart Johnson, Blake Lively's Brother-in-law

    According to Page Six, Blake's brother-in-law Bart Johnson didn't hesitate to share his thoughts about the behavior of Baldoni and his team. He reportedly wrote, "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason." in the comment section of the NYT Instagram post about the lengthy deep dive into what happened.

    He continued by writing, "His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played."

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    The most important detail about any romantic movie is chemistry between its leads. Even the worst movie can be rescued by two characters you believe actually love each other. But that's not a problem for A24's Babygirl (in theaters December 25) because Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson have chemistry in spades. The new A24 movie follows CEO Romy (Kidman), who begins a torrid affair with a young intern named Samuel (Dickinson). And AMC queen Nicole says she knew Harris was different the moment he walked in the room.

    Here's what Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson had to say about their chemistry in our exclusive Babygirl featurette.

    Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson connected the moment they met.

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    "As soon as he walked in, I was like, 'Oh good, here's somebody who's gonna play with me," Nicole Kidman says in our exclusive Babygirl featurette. "We spent a lot of time in bed. Hours would go by, and it was like you would step out of there and you would say, 'What just happened?'"

    "From the moment [Samuel] sees her, he's attracted to her. He realizes there's someone at the height of their power," Harris says. "There was an element of mystique that needed to be there for the exploration of the relationship."

    Harris continues that "perhaps there's something unfulfilled going on," perhaps referencing Romy's fizzled-out marriage with Jacob, while Nicole adds that "she's searching for something else" as the movie examines "desires, wants, [and] needs."

    "Drink it in and be transported," she says.

    ​And their chemistry in 'Babygirl' was so intense, Nicole Kidman had to take breaks from filming.

    In addition to spending "hours" in bed (which, honestly sounds like a pretty good work day to me), Nicole told The Sun in October that filming those scenes with Harris Dickinson became so intense, she would need breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she said. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

    But having a woman at the helm of the film (writer-director-producer Halina Reijn) both made Nicole feel more comfortable, and empowered her to tell this story. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," she says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

    "I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," Halina says, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?” See Babygirl in theaters December 25 to find out.

    Here are the 10 New December Movies You Need To Add To Your Calendar ASAP.