In advance of Amy’s Slumber Party— hosted by 93Q at the Doubletree by Hilton in East Syracuse, NY on February 22, 2025— naturally I’m making lots of Somnus dream balm, but I’ve also been reminiscing about my own early experiences of slumber parties!
The roots of slumber parties can be traced back to ancient times, when people gathered together in communal living or for celebratory events (ie, solstices, weddings, etc.). However, the notion of sleepovers as a social activity began to emerge during the late-19th century in Western societies, though the slumber party as we know it today didn’t gain popularity in the United States until the mid-20th century. The post-World War II era saw both a boom in suburban living and a growing emphasis on childhood as a distinct phase of life, and during the 1950s and 1960s, slumber parties became a cultural phenomenon, particularly for preteen and teenage girls. In 2023, Bust highlighted the particularly occult elements of sleepovers, with spirit boards and divination games becoming almost ubiquitous with the event (link). It’s this iteration of the sleepover that I remember best— a group of girls gathered around the Ouija board, or arranged in a circle as one of us lay prone, all whispering, “Stiff as a board, light as a feather.”
I can’t promise that Amy’s Slumber Party will offer the same spooky thrills of our youthful dalliances with the occult… but that’s entirely up to you and your pals! Enjoy a night of drinks, dancing, and shopping… and stop by the HWB booth to snag some of your favorite handmade goodies! I hope to see you there. 🖤