Have you been trying to plan the perfect girls’ night?

The kind of night that feels effortless. The kind where the drinks look cute, people feel taken care of, and you are not stuck in the kitchen doing unpaid labor.

Today, you’re in luck because I’m about to save you a whole lot of time and overthinking.

In this post, I’m comparing a fully DIY drink setup vs. The Bad Decisions Bundle to help you choose the best option for a girls’ night that actually delivers what everyone wants: fun, connection, and zero hosting stress.

Within each option, I’ll be evaluating:

• Effort required
• Cost
• Vibe
• Flexibility for different preferences
• Cleanup
• The “she thought of everything” factor

Only here for one section? Jump around. But if you read the whole guide, you’ll leave with a setup you can repeat for Galentine’s, Valentine’s, birthdays, and random Tuesdays that turn into stories.

Let’s get into it.

Product Overview

Before we compare, here’s the bird’s-eye view of both options.

Option A: DIY Drink Setup

This is the classic method.

You buy:

• Plain cups or glassware
• Salt
• Sugar
• Limes
• Tajín or another spice blend
• Garnishes
• Maybe cocktail napkins so it looks intentional

Then you:

• Rim cups manually
• Re-rim as needed
• Clean up spills
• Hope nothing clumps, slides, or turns into a sticky countertop crime scene

It works. It just requires time and attention.

Option B: The Bad Decisions Bundle

The Bad Decisions Bundle gives you a fully handled rim situation, in multiple flavors, without the prep.

Included:

• 24 Salt & Lime cups
• 12 Sugar & Strawberry cups
• 12 Spicy Jalapeño cups
• Printable Rita Rims sticker sheet
• Exclusive “Blame It on the Rim” punch recipe

Translation: you set it out, pour the drinks, and get to actually enjoy the night.

Let’s Compare, One Feature at a Time

By the end of this post, you’ll know enough about girls’ night drink setups that you’ll be ready to host, or at minimum, confidently delegate.

Effort Required: Who Asks More of the Host?

For most hosts, this is the make-or-break category.

DIY Setup

You are doing the most before anyone arrives.

• Rimming cups
• Adjusting for preferences
• Re-doing rims as the night goes on
• Wiping salt and sugar off every surface you own

The Bad Decisions Bundle

You are doing three steps.

• Open box
• Set out cups
• Pour drinks

Winner: The Bad Decisions Bundle

Because hosting should feel like hanging out, not like a shift.

Cost: What Are You Actually Paying For?

All the vibes in the world mean nothing if the setup quietly drains your budget.

DIY Setup

Individually, the items seem cheap.

Collectively, you’re buying a lot of extras for presentation and convenience, plus ingredients that may not get used again.

The Bad Decisions Bundle

You’re paying for:

• Pre-rimmed cups in multiple flavors
• A cohesive setup that looks planned
• A punch recipe that removes decision fatigue
• A sticker sheet that makes the night feel themed without being forced

Winner: It depends on your goal

If you truly do not care about presentation and you enjoy doing prep, DIY is fine.

If you want it to look intentional without adding more to your list, the bundle usually wins because you are buying back time.

Vibe: Which One Feels Like a Girls’ Night?

Plain cups feel like plain cups.

DIY Setup

Even with a homemade rim station, the vibe can drift into “kitchen project” territory. It can also start strong and then look chaotic by round two.

The Bad Decisions Bundle

Multiple rim flavors instantly create a choose-your-own moment.

Salt & Lime for the classic friend.
Sugar & Strawberry for the sweet one.
Spicy Jalapeño for the bold one.

It feels fun and a little dangerous in the way girls’ nights are supposed to.

Winner: The Bad Decisions Bundle

Because the second someone says, “Wait… these are pre-rimmed?” you’ve delivered the wow factor without trying too hard.

Flexibility: Can Everyone Get What They Want?

Different preferences are where most drink plans fall apart.

DIY Setup

You’re either making multiple drinks, or you’re adjusting rims mid-night.

Either way, the host is working.

The Bad Decisions Bundle

One base drink. Multiple rim options.

Everyone customizes their own pour without turning the host into a bartender.

Winner: The Bad Decisions Bundle

Because the best girls’ nights happen when the host is in the room, not in the kitchen.

Cleanup: Who Has Monday Regret?

Nobody likes to talk about cleanup, but it matters.

DIY Setup

Salt everywhere.
Sticky counters.
Extra dishes.
More trash.

The Bad Decisions Bundle

Disposable cups.
No rim prep mess.
Minimal cleanup.

Winner: The Bad Decisions Bundle

Hosting should not punish you the next day.

Ease of Use: Which One Keeps Things Simple?

Neither option requires you to become a mixologist.

But DIY requires constant small decisions.

The Bad Decisions Bundle removes most of them.

If you can open a box and pour a drink, you can pull off a setup that looks planned.

Winner: The Bad Decisions Bundle

Final Verdict: Which One Is Better for Girls’ Night?

If you enjoy the prep process and you’re hosting a super casual night where nobody cares what the setup looks like, DIY can work.

But if your goal is:

• effortless hosting
• built-in flavor options
• a setup that looks intentional
• flexibility without extra work
• minimal cleanup
• The Bad Decisions Bundle wins.

It’s not about doing more.

It’s about looking like you did.

A Quick Note for Your Next Girls’ Night

We’re finalizing a few fun details behind the scenes.

If you’ve got a birthday, backyard hang, lake weekend, bachelorette, or just a random Friday on the calendar, keep an eye on the shop.

Some very on-brand girls’ night energy is landing soon.

In the meantime, remember the whole point of The Party Shortcut is this:

You handle the guest list.
We handle the rim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Bad Decisions Bundle worth it compared to regular disposable cups?

If you care about presentation, flavor options, and time saved, yes. It replaces several prep steps with one simple setup.

Do the rims actually last?

They’re designed to hold up through multiple drinks so the night does not fall apart after one sip.

Is this only for margaritas?

No. Salt & Lime works well with tequila or vodka. Sugar & Strawberry pairs well with lighter pours. Spicy Jalapeño brings heat to tequila or mezcal-based drinks.

Is it too much for a casual night?

Not at all. It’s playful but still practical. Fun without chaos.