Women of all ages get excited and are always game to gather for a girls night. As long as all the girls are together for a GNO, it's hard to have a bad evening. But how do you ensure a really great girls night out?

First, make sure it's just girls. This may be a no-brainer but I'm actually surprised, and at time appalled, at how many husbands show up for a girls night out. Then there are the kids (babies included) who seem to show up with the one haggared mom and five or more women.

Really girls? It's hard enough to get a bunch of women's calendars to match up for one night. Often it takes weeks to ensure everyone can make it. If everyone else got baby sitters and/or husbands to watch the kids please don't bring yours. Further, let your husband/partner/significant other that while they may enjoy being the only man in the group, the group will not be happy to have you there.

Husbands who crash the party turn into a drag. Kids who show up put a strain on conversations and relaxing with your circle of friends. You made a commitment to hang out with the girls. So hang out with them. If you can't stay away from your man for more than two or three hours, either don't do a Girls Night or say your good-byes and meet your guy somewhere else. If your man insists that he stop by, discourage it. If he has trust issues when you are surrounded by your besties, you have real problems. Trust me, don't let him show up. Most of the girls will be happy to rib him for being a jerk and it won't go well for him or you.

Progressive evenings for a GNO are best. Start with drinks at the bar or at a specific bar. Then either move to the restaurant or walk to a different establishment. It's more fun to break up the monotony of sitting at one table for an entire evening.

If there are more than eight women, opt for two tables close together. This way you can move around and no one is stuck in the far corner with no one to talk to. Or get a round table. There's room to move around and there's easy access to add another chair if needed.

Finally, watch the alcohol intake. Although it's fund to sport a buzz, it's a pain to have to babysit the one who had too much to drink. Sip on water. Eat something. Be an adult and make sure your fun buzz hasn't moved to obnoxious drunk. Have fun and be responsible.

And speaking of responsible, arrange for a driver. Maybe that's the time a hubby should show up.