Because you’re able to decorate with pink and red hearts and eat endless candy, Valentine’s Day provides the perfect opportunity for hosting a party. But thanks to Leslie Knope, we have even more reason to celebrate in February: Galentine’s Day.
Galentine’s Day is celebrated each year on February 13 (the day before Valentine’s Day)—and we think it’s the perfect time of year to get together with your girlfriends and cherish your female friendships.
Whether you’re a seasoned hostess or just looking for an excuse to pop some bubbly with your besties, the right items can take your celebration from basic to Pinterest-perfect. From Insta-worthy decor to activity ideas, we’ve rounded up everything you need to host the ultimate Galentine’s Day gathering—without the stress. Because let’s be real, this day is all about celebrating you and your girls, not sweating over the details.
If you’re ready to throw a party so good your group chat will still be talking about it next year, read on.
Decorations are a must—but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them. TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Dollar Tree are our favorite spot to find holiday decor. We recommend going with shades of pinks and reds and adding this “Galentines Gang” balloon sign.
Whether you are serving sweets you made from scratch or purchased from a bakery, your bites will be elevated with plates that provide a pop of color.
Even though they can be used for their traditional purpose, cute cocktail napkins can also dress up your bar cart for the special event.
For drinks, you could either purchase paper Valentine’s cups (like disposable heart cups from Target) or recyclable cocktail glassware (such as champagne flutes from Tossware). But why not use your event as an excuse to buy yourself a gift? We love these Esme coupe glasses from West Elm for any drink.
Give your guests something to wear during the party—and to put in their gift bag to take home. These glasses come in a variety of colors, so you can get whatever shades suit your friends’ styles best.
We believe every party should have an activity—and we’re big fans of crafting. You can set up a DIY card station so your guests can create cherished notes for their friends and family. You can buy blank notecards and set out markers and stickers, or buy a set like the one pictured, which makes 12 cards. Don’t forget to supply the stamps!
If your crew isn’t so crafty, there are plenty of girls’ day games you can play, such as this Valentine’s Day-themed Bingo pack.
No guest should ever leave a party empty-handed! You can put together small gift bags with candy, pens, stickers, and small beauty items, like this 12-pack of velvet scrunchies. Either give them out as prizes for games or hand out as guests depart.
In addition to the goodies above, you’ll want to ensure you have enough food, drinks, and ice on hand for your party. If your budget is small, ask partygoers to bring bites to share. In the past, we’ve served brunch, but this year we asked everyone to bring their favorite dessert or salty snack. We’re serving pink cocktails (strawberry & champagne margaritas) and sparkling rosé to really lean into the theme.
No matter what you purchase, your guests are sure to enjoy a day together that’s all about friendship.
