Galentine’s Day is dedicated to all things friendship, serving as an annual opportunity to gather the gang together to show some love. There’s no rulebook for when or how to observe Galentine’s Day, though the unofficial holiday falls on February 13. Many opt for a glitzy dinner out or a cozy night in, with tasty co*cktails and chocolatey treats usually on the menu. If you’re gathering with your galentines this year, we’ve rounded up nine unique party ideas to ensure a celebration filled with love.
1
“Board” Night
Elevate a potluck-style party by hosting a “board” night, where everyone can make a themed grazing board for the group to snack on. Go the traditional route with a styled charcuterie spread, or get creative with boards topped with things like desserts, junk food, fruits and vegetables, breakfast favorites, and so much more.
2
Color Party
Who says February should be limited to pink and red? Paint your Galentine's celebration in different hues by assigning each guest a specific color, instructing them to bring a food item following the theme. Purple can bring berry-flavored bites and co*cktails, orange can bring mac and cheese and mimosas, red can bring charcuterie and wine, and once all your guests arrive, you’ll have a stunning (and delicious) rainbow spread.
3
Anti-Valentine’s Party
Valentine’s Day can be a sensitive subject for some, placing an unwanted spotlight on lonely hearts and unsavory exes. Gather your Galentines for an anti-love party this year, where you can enjoy all the same sips and sweets while simultaneously denouncing the traditional celebrations. Host this party funeral-style, with plenty of black decor and indulgent food to mourn the loss of love and celebrate the life of great friends.
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4
Wine Tasting
Who says you need to wander off to wine country to do a great tasting? Host your own this year by encouraging your Galentines to bring their favorite bottle. If you prefer to make it a competition, instruct everyone to bring two bottles of the same wine, then host a blind taste test where you all submit scores based on metrics like taste, smell, appearance, and body. Whoever brings the winning wine gets to take home everyone’s second bottle as a prize.
5
Private Cooking Class
Tap into your local community and hire a chef to lead an in-home cooking class. This provides both an activity and a meal for your Galentine’s Day celebration and is sure to provide memories and lessons that’ll last a lifetime. Bonus points if you’re able to secure matching aprons.
6
Book Swap
Whether your friend group is packed with bookworms or the squad has a reading resolution for 2024, host a Galentine’s Day party where each guest is instructed to bring their favorite book from a specific genre (romance is a great option for February). This can be the gift that keeps on giving, as you'll have a huge list of books to get to, and can pass around copies.
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7
Pajama Party
Who doesn’t love a PJ party?! Make this year’s Galentine’s Day celebration extra relaxing by instructing guests to arrive in their comfies, accompanied by a spread of breakfast favorites. A waffle bar, fresh fruit, coffee cake, and mimosas can be enjoyed all hours of the day, whether it's a Sunday brunch or a Friday night in.
8
Tea Party
Pinky’s out! Host an elegant soirée for Galentine’s Day, complete with frilly dresses, finger sandwiches, and cups of tea served in your finest china. We all love an excuse to dress up, and a tea party theme lets the group break out their floral dresses in the middle of February. After all, spring is right around the corner.
9
Spa Party
Treat the gang to an evening of relaxation with an at-home spa party, complete with face masks, nail painting and healthy snacks. For an even more immersive experience, round out the gathering with touches like juice shots, flavored water, and encouraging intention-setting to reset and recenter as winter comes to a close.
Kellie Walton
Freelance Writer
Kellie Walton is a freelance writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. When she’s not eating and adventuring her way around the world, she’s busy telling stories related to all things travel – including city guides, hotel and restaurant recommendations, travel hacks and tales of her own adventures (and misadventures).
