Christmas is great, Halloween is fun, and New Year’s Eve is overrated (I said what I said). But there's nothing better than getting all your BFFs together for a night filled with laughter, a bit of tea-spilling, bottles and bottles of vino, and endless amounts of food (of the junk variety, preferably).
Just ask the ultimate best friend: Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation, who first put Galentine's Day on the map. Yup, that’s right—the best fake holiday, typically celebrated on February 13th, was created by your fave fictional television character (during season 2, episode 16, for inquiring minds). Just when you thought the shining star of Pawnee, Indiana, couldn’t get any more iconic, amirite!?
Anyway, if you’re still stressing out about how to pull off a shindig this Valentine’s Day season...do not fret, my friend! All you gotta do is text the squad and let them know they’re absolutely booked on the 13th, which is a Tuesday this year, and I’ll do all the heavy lifting for ya.
Scroll down for a list of 20 fun and cute Galentine’s Day party ideas that you can totally pull off, no matter your creativity level. Try your hand at a few (or a lot!), and get ready to feel the love.
1. Get excited about a theme.
lululemon Brushed Cotton Merino Blend Crewneck
If you and your gals love a theme as much I do, sync up and dress for the occasion. Maybe you wanna go the traditional route and stick with a red and pink color scheme. Or maybe you wanna don matching pajamas for a comfy night in. Whatever it may be, just make sure to get a group pic before the end of the night.
2. Arrange your own flowers.
Putting together the perfect bouquet is literally an art form. This 17-piece kit has everything you and your friends will need to master it, including paddle wire, water tubes, garden shears, and four shades of green tape. Just have someone pick up some fresh flowers on the way to the party, and let the crafting commence!
3. Make fondue.
Ah, the ultimate crowd-pleaser: cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If that’s not your vibe (or, you know, you're lactose intolerant), try melting some chocolate instead. Either way, this fondue set will be a smashing success at your Galentine’s get-together.
4. Plan a "my favorite things" product swap.
If you've been on Tiktok in the past, I don't know, three years, you've def seen a "my favorite things" swap. Basically, everyone brings a few products they can't live without, and then shares with the group. You'll leave with a few things you're hyped to try, and the excitement of hearing what your friends think of your picks. See above for a few skincare and makeup products your friends would probably LOVE to take off your hands.
5. Pick a signature co*cktail.
We love a theme over here, which is why we have an entire (v extensive) list of cute Valentine's Day co*cktails ready for your perusal, which you can totally repurpose for the 13th. Oh, and a list of pink co*cktails, which are all so adorable. Pick your fave and batch it up ahead of time so you have a signature drink to serve throughout the night.
6. Invest in (themed, duh) balloons.
Blow these babies up and tape ’em over your bar cart or on a blank wall for a great photo backdrop! Your feed won't know what hit it.
7. Make personalized goodie bags.
If your love language is gift-giving, then you’ll be all over this. Grab some festive bags (totes are the best option, imho, because they’re easy to reuse!) and fill them up with things your friends like! Try to add personalized items you know each friend will be obsessed with to show them how much you care and listen.
8. Host an at-home mani-pedi night.
Sure, you could pay a combined gazillion dollars at the nail salon for a mediocre time in which you might not even get to sit next to each other. Or! You could each pitch in just a few bucks to get a quality gel manicure kit that you can use at someone’s house (where you can share all the gossip undisturbed).
9. Have a bake-off.
HAPPY KITCHEN Ceramic Baking Dish
HAPPY KITCHEN Ceramic Baking Dish
There’s nothing like a friendly competition where everybody technically wins! (Unless you’re REALLY not good in the kitchen, lol.) Pick a recipe and see who makes the best-looking, best-tasting version of it. How cute would a heart-shaped cake be, though?!
10. Do a paint-and-sip night.
J MARK Art Canvas Paint Set Supplies
J MARK Art Canvas Paint Set Supplies
Grab a bottle (or seven) of your fave boozy drink, some paint supplies, and an image of something to replicate with your brush. Maybe something you all love, like a pizza? Or a portrait of Timmy Chalamet? Get creative!
11. Brunch. It. Up.
CucinaPro Heart Waffle Maker
There’s nothing like breakfast foods and mimosas at 12:30 p.m. to get the gals feeling fine. Celebrate one of the most love-filled holidays with some heart-shaped waffles, plus eggs, bacon, bagels, croissants, muffins, and whatever other morning treats your pals prefer. Pro tip: If you wanna go the extra mile, throw all le foods on a charcuterie platter and voilà! An Insta Story-worthy brunch board.
12. Get some karaoke mics.
BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
Fulfill your girl group dreams by jamming out to some of your favorite tunes with your BFFs. All you’ll need are some fun karaoke mics, a YouTube video with lyrics, and a hyped-up audience.
13. Assign everyone a Secret Cupid.
Coffee and Motivation Well Aren't You the sh*t Candle
Coffee and Motivation Well Aren't You the sh*t Candle
It’s like Secret Santa, but for G-Day. Everyone picks a name out of a hat and shows up to the party with a gift. Be sure to bring them a gift they will actually use—like this badass candle.
14. Just do all the face masks.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Mask Hydrating Gel
If spilling hot goss with a mask plastered to your face is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Everyone can choose whichever kind they like, but I HIGHLY recommend this one, which will leave your face feeling hydrated as hell.
15. Play a game.
If you and your crew love a good roast, add this card game to your Galentine’s Day agenda. Players get to channel their inner Regina George by anonymously spilling tea about each other in an actual burn book. It probably goes without saying, buuut just fyi, this game is not for the faint of heart.
16. Organize a wine swap.
Everybody brings a wrapped bottle and picks a number. Number one picks any bottle, number two can steal that bottle or pick a new one. Repeat until everyone has a bottle. Oh, and only two steals are allowed per bottle. Everyone goes home with some vino they're excited to try—if you don’t pop them open before the night’s over, that is.
17. Watch a classic.
If ya wanna stay on brand, stream a movie about friendship. May I suggest Booksmart or The Cheetah Girls? To make the vibes even cozier, watch it from a movie projector!
18. Take Polaroids.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Go old-school and document the night with a Polaroid cam. It's so fun to see how the photos turn out, and they can double as decor or party favors!
19. Eat heart-shaped pizza.
Besides being delicious, heart-shaped pizzas look adorbs and aren’t that hard to make. If you wanna get super extra, you can even make lil pepperoni hearts. (But if that doesn’t work out, Domino’s will always have your back.)
20. Hand out galentine cards.
StackPaperPress Happy Galentines Day Card (Set of 5)
StackPaperPress Happy Galentines Day Card (Set of 5)
Send each of your gals off with a note about why you love ’em so much (the cornier, the better). That’s what this day is all about, remember?
Hanna Flanagan
Hanna Flanagan is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, sharing her recommendations for everything from denim and eye creams to coffee mugs and silk sheets. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she wrote fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content at People (so, yes, she’s basically a professional product tester at this point). Follow her on Instagram for photos of Timothée Chalamet and #OOTD mirror pics.
Megan Uy
Associate Shopping Editor
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
Hannah Chubb
Lifestyle Editor
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
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Galentine's Day
Galentine's Day is a celebration of female friendship, typically observed on February 13th. It was popularized by the character Leslie Knope from the television show "Parks and Recreation" during season 2, episode 16. This day is an opportunity for women to come together for a night of fun, laughter, and bonding. It often involves various activities and traditions that focus on appreciating and cherishing the friendships between women.
Themes and Dressing Up
Theme Parties: Galentine's Day celebrations often involve themed parties, where participants dress according to a specific theme. This can include traditional red and pink color schemes or matching pajamas for a cozy night in. The emphasis is on creating a fun and memorable atmosphere for the gathering [[1]].
Activities and Ideas
Flower Arranging: Hosting a flower arranging activity can be a delightful addition to a Galentine's Day gathering. A floral arrangement kit with essential tools can provide an opportunity for friends to create beautiful bouquets together [[2]].
Fondue Making: Fondue, whether cheese or chocolate, is a popular choice for Galentine's Day parties. A fondue set can be used to create a communal and enjoyable dining experience [[3]].
Product Swap: A "my favorite things" product swap is a trendy activity for Galentine's Day. Participants bring their favorite skincare and makeup products to share with the group, creating an exciting exchange of cherished items [[4]].
Signature co*cktail: Choosing a signature co*cktail for the event can add a personalized touch to the celebration. A co*cktail shaker bar set can facilitate the preparation of themed drinks for the occasion [[5]].
Balloons and Goodie Bags: Themed balloons and personalized goodie bags can enhance the visual appeal of the party and provide thoughtful gifts for the attendees [[6]].
Mani-Pedi Night: Hosting an at-home mani-pedi night can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity. A gel manicure kit can offer a cost-effective and convenient alternative to salon visits [[7]].
Bake-Off and Paint-and-Sip: Organizing a bake-off or a paint-and-sip night can introduce friendly competition and creative expression to the gathering. Essential baking and painting supplies can facilitate these activities [[8]].
Brunch and Karaoke: Hosting a brunch with heart-shaped waffles and organizing a karaoke session can add a festive and entertaining element to the celebration. A heart waffle maker and wireless Bluetooth karaoke microphone can contribute to the success of these activities [[9]].
Games and Polaroids: Playing games and taking Polaroid pictures can create lasting memories and enjoyable moments during the event. A card game and an instant camera can provide entertainment and mementos for the attendees [[10]].
Heart-Shaped Pizza and Galentine Cards: Serving heart-shaped pizza and exchanging Galentine cards can further enhance the festive and affectionate atmosphere of the gathering. A heart-shaped cake pan and Galentine's Day cards can facilitate these activities [[11]].
Conclusion
Galentine's Day is a special occasion for celebrating the bonds of female friendship. By incorporating these fun and creative ideas, individuals can host memorable and enjoyable gatherings to honor and appreciate their closest friends.
