How to Throw the Ultimate Galentine’s Day Celebration for Your Best Gal Pals

By Amelia Woolard

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which probably means that you’re either stress-eating chocolate in anticipation of what feels like a war waged against singles, or you’re happily making dinner reservations for a romantic night for two. Or, you’re sidestepping both of those options in lieu of an alternative—and somehow surprisingly empowering—way to pass the time come the week of February 14th: planning the ultimate Galentine’s Day party.

Um, Galen-what? If you’re not familiar with this sort-of official holiday, allow us to explain. First made popular by Parks and Recreation’s ever-lovable and progressive Leslie Knope, Galentine’s Day is a testament to the female friendships we hold near and dear. When else can you carve time out of your busy schedule to reconnect with your study buddies from last semester, or the upperclassman who talked you through the stress your first college class?

Yes, this February 13th celebration is just as fun – if not more so – than the typical flowers-and-stuffed animals events held the day after. Already sold on the idea? Great! Now, start your party prep with uCribs’ guide to throwing the ultimate Galentine’s Day celebration that your lady friends will talk about for years to come – and not just because you revealed that ultra-embarrassing secret during your college-aged rendition of Truth or Dare.

Step 1: Invite Your Squad

You’re ready to host the most epic Galentine’s Day celebration known to humankind, but first, you’ve gotta spread the word. When it comes to sending those coveted invites, you have a few options at your disposal. Since this isn’t your average weekly pizza-and-a-movie get-together, we’d suggest you should take this opportunity to add some glam to your usual invites. In other words, don’t rely on your usual last-minute text or a Google Calendar update. Use the holiday as an opportunity to shake it up and get your attendees excited for the party ahead!

Whether you choose an old-fashioned paper invite or go the high-tech route with a snazzy e-vite, the options are endless when it comes to thoughtful invitations. You can even go full DIY mode and create your own cards! Regardless of the type of invite you choose, be sure to include must-know info, like the date, time, location, RSVP information, and any additional notes. For example, you can request that everyone brings a small appetizer to share with the party, which brings us to our next point…

Step 2: Plan Your Menu

A party isn’t a party without food, right? So, mind your P’s and Q’s when handling this all-important aspect of party planning. You’ll want to make sure all of your bases are covered with tasty beverages, sweet treats, and a few “heart”-y appetizers to ensure that no one goes hangry during a time that’s supposed to be an enjoyable diversion from February 14th. (If you’ve never seen a gaggle of hangry girls, well… let’s just say it’s a scene straight out of the latest Jurassic World movie.)

But, while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to show your girls a good time, be careful not to go overboard with expenses. It’s far too easy to create an ambitious, three-course menu complete with all the trimmings, only to find yourself in over your head once it’s time to pay up. An easy fix? Ask your gals to chip in where they can or bring something to share. Besides helping to cut costs, allowing your friends an opportunity to bring their favorite dishes adds to the anticipatory nature of the event, making folks more likely to show up after the initial RVSP—especially if they committed to contribute to the party spread. Who knows, you may even come away with a delicious recipe for next year’s shindig!

Step 3: Prep Your Space

Set the mood for a night of female camaraderie with the right décor! When it comes to simple, budget-friendly buys, you can’t go wrong with balloons, streamers, and basic string lights recycled from the holidays. Put that Pinterest board to use and try your hand at making simple centerpieces, or head to your local dollar store to find affordable options. You can also arrange an assortment of candles for a relaxing vibe or play around with brightly colored lightbulbs to really set the mood. Just think about how dreamy your space will look with bright pink bulbs instead of your usual soft white!

You’ll also want to settle on a playlist jam-packed with cheerful, female-forward songs. Throwback tunes are highly encouraged, as is anything recorded by Ariana Grande – after all, her voice is basically the musical equivalent of a sugary treat. While you’re planning that epic playlist, you should also take a minute to consider whether you’ll be screening a few rom-coms or a continuous loop of Valentine’s Day television specials. Even if your activity lineup doesn’t include watching a movie, having a bit of background entertainment is always welcome—hey, it’s a great icebreaker if you’re inviting women from various friend groups.

Step 4: Entertain Your Gals with Activities

Now that your off-campus apartment is as ready to party as you are, it’s time to decide upon your entertainment of choice. Nothing tanks a party faster than ho-hum entertainment, like an unenthusiastic round of YouTube karaoke or the universally loathed “reveal something interesting about yourself” activity.  So, you’ll want to make sure that your schedule of events includes things that will keep your guests engaged. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to add excitement to your evening, beginning with even something as simple as classic party games! From Twister to LIFE and Monopoly, there are tons of different options for you to explore, based on your crew’s preferences. If board games won’t easily accommodate your number of guests, you can also resort to modern standbys like Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity.

With so much going on in your friends’ day-to-day lives, your Galentine’s Day celebration is also the perfect time to stage a spa-like experience. Encourage your best ladies to indulge in a bit of self-care with a mini manicure bar complete with hand scrub, nail polish, and glittery topcoats. Pick up an assortment of sheet masks or break out your own stellar skincare collection and set up a cleanse and moisturize station. Want to further your Zen mindset? You can use an aromatherapy diffuser to send notes of eucalyptus, lavender, and ylang ylang wafting through the air, which are all ideal for stress relief. Trust us, with just one whiff, your troubles will seem far, far away— much like the thought of Valentine’s Day itself.

Step 5: Make Your Event One to Remember

Remember when every birthday party ended with receiving a treat bag filled with goodies? If we had to guess, we’d say that this trend dropped off well before high school. But, for Galentine’s Day, why not throw it back to the good old days with complimentary souvenirs that are reminiscent of your festive, friend-filled night? It’s easy to get the group feeling crafty with a cute and thoughtful ideas, whether you’d like to create a clay jewelry dish, assemble a sampler of bath bombs, or even package an assortment of homemade sugar cookies.

And, before your friends’ Ubers roll up, don’t forget to gather your girl group for an epic Instagram post! Hold funny props or incorporate a unique hashtag (Did someone say #Galentines19?) for maximum effect. Looking to knock those Snapchat stories out of the park? You can even build your own photoshoot station using a tinsel backdrop. Whatever you do, don’t let your gal pals head out for the night without one final shot for social media. You’ll definitely want to look back on this night and remember the good times you shared with your inner circle of lady loves.

Think Valentine’s Day is just for those who are coupled-up? Think again! Here at uCribs, we say that the women in your life are just as important as any significant other. Who else can you rely on unconditionally, regardless of your relationship status? So, on February 13th, show some love to the ladies who make every day special by hosting your own Galentine’s Day celebration, complete with food, decorations, entertainment and – of course – some killer Instagram fodder. Besides making this year’s holiday one for the books, your Galentine’s Day party will help you remember what’s most important in life: friendship. Aww!

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