Galentine’s Day Party Ideas: Decor, Food & Fun for a Girls’ Night In
Ah, Galentine’s Day: what a holiday. Officially celebrated on February 13, it’s all about honoring and appreciating female friendships.
Fun fact: Galentine’s Day didn’t actually exist until Parks and Recreation made it a thing in 2010. I guess Leslie Knope really is a genius.
Even if it wasn’t an “official” holiday before then, women have been celebrating Valentine’s Day together for decades. Sure, it’s lovely to spend the day with your Valentine (if you have one), but let’s be real — aren’t your girlfriends the ones who really appreciate a holiday centered around love, flowers, and sweets?
While Galentine’s Day technically falls on February 13, you can celebrate it whenever you like, although February obviously makes the most sense. Bonus: If you throw your party later in the month, you’ll score big discounts on candy!
If you’re planning to host your own celebration, this post has you covered with Galentine’s Day party ideas, including outfit inspo, decor tips, easy themed drinks and snacks, and fun group activities. Plus, get my free printable signs when you subscribe to my email list!
Everything is simple but super cute, so that you can enjoy an epic night with the ladies!
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Attire
First, decide whether you want to set a dress code. You don’t have to establish rules for what people should wear, but I’ve found that most women (myself included) like to know what the ~vibe~ is.
Ever shown up to brunch in a cute dress, only to realize everyone else is in athleisure? Yeah… not the best feeling. Getting everyone on the same page helps your guests feel comfortable and sets the tone for the event.
You could go full glam with fancy dresses, keep it festive with pink-and-red outfits, or go cozy with a pajama party.
The possibilities are endless! Just make sure to give your guests a heads-up ahead of time.
Decor
In my book, it’s not a party without decor, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to go all out. Anything pink, red, or heart-themed is fair game, and your themed food and drinks can double as decor too (more on that next).
Here are a few of my favorite ways to decorate for this holiday.
Flowers
I love decorating with flowers year-round, but they feel especially fitting for Galentine’s Day. You can go classic with roses or mix it up with nontraditional varieties.
I usually go for a mix of pink and red roses, plus some baby’s breath for filler. It’s simple but so pretty!
Place your flowers in full-sized vases or bud vases (my personal fave), and consider scattering rose petals on flat surfaces to create a little extra ambience.
Candles
Candles are always a fun way to set the mood. Neutral candles are always classic, but I especially love using pink and red taper candles to lean into the holiday.
Twinkly Lights
Nothing sets the mood like twinkly lights. I use battery-operated ones that are easy to place on surfaces and around decor.
Signage & Framed Quotes
A cute Galentine’s Day sign, plus framed quotes or themed designs, are easy ways to bring the theme to life.
Get all my printable Galentine’s signs for free when you subscribe to my email list!
Drinks
Themed drinks are one of the easiest (and most fun!) ways to make your Galentine’s party feel festive. Whether you’re serving cocktails, mocktails, or both, a cute drink station helps make the event feel like a true celebration.
Some of my favorite beverage options for Galentine’s Day:
Want to go the extra mile? Add heart-shaped straws or fun garnishes for a special touch.
Food
If you’re throwing an evening event, I recommend my go-to menu: girl dinner.
My rule for girl dinner? You must have cheese and chocolate at a minimum. But feel free to throw in a few other apps and desserts, too.
If you’re hosting a daytime event, brunch food or other snacks work great as well.
Whatever you decide to serve, labeling your menu items with cute Galentine’s-themed names (I like using Avery name tents) is a creative way to tie everything together and add a little extra charm.
Galentine’s Appetizers
Here are a few of my go-to themed appetizers.
Sweetheart Charcuterie
Charcuterie is one of my favorite party staples, and it’s perfect for Galentine’s.
Check out my charcuterie template post if you need a basic overview. A heart-shaped board with pink and red accents is a fun way to bring in the holiday theme.
If you need help with the menu, ask your guests to each bring their own mini charcuterie board — each with a different theme!
Blushing Bruschetta
Bruschetta is always a crowd-pleaser and is so easy to make, especially with my favorite shortcut: Trader Joe’s premade bruschetta topping.
Just toast some baguette slices in the oven with a little oil, then top with the filling and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Caprese Cupid Skewers
Caprese skewers are another menu item that is easy to pull together (and can be made in advance). I regularly use these gold skewers from Amazon, but you could also grab some with little hearts for extra flair.
Tomato Shooters & Cheesy Heart Bites
Tomato soup and grilled cheese are an iconic combo. These little shooters with mini heart-shaped grilled cheese bites are perfect for Galentine’s.
I use these 3-oz paper cups from Amazon and fill them with Trader Joe’s tomato soup. Bake your grilled cheeses in the oven, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create the toppers. Perch one on each cup and voilà — fancy finger food, done.
Tortilla Chips & Salsa
Chips and salsa are great filler food, and salsa ties in nicely with the color scheme.
Want to be extra? Try making your own. I love the sweet pineapple salsa from Trader Joe’s.
Fries Before Guys
You can never go wrong with classic French fries. Bake up a frozen batch and serve with ranch, ketchup, or a fancy aioli.
Galentine’s Desserts
Apps are great, but girl dinner isn’t complete without plenty of sweets. Here are a few of my favorites.
Conversation Hearts
Nostalgic and snackable, conversation hearts are a Galentine’s Day classic. I’m partial to Brach’s, but pick your favorite brand.
Red Velvet Valentine Bundt
I love Nothing Bundt Cakes, but I also use copycat recipes to DIY at home. Red velvet is the perfect flavor for this holiday, and I like to top mine with leftover flowers from the decor.
Don’t want to bake? Grab a store-bought cake! If you don’t have a Nothing Bundt Cakes near you, Trader Joe’s mini sheet cakes are another great option.
Sugar-Spun Heart Beans
These heart-shaped jelly beans from Trader Joe’s are cute, sweet, and super snackable. Just don’t buy them too far in advance (I always have to repurchase since I can’t stop eating them).
Milk & Dark Chocolate Hearts
No Galentine’s party is complete without chocolate. My go-to are Dove’s milk and dark chocolate hearts.
Little Love Macarons
Trader Joe’s seasonal heart-shaped macarons are adorable and perfect for this holiday. Since they’re frozen, you can buy them ahead of time and then just thaw and serve.
Want to bake your own? Go for it! I’ve made macarons once… and swore I’d never do it again. They’re gorgeous, but way too much work. I love baking, but I’m all about shortcuts!
Activities
Now that we’ve covered decor and food, let’s talk party activities!
I’m usually not a huge fan of structured party games, but I do think there are some genuinely fun and low-pressure options for Galentine’s Day.
Get Crafty
If you’re the creative type, this is a great chance to get artsy! Some easy ideas:
- Paint night
- DIY jewelry (friendship bracelets, anyone?)
- Flower arranging
They’re all simple to set up and make for a fun bonding experience.
Watch a Rom-Com
Even if you’re not usually a rom-com person (same), Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge. Some of my faves:
- Legally Blonde
- While You Were Sleeping
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Feel free to go full cozy mode with blankets, popcorn, and candy.
Play Galentine’s Bingo
If you’ve got a bigger group and want something more high-energy, Galentine’s Bingo is a fun pick! It’s lighthearted, easy to play, and a great icebreaker. Plus, people have the chance to swap relationship horror stories (always a win).
Have a Favorite Things Gift Exchange
Exchanging gifts around Galentine’s Day is so special, and doing a “Favorite Things” exchange is a fun way to make it happen.
Traditionally, everyone brings a small item they love, but they bring multiples of it (usually 3–5), so each person gets one of each gift. It’s super cute, but it can get pricey fast, especially with a bigger group.
Here’s my version:
- Each person brings one wrapped favorite thing (with a set price limit).
- It can be anything they’re obsessed with — a beauty product, cozy find, snack, kitchen gadget, whatever!
- Write each person’s name on slips of paper. Each guest draws one and gives their gift to that person.
- Once the gift is opened, the giver shares why they love it so much.
At the end, take a group photo of all the items and share it with the group so people can remember the recs (and maybe treat themselves later).
It’s a sweet way to exchange gifts and get amazing recommendations from your friends, without the pressure of buying in bulk.
These Galentine’s Day party ideas are some of my favorite ways to celebrate, but honestly, it’s such a fantastic holiday that you really can’t go wrong. As long as you’ve got some great food and a few of your favorite girlfriends, you’re pretty much guaranteed an incredible time.
Happy Galentine’s Day, and cheers to the amazing gift of female friendships!
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