How To Host The Perfect Galentine’s Day Party

Fun and Festive Ideas For A Cozy Girls’ Night In!

It’s Galentine’s Day, aka, one of the best days of the year! Often celebrated with champagne and chocolate, this is a special occasion you’ll definitely want to mark on your calendar.

What is Galentine’s Day

We love any excuse to throw a party and Galentine’s Day is one of the best! Galentine’s Day is Valentine’s Day lesser known (but equally deserving) cousin. The day is typically celebrated on or around February 13th and it’s the perfect reminder that friendships deserve a celebration too. And who doesn’t love a reason to gather your girlfriends for a cozy night in filled with cocktails, cookies and good ‘ol fashioned camaraderie!

How to host the perfect Galentine’s Day party

The perfect Galentine’s Day party is just a few steps away. From invitations to dessert, this is your guide to a sweet new tradition.

Pick Your Party Style

First things first. Start by choosing a theme that fits your vibe – maybe a cozy night in or a fancy friendship fete? A theme helps set the tone for the celebration and streamlines the planning process from decor to dress code. Here’s a list of my favorite Galentine’s Day themes:

• Pajamas & Prosecco
• Girls’ Night In
• Besties Who Brunch
• Cookies & Cocktails
• Charcuterie & Chocolate Tasting
• Favorite Things Party
• Classic Pink & Red
• Cookie Decorating Party

Send Custom Invitations

A simple digital invite (I love these from Paperless Post!), a cute text thread, or a printed card tucked into a pink envelope makes the occasion feel special. Send your party invitations with enough advance notice (two to four weeks) so that guests can save the date. Be sure to include details such as date, time, location, and dress code.

Create A Pretty (and pink!) Party Space

No Galentine’s party is complete without a pop of pink and red – a little ribbon here, a cluster of candles there. Keep things cozy and cute, opting for a simple color palette. Here’s a few of our favorite ways to decorate for Galentine’s Day:

• Pink or red balloons with satin ribbon tails floating over a kitchen island or dessert table – I’ve linked everything you need to make this cute balloon decor here. No helium needed!
• A pastel pink and white tablescape with rosebud vases
• Candles and votives for a cozy glow
• Vases filled with roses, gerbera daisies or tulips as centerpieces 
• Heart-shaped cookies or candies displayed on cake stands
• Glass jars filled with candy or sprinkles (doubles as decor and dessert!)
• Soft pink table runners or placemats mixed with neutral serveware
• Festive garlands or banners for fun photo moment
• Red heart-shaped bowls filled with pink M&M’s or chocolate covered almonds

Set The Menu

Bites and beverages are the heart of any party and Galentine’s Day is no exception. For best results, choose a few crowd-pleasers, keep the set up simple, and leave plenty of room for dessert! Want to impress your guests? Try one of these delicious ideas:

• Boozy Brunch Spread — Mini waffles, savory mini quiches, fresh fruit, and a DIY mimosa bar
• Chocolate & Wine Pairing — A chic tasting moment with a few favorite chocolates and wines that guests can sample together.
• Heart-Shaped Pizzas — super cute, perfectly nostalgic, and surprisingly easy — and everyone loves pizza!
• Fondue Night — Cozy and interactive, with chocolate or cheese for dipping fruit, bread, or cookies.
• Dessert-First Party — Skip dinner altogether and lean into cakes, cookies, and pastries styled on pretty platters.
• Tea Party Bites — Mini tea sandwiches, petite scones, and dainty sweets for a Bridgerton vibe.
• Pink Pasta Night — A creamy tomato or vodka sauce fits the theme perfectly!
• Boards & Bites Potluck — Ask guests to bring their favorite snack board — low effort for you, fun for everyone.
• Cozy Soup + Bread Bar — A warm, comforting option for chilly February nights.
• Charcuterie + Champagne — Simple, stylish, and always a favorite.

Plan A Thoughtful Activity

Your squad will love participating in a fun activity that fits the theme. Here’s a few ideas to keep the party going:

• Cookie decorating station – set out icing, sprinkles and heart-shaped cookies. Don’t forget cute boxes for gifts on the go!
• Handmade love letters – set out cute stationary, paper, pens and stamps for your friends make sweet Valentines.
• Favorite Things Swap – ask each guest to bring a small gift they love.
• Mini bouquet station – create a “flower bar” where your girlfriends can build a small arrangement to take home – doubles as decor and a sweet little favor.
• Photo moment – add a simple backdrop or balloon arch where the guests can snap candids and create fun memories with friends.

Tips for a fun and festive party

If you’re hosting a Galentine’s Day party this year, follow these simple tips and tricks to be sure you enjoy the party as much as your guests do!

Keep the guest list small. Bigger isn’t always better. For a celebration that feels cozy instead of crowded, invite just 6 to 8 guests (or fewer). If your circle of friends is on the larger side, the more the merrier it is!

Set the table ahead of time. Future you will thank you when your friends arrive and all that’s left to do is pour yourself a cocktail. I always set the table one to two days ahead of time. This helps keep things organized and allows time to make adjustments to the tablescape or order more supplies if needed.

Stick with a color scheme. A simple palette – soft pinks and whites mixed with just a splash of red – instantly makes everything look pulled together.

Use what you already own. No need to buy all new everything. Pull out your neutral plates, platters and linens to use as a foundation for the decor. Then add in a few hand-selected items that fit the theme without overpowering the space.

Bake ahead. Whether you’re making cake or cookies, cupcakes or candy, plan to prep dessert a day or two before the party. Create a decadent dessert bar using cake stands and platters of various heights. Some of my favorite desserts for Galentine’s Day are my Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, The Best Brown Butter Brownies and these Funfetti Sugar Cookies with red, white and pink sprinkles.

Create a “help yourself” moment. A self-serve cocktail or dessert station (hello hot cocoa bar!) allows guests to enjoy a DIY moment and gives you more time to mix and mingle.

Tah-dah! You’re ready to host your own Galentine’s Day party with your best gal pals. Go forth and spread the love!

Happy Galentine’s Day!

Looking for more Valentine’s Day dessert inspiration? Click here.

Need a gift for your special someone? Check out my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.

Click here for everything you need to make a fun and festive balloon ceiling – no helium needed! Just inflate the balloons, tie on ribbons, and adhere to the ceiling with a glue dot. So easy!