Home Holidays Valentine's Day
Lauren CahnUpdated: Dec. 07, 2023
This February 13th, make your girls feel special by throwing a Galentine's Day party that celebrates your cherished friendship.
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What’s Galentine’s Day? “Oh, it’s only the BEST day of the year,” according to Leslie Knope, overachieving deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, on TV’s Parks and Recreation. Here’s how to throw an epic Galentine’s Day celebration of your own.
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Start with a healthy appreciation for the holiday
“Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast-style,” says Leslie Knope, explaining Galentine’s Day in the Parks and Recreation episode appropriately titled “Galentine’s Day.” It’s “ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst…plus frittatas.”
With that in mind, plus these egg-cellent egg recipes, you’re ready to plan your own Galentine’s Day gala.
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Assemble the squad
Make a list of female friends, and then make like Santa and check it twice to make sure no one’s left out. Galentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the girlfriends who make life wonderful, so be as inclusive as your budget allows. You could even invite each of your friends to invite a friend.
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Pick a proper venue
Leslie Knope hosts her Galentine’s Day gatherings at a restaurant where the frittatas are fluffy, the waffles are legendary and the whipped cream is plentiful. You can plan your own party for a restaurant or you can plan it for home (or, if it’s a group of work friends, there’s always the conference room).
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Email the invites
Since Galentine’s Day celebrates female friendship, how about honoring our best friend of all, Mother Nature? Paperless invitations are a smart way to do that.
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Master the menu
If you’re hosting Galentine’s Day at a restaurant, avoid the awkwardness of menus by preselecting a choice of two or three well-loved dishes. If you’re hosting at home, consider asking each friend to bring something for the group. Who doesn’t love a potluck? You can even include links to your favorite potluck salad recipes in the invitation.
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Serve pink drinks
Although not every woman appreciates a pink and frothy drink, you can bet that this pink party punch will be a hit. You can spike the punch with champagne for an extra kick, but let your friends know in advance so they can plan their day accordingly.
See all the drinks perfect for a Galentine’s Day party.
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Turn on great music
Make a playlist that includes classic, upbeat friendship-themed tunes like Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” and Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend.” Caution: Listen responsibly. “The Wind Beneath My Wings” may cause intense feels.
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Break out the chocolate
Girlfriends and chocolate go together like chocolate and, well, everything. Since it’s wintertime, consider serving hot chocolate, or have this five-ingredient chocolate fudge out for nibbling. Or there’s always the option of laying out bowls brimming with Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses.
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Give out valentines for Galentine’s
Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, consider giving each of your gals a handwritten Galentine’s Day note saying why her friendship is meaningful to you. You can also decorate with Valentine’s Day hearts and flowers and liberal use of the color red. Or serve any of these Valentine’s Day cookies.
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Play gal games
Leslie Knope includes storytelling as part of her Galentine’s Day tradition. You can do that. Or you can play slumber party-esque games such as “Never Have I Ever.” Or organize a game of Pictionary or charades.
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Instagram it
Come up with an Instagram hashtag and notify your guests about it. Ask them to hashtag fun photos of themselves with friends, especially mutual friends. During the party, gather everyone around for a group selfie, and upload it to your Insta with the hashtag.
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Send your squad home with friendship favors
What says “friendship” better than a mason jar layered with the ingredients for mint cocoa mix? You can buy mason jars in bulk at big-box stores like Target, or you can order them from Amazon.
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Originally Published: December 06, 2018
Lauren Cahn
Lauren Cahn is a New York-based writer whose work has appeared regularly in The Huffington Post as well as a variety of other publications since 2008 on such topics as life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertaining and entertainment. She is also a writer of crime fiction; her first full-length manuscript, The Trust Game, was short-listed for the 2017 CLUE Award for emerging talent in the genre of suspense fiction.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in the field of social events and celebrations, I can confidently say that I have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to organizing and planning various types of parties. I have dedicated countless hours to researching and understanding the dynamics of different celebrations, including Galentine's Day.
Galentine's Day is a concept that gained popularity after it was introduced in the TV show "Parks and Recreation." It is a day dedicated to celebrating the special bond between female friends and emphasizing the importance of female friendship. Leslie Knope, the overachieving deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Indiana, describes Galentine's Day as a day where "ladies celebrate ladies" and enjoy a breakfast-style gathering.
To plan a successful Galentine's Day party, there are several key concepts that need to be considered. First and foremost, it is important to have a healthy appreciation for the holiday and the significance of female friendship. Galentine's Day is all about celebrating the girlfriends who make life wonderful, so inclusivity should be a priority. Make sure to create a guest list that includes all your female friends, and encourage them to invite their own friends as well.
The venue for your Galentine's Day party can be a restaurant known for its delicious and indulgent breakfast options, or you can choose to host the gathering at home. If you opt for a restaurant, make sure to select a place that offers a variety of dishes that cater to different tastes. If you decide to host at home, consider organizing a potluck where each friend can bring a dish to share. Potlucks not only add variety to the menu but also allow everyone to contribute and showcase their culinary skills.
When sending out the invitations, consider using paperless invitations as a way to honor Mother Nature. There are many online platforms that offer customizable digital invitations, which can be easily sent to all your friends. Include links to your favorite potluck salad recipes in the invitation to give your guests some inspiration.
To set the mood for your Galentine's Day party, make sure to have a playlist of upbeat and friendship-themed songs. Classics like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, and "You're My Best Friend" by Queen are great choices. Remember to listen responsibly, as some songs may evoke intense emotions.
No Galentine's Day party is complete without some delicious treats. Chocolate is a popular choice, so consider serving hot chocolate or preparing a five-ingredient chocolate fudge. Another option is to have bowls filled with Hershey's Hugs and Kisses for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, you can give each of your friends a handwritten Galentine's Day note expressing why their friendship is meaningful to you.
To keep the party entertaining, consider incorporating games and activities. Storytelling, as inspired by Leslie Knope, can be a fun and engaging activity. You can also play slumber party-esque games such as "Never Have I Ever," organize a game of Pictionary or charades, or even set up a photo booth for memorable pictures. Encourage your guests to use a specific Instagram hashtag for the event and take group selfies to share on social media.
Lastly, to show your appreciation for your friends, consider sending them home with friendship favors. A mason jar layered with the ingredients for mint cocoa mix is a thoughtful and personalized gift. Mason jars can be bought in bulk at big-box stores or ordered online.
In conclusion, Galentine's Day is a special occasion that allows us to celebrate the incredible friendships we have with our female friends. By following these concepts and ideas, you can create an unforgettable Galentine's Day party that truly honors the bond of female friendship.
