Hot take: Valentine’s Day parties are vastly underrated. Forget a romantic dinner for two at a snooty restaurant! Throw a rager (or, like, a fun lil brunch) with your entire friend group instead. Go all out with decorations and give each other homemade valentines (!). Throw in a few themed co*cktails too, and you’ve got a soiree that rivals any other. After all, V-Day is a time to celebrate all love—which is def an excuse to have a party with your BFFs. (Your boo can come too, of course.)
The hidden lil bonus about all this? Valentine’s Day is such an aesthetically pleasing holiday. There’s the red and the pink and the chocolate and a very good reason to bring back rosé season early. It honestly makes me wonder why there aren’t more V-Day parties happening every year. This is a missed opportunity, people! It’s time to embrace the cheesy, lovey-dovey feels and put these 35 snazzy Valentine’s Day party ideas to good use.
Go ahead and scroll through for some fun party-planning tips that will make your V-Day bash the envy of the newsfeed.
1. Send some sexy-ass invites.
Get your crew psyched with all the deets on your festive event. You could make it super cute and go the snail-mail route. Or if you’re looking for something more immediate, then a perfectly designed digital invite sent straight to their emails could be just the choice for you.
2. Plan a fun party game.
Yes, talking sh*t is a sport, but change things up with this card game that might make you laugh so hard you pee a little.
3. Get the drinks ready.
Whip up an easy Valentine’s Day co*cktail recipe for your party guests or keep it simple and just grab yourself a nice bottle of whiskey, wine, or alcohol-free spirits. (Yes, those exist!)
4. Prep a cute lil craft.
All good soirees have a fun activity—which can totally mean doing a V-Day craft. (They’re not just for kids, okay?) Make each other some DIY cards! Once co*cktails get passed around, people are bound to get creative.
5. Set up a romantic movie room.
For guests who just want a moment away from the chatter (or couples who want a sec to snug), a movie room is the perf addition to any party. Throw on a romantic film, dim the lights, and give the partygoers a place to relax.
6. Do some fortune telling.
Friends of any relationship status can enjoy this gorgeously illustrated deck of future-revealing tarot cards. (Or amp up the ~sexy vibes~ with an erotically themed deck instead.)
7. Make some fancy cubes.
Those not imbibing (or those who just want a vodka soda) are gonna need some ice. Fill your bucket with these rosy cubes. To make them, pluck the petals from two or three roses and add them to a basic tray, filling it halfway with distilled water before you pop the whole thing in the freezer. After a few hours, fill the rest of the tray with more H2O, then freeze again so the petals sit smack dab in the center when it comes time to serve.
Get the recipe at HelloFresh.
8. Set up a DIY photo booth.
Now’s the time to use that random spare wall in your apartment. Set up an Insta-worthy backdrop by covering a wall with glitter-foil and other festive items. Order some uh-mazing on-brand props and balloons, and snap and share.
9. Come dressed on theme.
I’m not saying you gotta show up to your own party dressed in lingerie—but I’m certainly not stopping you if you feel like wearing something a lil special under your party clothes. Aside from lace frills and strappy garments, there’s a slew of other V-Day-themed ’fits you could get all gussied up in.
10. Seal your party favors with a kiss.
After the party, you could send everyone a quick thank-you text. Or you could get really cute with it and mail each attendee a sweet postcard, complete with a very Valentine’s Day lipstick print right next to your signature.
11. Have a little spa day.
Self-love is the best kind of love. So why not give your party a "treat yourself" theme and curate a relaxing mini oasis? Set up a mani/pedi station, have a massage gun ready, and maybe even light some candles to *really* set the scene.
12. Do a "secret cupid" gift exchange.
Gift swap parties shouldn't be reserved for December! Have your guests bring a small token that falls under an agreed-upon price limit. Then, once your guests arrive, put everyone's name in a hat, and whoever you draw gets your present!
13. Bake and decorate!
This is the holiday where people with a sweet tooth thrive. Exactly why it's the perfect opportunity for a baking party. If you don't want to bake something from scratch, you could opt to decorate pre-made cookies, or ice some cupcakes instead.
14. Host a classy dinner party.
Obviously "dinner for two" is the most steadily established V-Day idea of all time. Let's take it up a notch with "dinner for [insert # of invitees here]." Design a cute menu, create a Valentine's Day-themed tablescape, and make sure you tell your guests to dress to impress. This will make for a great photo op and IRL experience.
15. Make flower bouquets.
Sure, receiving a bouquet is "nice" and all (OK, it's actually really cute and I get emotional every time, I can't even downplay it), but making bouquets with your friends? New levels of all the feels, truly. Plus, it's an engaging party activity with a gorgeous outcome! For your stem supply, have everyone bring a bouquet of a specific type of flowers so that they can add them to the main pile. Make sure to have butcher paper and cute ribbons present as well!
16. Create candles together.
This is another cool, creative endeavor for your group. Just order a couple of candle-making kits and V-Day decor! At the end, you and your guests will have sweet-smelling candles ready to use on your own or gift to a loved one.
17. Make appreciation slideshows.
"Slideshow nights" are all the rage on TikTok, and for a good reason. Everyone comes with a hilarious presentation on a specific subject prepared, and in the spirit of V-Day, your subject should be Bestie Appreciation. You can include little-known facts, favorite memories, the works. You know this'll cause some happy tears to flow.
18. Do a wine swap.
Here's a low-stakes activity that will get the party going. Have everyone bring their favorite bottle and wrap it up nicely, then place it on a table as they arrive. From there, every guest can pick a random bottle to keep (or pop open then and there, because why the hell not?).
19. Have a fun sleepover.
The party should never end! Embrace your inner giggly teen and turn the shindig into an overnight affair. Make the dress code matching PJs to really take things a step further.
20. Write platonic love letters.
Corny? Yes. Heartwarming? Yes—with emphasis. Penning each other professions of love on cute stationery is the perfect way to honor both your friends and the season. Extra points if you've got anyone with cool calligraphy skills in your group.
21. Whip up pink mimosas.
Prosecco and orange juice can be mixed on any given Sunday. But for this holiday, give it a remix and swap the OJ for pink lemonade. Enjoy!
22. Set up some mood lighting.
It's all about the ambiance, y'all. So, for your V-Day soiree, invest in some heart-shaped string lights to hang in the space and set the mood.
23. Order heart-shaped pizzas.
Around this time of the year, nationwide chains like Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and California Pizza Kitchen offer heart-shaped pies during the week of V-Day. If you'd rather DIY, shape your pizza dough in a heart-shaped tin for precision purposes!
24. Keep the fondue on deck.
I don't care who you are, there's something about a fondue machine that gets everybody excited. Whether it's got cheese for the savory folks or chocolate for the sweet-toothers, a dip fountain can and will elevate any event.
25. Have heart-shaped fruit and veggie platters.
If you want to get really festive, place your mini bites in heart-shaped serving trays. Why take on the Valentine's Day theme if you're not going to committ? Even the appetizers should feel the love!
26. Order custom candy hearts.
Ready for the cutest goodie bag idea? Send your guest home with branded candy. You can order personalized hearts online and get them to say "[Your Name's] V-Day Party," funny inside jokes, or whatever your heart desires (pun intended hehe).
27. Make bracelets.
Ah, friendship bracelets. A time-honored tradition. They're essentially platonic engagement rings if you think about it, so it's only right that you and your crew make them for each other at your party.
28. Set up a lovey-dovey playlist.
Build a collaborative playlist on Spotify! All of your partygoers can add their fave romantic tunes, and each of you gets a chance to play DJ for the night.
29. Get some karaoke going.
No need for stellar vocals! Just a karaoke machine and a setlist of popular throwback tunes to please your adoring fans (aka your friends). No activity will bond a group more.
30. Do a scavenger hunt.
Now, is this the first activity that pops into your head when you think of Valentine's Day? Probably not. But you can make it a whole thing with candy prizes and V-Day-themed riddles, and with one these printable clues available online!
31. Play rom-com charades.
Forget about regular charades. Test your group's essential rom-com knowledge with a few rounds of charades specifically focused on the classic movies in this genre. If the performances are particularly tragic, you'll know it's time to make the night a movie marathon instead.
32. Play Prosecco pong!
It's literally just beer pong, but prettier. Clear a table, pop open your bubbly, and get your game faces ready.
33. Hand out accessories to wear.
When you look around the room and see your friends dripped out in heart headbands and cupid wings, you'll thank me. The V-day dress-up opportunities are vast, so stock up on the cutest options and have your guests model them all night.
34. Distribute disposable cameras.
These are great for capturing memories throughout the night. By making every one of your guests participate, the event pics that you develop will have a wide range of ~artistic visions~ and perspectives. That's exactly the kind of variety we like to see!
35. Play Guess Who?
Times like these are when you should get to know your buds. Have everybody write down random fun facts about themselves on pieces of paper, and then go around in a circle drawing them from a hat. Whoever guesses the most correctly gets best friend bragging rights.
Annabel Iwegbue
Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Here's some information related to the various concepts discussed in the article:
Valentine's Day Parties:
Valentine's Day parties are a fun way to celebrate love and friendship. They offer an alternative to traditional romantic dinners and provide an opportunity to gather with friends and loved ones. These parties can include various activities, such as games, crafts, movie screenings, and themed decorations. They can be held at home or at a venue, depending on the size and preferences of the group [[35]].
Party Planning Tips:
The article provides several party planning tips for a successful Valentine's Day bash. These tips include sending invitations, planning fun party games, preparing drinks (including co*cktails and alcohol-free options), organizing craft activities, setting up a movie room, engaging in fortune-telling activities, creating DIY photo booths, dressing up on theme, and giving out party favors [[1]].
Invitations:
Invitations are an important part of any party. The article suggests sending out invitations to inform guests about the event and get them excited. It offers options for both physical and digital invitations, such as snail mail or digital e-vites [[1]].
Party Games:
To keep the party entertaining, the article suggests planning fun party games. One game mentioned is "Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates" by Jack Dire Studios, which involves humorous card-based gameplay [[2]].
Drinks:
Drinks are an essential part of any party. The article suggests preparing Valentine's Day-themed co*cktails or offering a selection of whiskey, wine, or alcohol-free spirits. It provides examples of specific drink options, such as Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, Borsao Rosé 2020, Three Spirit Livener, and Cincoro Resposado Tequila [[3]].
Crafts:
Craft activities can add a creative and interactive element to a Valentine's Day party. The article suggests making DIY cards as a craft activity that guests can enjoy. It also provides examples of craft supplies, such as Make It Real DIY Charm-Bracelet-Making Kit and funkychickenscoop 300 Paper Die-Cut Hearts [[4]].
Movie Room:
Creating a movie room at the party can provide a cozy and relaxing space for guests. The article suggests setting up a room with dimmed lights, a projector, and a popcorn machine. It also provides examples of specific products, such as Auking Mini Projector, P-JING Projector Screen, and West Bend Theater-Style Popcorn Popper Machine [[5]].
Fortune Telling:
Fortune-telling activities can add a mystical and fun element to a Valentine's Day party. The article suggests using gorgeously illustrated tarot cards for fortune-telling. It provides examples of tarot card decks, such as The Cosmo Tarot: The Ultimate Deck and Guidebook, Erotic Tarot of Manara, The Modern Witch Tarot Deck, and Materia Prima Tarot Cards [[6]].
Ice Cubes:
To add a touch of romance to the drinks, the article suggests making heart-shaped ice cubes. It provides a recipe for making rosy ice cubes using rose petals and distilled water [[7]].
DIY Photo Booth:
Setting up a DIY photo booth can provide a fun and memorable activity for guests. The article suggests covering a wall with glitter-foil and other festive items to create an Insta-worthy backdrop. It also recommends using props and balloons for added fun. Examples of specific products mentioned include The Party Balloon "Love" Balloon, USA Sales The Cutest Photo Booth Props, GOER Party Photo Backdrop, and Vivuzono Balloon Garland Kit [[8]].
Dressing on Theme:
Encouraging guests to dress on theme can add to the festive atmosphere of the party. The article suggests wearing Valentine's Day-themed outfits, such as lingerie, lace frills, strappy garments, or other V-Day-inspired clothing options. It provides examples of specific products, such as Savage x Fenty Cotton Essentials Bralette, Victoria's Secret Satin Long PJ Set, Torrid Cap-Sleeve Strappy Babydoll, and Savage x Fenty CLF Fluff'd Up Slippers [[9]].
Party Favors:
Party favors are a thoughtful way to thank guests for attending. The article suggests sending personalized postcards with a Valentine's Day lipstick print as a cute and memorable party favor. It also provides examples of specific lipstick products, such as PATRICK TA Major Beauty Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick, PAT McGRATH LABS Mini Divine Rose Lip Set Trio, and UOMA Beauty Black Magic Carnival Metallic Lipstick in Trinidad [[10]].
These are some of the concepts discussed in this article. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!