Galentine’s Day has become one of my favorite traditions—a celebration of friendship, fun, and fabulous memories with all of the amazing girlies in my life. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or looking to level up your party this year, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned from five years of hosting. From invites to decor, food, and activities, here’s how to throw a party your friends will be talking about for years to come!
Step 1: Create a Stunning Invite with Canva
Every great party starts with an irresistible invitation! For Galentine’s Day (and really any party), I always use Canva—it’s my go-to tool for creating beautiful, personalized invites with minimal effort. Here’s how you can make yours perfect:
- Pick Your Template: Canva offers a treasure trove of Valentine’s- and Galentine’s-themed templates. Browse until you find one that fits your party’s vibe—whether that’s chic, playful, or romantic. Once I find one I like, I’ll usually tweak it to match my style.
- Customize the Colors: Match your party’s palette with shades of pink, red, and gold—or go for a specific theme, think pops of lavender or rose gold. I like to match it to my tablescape of choice for that year. Canva’s tools make it easy to customize every detail.
- Add the Essentials: Be sure to include:
- What: Galentine’s Day Party
- When: Date and time
- Where: Your address
- Dress Code: I always have my girls come in cute pajamas!
- Time to Share!: Download your invite as a PNG and send to your girls! Text is my go-to method, but you can always use an invitation tool if you want to make sure you get RSVPs seamlessly. I typically just track mine via my Notes app.
A fun, creative invite is the first step to getting your guests excited for the part-ay!
Galentine’s Day Pajamas + Outfit Inspo
Step 2: Delicious Food and Drinks
No Galentine’s Day party is complete without a spread of yummy food and drinks, and a cheeseboard is always a showstopper. I always use mine as a table centerpiece.
Here’s how I make mine a success year after year:
- Shop Smart: Aldi is my secret weapon for cheeseboard essentials. They have an amazing selection of high-quality cheeses, crackers, and snacks at budget-friendly prices. Also, don’t forget to check out their “random” aisle — they sometimes have cute decor. Some of my go-to cheeseboard finds include:
- Brie and truffle cheddar for a creamy contrast
- Specialty cheeses like blueberry vanilla goat cheese or pepper jack for a pop of flavor
- Affordable yet elegant accompaniments like olives, hot honey, marcona almonds, and dark chocolate
- Delegate the Love: One of my favorite traditions is turning the cheeseboard into a collaborative effort. I ask each guest to bring their favorite component—think crackers, a unique cheese, savory meats, fresh fruit, or even honey. To keep things balanced, I sometimes create a simple spreadsheet where everyone can sign up for a category. It’s a fun way to ensure variety and get everyone involved! Plus, you never know when you might discover a new favorite.
- Presentation Matters: Arrange everything on a large wooden board or a marble slab for a polished look. I like to fill in gaps with fresh herbs, edible flowers, or even candy hearts for a Galentine’s twist.
- Try Making a Dish Together: One year, we made heart shaped pizzas! So fun if you have a smaller group.
- Sweet Treats are Key: I like making cupcakes because you can use fun cupcake tin liners as another touch of decor for a low budget option. Some years I’ve gone for professional cakes which I loved — we did Taylor Swift themed conversation heart cakes. Other times, I’ve gone for a classic favorite, Nothing But the Bundt cakes or bundtlettes. Chocolate covered strawberries are another fun DIY option!
- Don’t Forget Beveraginos: Pair your cheeseboard with festive cocktails or mocktails. A sparkling rosé or a pink lemonade spritz is always a hit! Champagne coupes are always a favorite decor piece for me — grab a few sets and tie velvet bows around them for a festive touch.
Step 3: Set the Vibes with Thoughtful Decor
Decor sets the tone for your Galentine’s Day party, and I’ve found that you don’t need to break the bank to create a stunning backdrop. Here are my tried-and-true shopping strategies and a few creative ideas:
- Decor Destination Highlights:
- TJ Maxx & HomeGoods: Perfect for finding affordable, high-quality items like festive table runners, serving platters, and seasonal candles. I’ll usually treat myself to a few special pieces each year as I grow my collection.
- Target: From themed paper goods to chic garlands, Target’s party section is always a win — especially the Bullseye’s Playground section. Plus, their pajamas are always on point if you’re aiming for a cozy night in.
- Dollar Tree: My ultimate party-planning hack. Dollar Tree has amazing supplies for decorating on a budget. It’s where I stock up on:
- Balloons (the best deal around!) — just buy your balloons there and it’s $1.25 to fill each with helium. Seriously, I’ve spent hundreds on balloons at Party City … trust me when I say Dollar Tree!
- Festive napkins, plates, and cups — I like grabbing my plastic, single use champagne coupes and tablecloths here.
- Backdrop options: I usually layer a few of their fringe backdrops to create a photo opp spot for my guests. This is inexpensive but effective, especially if you have a blank wall to cover.
- Vases and centerpiece bases
- Amazon: For quick and easy shopping, I’ve created a Galentine’s Day Amazon Storefront featuring my top picks for party essentials. From balloon garland kits to heart-shaped molds, it’s a one-stop shop for your decor needs!
- Handmade Touches: Adding a handmade element to your decor can make your party feel extra special. Last year, I crocheted a cute little garland to hang above the dessert table, and it was such a hit! Whether you knit, paint, or DIY with paper crafts, handmade decor adds a personal and memorable touch.
- Fresh Flowers: For a Galentine’s theme, I love using fresh flowers throughout the space to create a cohesive, natural feel. Trader Joe’s is my go-to spot for this!
Pro Hack: If you’re planning ahead, don’t forget to check clearance sales after Valentine’s Day for discounted decor you can use next year.
Step 4: Plan Fun Activities
Keep the energy flowing with activities that bring everyone together. Some of my favorites:
- Craft Station: Provide supplies for DIY flower bouquets, decorated cookies, or friendship bracelets.
- Photo Booth: Set up a corner with a themed backdrop (see tips above), props, and a Polaroid or instant camera for memories.
- Games Night: It’s always fun to play games like “For the Girls” or “Cards Against Humanity.” One year, we even Airplayed my single friends’ Hinge profiles — made for a good laugh as we swiped through together!
Step 5: Set the Vibes
I love to have a fun playlist full of Taylor Swift and 90s rom-com bangers. I’ll turn on the music and set my TV to a Galentine’s Day background — usually find these on Youtube.
Hosting a Galentine’s Day party is my favorite way to celebrate the incredible women in my life, and I hope these ideas inspire you to create your own gathering. Whether it’s a cozy night in or an all-out bash, the most important thing is celebrating your girls!
Have questions or want more tips? Drop a comment below or check out my Amazon Storefront for more hosting inspo! 💕
