Tips on how to throw a memorable Galentine’s Day celebration with a favorite things theme are sure to help you have a fun event with friends!

Did you ever watch the show Parks and Recreation?

Did you know Leslie Knope started a holiday back in 2010 on the show to celebrate the closest gal friends in her life?

She named it Galentine’s Day and it is now officially February 13th every year ❤️.

Okay maybe it’s not an official US Holiday. But still- it’s become a pretty big deal in mainstream gal pal life over the years 😉.

Some have even gone so far to say Galentine’s Day is more celebrated than Valentine’s Day nowadays!

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In a rush?

Make a Guest List

Do you and your significant other still do something on this Hallmark holiday? I am not a big fan of crowds so my husband and I try to spend a special day together a few days before or after the 14th.

But in 2020, I decided to invite my book club friends over to celebrate our friendship with our first ever Galentine’s Day party!

And make no mistake – this is absolutely a new favorite tradition for me and my gal pals!

If you don’t have a book club or bunco group to invite over (consider reading my post on how to start a book club!) but also – think about whose friendship you would like to celebrate!

We have 12 members in our book club but usually have 2-3 that can’t make it to this Galentine’s Day celebration.

Send Pretty Invitations

Whether you let your friends know the details of your party via text, email, or old fashioned snail mail – every mode can be done in style ;).

The first year we held this event, I used an Evite email.

Then for the last two years, I’ve been using the Studio by GoDaddy app to make a “flyer” to text in our group chat.

But if you are motivated – you can definitely find some cute paper ones out there. And if you are REALLY REALLY motivated – you can make your own to send to your pals.

Use Festive Serving Dishes

My personal choice is to not use disposable serving dishes or tableware.

However, if you decide to go that route – Target and the Dollar Store have some great options!

A couple of years ago, I found this cute heart platter that I have used in the past.

This year I found a stunning heart collection with appetizer plates and a pretty platter that I have ordered and plan to use for the party in February.

Decorate with Galentine’s Day Decor

Balloons

In the past, I have used a balloon arch that you can make yourself from Etsy. They are much easier than they look. But I will say they take a decent amount of time to make.

I made mine the night before so that I wouldn’t have to worry about it the day of my celebration :).

That year, I set up the balloon arch around my faux mantel so that we would have the perfect backdrop for photos we would be taking that night!

In 2021, I had hosted a memorial service for a loved one the week before my Galentine’s Day celebration and was able to use the special balloons from that celebration of life a week later with my gal friends.

My sweet friend Anna, from the company Gather and Pop provided all the balloons for my loved one’s celebration and if you are local – she is a beautiful and caring person to work with ❤️.

Then in 2022, I moved the photo spot to be in my kitchen nook and used paper streamers with #GALS balloons as the backdrop.

Last year I added large XOXO balloons to the dining room so that the room is extra cheery while we eat our Galentine’s meal ;).

An Over the Table Rod

My often Instagrammed best selling over the table rod is of course used for Galentine’s Day decor!

While my felt hearts above are no longer being sold, here is a good felt substitute and a pretty jute option.

Banners

A few years ago, I used a cute burlap heart banner from Etsy and a Galentine’s Day word banner on Amazon.

Flowers

The first year I hosted this event (ie 2020), I bought some pink tulips at Trader Joe’s to use in a handful of places around the house.

And red and white roses from Costco for the dining room table…

And for my 2021 celebration, I purchased gorgeous flower bouquets from UrbanStems.com.

They were truly stunning and lasted for a couple of weeks!

Then in 2022 I worked with Afloral to make some gorgeous table centerpieces with an assortment of their white, beige, and blush stems.

Set Pretty Table Settings

Hester and Cook has such fun paper goods for your table setting shipping but be sure to plan ahead for shipping times ;0.

In 2020, I used a roll of white paper as my table runner and wrote XOXO all over it with chalk.

Each place setting had a Hester & Cook red heart (no longer available), shiplap placemats, and white doilies.

The cute Leslie Knope saying cards are no longer available but I found another set of postcards for my 2021 Galentine’s Day celebration.

In 2021, I decided to not use red in my color scheme but instead went with pinks!

These Hester & Cook peony placemats were perfect for that color scheme ;).

Here is what I did for last year’s place settings:

You can find the LOVE ribbon here, white charger plates here, and pink napkins here.

You can find the pink votive candleholders I used here and pink bud vases here.

Have a Small Gift for Each Gal Pal

At each place setting I always give each of my friends a little goodie bag.

One of my favorite items to add to the bag is from Saje called a Relax-O-Ring. If you haven’t heard of it – go check them out!! I have them lying around my house EVERYWHERE!!

And in 2021, I gave each of them my favorite lip balm and the above Relax-O-Ring!!

Last year, I made individual lavender bouquets to add to each place setting.

I am thinking of making mini bouquets with these pink dried flowers for my 2024 party…

Instead of the wooden houses from my friend at Rustic Occasion, this year I will be adding a marble heart ornament at each place setting ;).

Be Prepared for Photo Opps

If you didn’t take pics of your gathering – did it even happen?

Just kidding!

But seriously – everyone loves taking fun photos with each other – especially gal pals!

You can find fun photo props here.

Leave a few extra xoxo balloons lying around to also be used for photo props…

Plan a Leslie Knope Approved Menu

Now for the best part- the MENU!!

We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter but work is third. -Leslie Knope

I have always followed the Leslie Knope guidelines for our menu with waffles…

Last year I bought this warming tray for all my entertaining and have loved how easy it is to use!

Suggestions for Waffle Bar Toppings

• fresh berries
• maple syrup
• butter
• apple cider jam from Trader Joe’s
• chocolate chips
• sliced bananas
• yogurt
• whipped cream

A Charcuterie Board

Have you noticed the popularity of charcuterie boards these last few years?? I mean, I honestly wouldn’t dream of hosting a party without one at this point!!

I am still a tad intimidated by the making of them but that gets less and less with every board prep ;).

This heart cheeseboard or this one are both perfect for your Galentine’s Day party!

A Sweets Table

Here are some fun ideas for a super tasty sweets table:

• Donuts – especially Krispy Kremes! Or find a tasty local donut shop ;).
• A strawberry cake
• Strawberries and marshmallow cream cheese dip
• Chocolates – Trader Joe’s is my go to for party chocolates…
• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Macarons
• Valentine’s gummy candies

Other Menu Ideas

Arugula salad

Sliced cucumbers and ranch dip

Bruschetta and bread

A Beverage Corner

Set up a pitcher of water with strawberries and limes, a pitcher of a cocktail mixer with champagne and a drink dispenser with a delicious whiskey recipe that I have linked below on a bar cart.

HGTV Boozy Berry Patch Lemonade

I keep a box of plastic/disposable champagne glasses available for gatherings in my party supplies stash :).

Have a Favorite Things Theme Gift Exchange

This is not a Leslie Knope Galentine’s Day celebration tradition.

In fact I actually combine Joanna Gaines’ Favorite Things theme with my Galentine’s Day celebration :0.

Simply put – I have each of my besties bring a present to exchange of one or a few of their favorite items from the year.

We run the gift exchange in the typical fashion of picking a number out of a hat. We also have a “three steals” rule so that after the third set of hands – the present can no longer be stolen.

The person with number one is the last to be able to steal all the previous gifts opened before them ;).

I hope this post was helpful to you in planning your Galentine’s Day celebration – hopefully with a favorite things theme ;).

I look forward to it every year now and am looking foward to our 2024 party coming up on February 10th!

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Have a wonderful day my friend! I hope something makes you smile today ;).