valentine's day outfits
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If there’s anything we’ve learned from shows like The Golden Girls, Sex and the City, Insecure, and of course, Parks and Recreation, it’s that romantic love is most definitely not the only kind of love that matters–especially to women. Our female friendships are equally as precious and can have as much impact on our lives as significant others. Hence, the concept of Galentine’s Day was born.

valentines outfit
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Leslie Knope’s fictional holiday that falls on February 13 (Valentine’s Day eve) has only been growing in popularity since its 2010 episode debut. Our girlfriends are there for us through everything, so why not dedicate a day to celebrating them? 

By having a Galentine’s Day event, you can bring your friends together and make the most of the loving holiday. Need ideas? Here’s our guide to planning the best possible Galentine’s Day.  

Galentine’s Day Ideas

The first step in planning an awesome Galentine’s Day event is to decide on a theme. There are countless fun options, from a laid-back slumber party to a fancy night out, that you and your friends can enjoy. We’ve put together some of our favorite Galentine’s Day activities. 

valentines drinks
Image via Stephanie Simmons; Cherry Gin Fizz

DIY Galentine’s Day Brunch

A brunch with your friends is an adorable and delicious way to celebrate Galentine’s Day! Everyone can bring their own dish, or you can all make brunch together. 

Galentine’s brunch is a prime opportunity to have fun with decorations, too. Make a fancy table spread with roses, pink drinks (raspberry sorbet champagne floats, anyone?), and whatever else you and your friends can think of! Bonus points if you use heart-shaped cookie cutters or add red food coloring to make classic brunch foods more on theme! 

bright pink ribbed top and lounge pants
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Movie Night

Movie nights are a perfect way to spend Galentine’s with your friends (who doesn’t love movies?) Encourage your besties to wear comfy outfits or pajamas, and watch romantic (or cheesy) movies together. Let loose and have fun chatting and relaxing, and be sure to bring lots of snacks!

Secret Cupid

For a February pick-me-up, organize a Secret Cupid–it’s an exciting Galentine’s gift exchange! You and your friends can pick names at random, choose small gifts, and bring them to the event. This idea is a great way to connect and show your appreciation for each other.  

red and pink color block pajama set
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Spa Day

Get some much-needed relaxation and girl time this Galentine’s Day with a spa day. Kick back and relax, gossip, and pop open your favorite bottle of sparkling wine. You can all go to a spa together, or you can plan a DIY at-home spa party with your friends.

Fancy Dinner

We all have at least one dress that we’ve been dying to wear out this winter. Get excited about getting dressed up and going to a fancy restaurant with your besties for Galentine’s day. Choose your favorite restaurant, take cute pictures, and enjoy an amazing dinner together. What more could a girl want?

white floral print mini dress
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Fondue Night

For a unique and tasty Galentine’s event, host a Fondue night! Share a pot of melted cheese for the main course, then bring out the chocolate for dessert. Nothing says Galentine’s like strawberries and marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate! 

Tips and Tricks for Any Galentine’s Event:

Once you’ve chosen your Galentine’s day theme, it’s time to start preparing! There are a few key elements that will instantly add extra sparkle to any gathering, so here are some tips for bringing yours to the next level.

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Adorable Decorations: Decorating for your event can be one of the most fun parts of planning. Of course, themed pink or red decorations can be great for the occasion. Cute ways to incorporate your decorations include heart-shaped balloons, playful pink and red table settings, cute themed invitations, and even a DIY photo backdrop!

The Perfect Playlist: You want the right music to add to the energy at your Galentine’s party. Choose songs that are fun, upbeat, and have the word “love” in them. You can also send out a playlist beforehand to let your friends add their own songs for a playlist you all can enjoy. 

chocolate parfaits
Image via Stephanie Simmons; Black Forest Chocolate Parfaits

Lots of Chocolate: Galentine’s is the best time to have chocolate with your friends (but really, when isn’t?), so be sure to have plenty at your event. Find out your friends’ preferred chocolate candies, then think of cute ways to display the chocolate, like putting out a heart-shaped bowl of Hershey’s kisses. 

Galentine’s Valentines: Try building a time into your event where you and your friends can make each other valentines for Galentine’s Day. This is an amazing way to show your love and appreciation for your friendships while making great memories! 

How are you celebrating Galentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments or show us on Instagram or TikTok @lulus! For more love-themed looks, head to our Valentine’s Shop!

This post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated with new content.