Wednesday, January 29, 2020

How to Host the Perfect Galentine’s Day Bash

how to throw the ultimate Galentine's Day party

Galentine’s Day has officially transcended the television screen, where it was mentioned by Leslie Knope on “Parks & Recreation,” to become a holiday that many hold near and dear to their hearts. Celebrated on Feb. 13, the holiday is meant to be a day wherein you celebrate the leading ladies in your life–and we can’t think of a better reason to gather around the table (or bar)!

While Galentine’s celebrations can really take any form you’re partial to, we’ve rounded up some food, drinks, and party accessories that will help you toast to the leading ladies in your life.

Step 1: Set the Scene

You’re definitely going to need to set the scene, but don’t worry—that doesn’t mean breaking the bank. In addition to purchasing some cute decorative accessories, make sure to bust out anything pink and red you already own. Also acceptable: glitter and metallic gold.

XO Garland, $8 on Etsy

XOXO garland

Pennant Parties/Etsy

This garland would be so perfect for the mantle, door frame, or even draped across your kitchen cabinets. It definitely makes a big impact for less money.Buy Now

Candy Hearts 3-Wick Candle, $24.50 at Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works Valentine candle

Bath & Body Works

There’s no better scene-setter than placing candles around your home. Bath & Body Works has some beautiful (-looking and -smelling!) candles available that are perfect for any Galentine’s celebration, whether you want to get cutesy with a candy-inspired option or go elegant with sophisticated floral scents.Buy Now

Vintage Style Goblets, 6 for $36.99 on Amazon

Vintage Style Goblets

Amazon

These gorgeous vintage-looking goblets are the perfect glassware for your Galentine’s bash. Their light pink hue is so pretty you’ll definitely use them year-round.Buy Now

Opalhouse Dobby Print Terry Kitchen Towel, $2.99 at Target

Valentine towel

Target

While you don’t necessarily need to decorate your entire place in pink and red, make sure to grab some fun dish towels or other small details that will make all of your friends grin. This subtle heart-stitched cutie is under $3 at Target.Buy Now

Mosser Pink Milk Glass 10-Inch Cake Stand, $49.99 at Sur La Table

Mosser Pink Milk Glass 10-Inch Cake Stand

Sur La Table

This classic cake stand would be perfect for displaying your Galentine’s treats, but the pale pink color and clean lines make it usable for the rest of the year too. (If you don’t want to invest quite as much, here’s a similar model in melamine for $18.99).Buy Now

Gold-Trimmed Pastel Heart Plates, 8 for $6-$7 on Etsy

Gold-Trimmed Pastel Heart Plates

Witty Bash/Etsy

These pastel plates are simply adorable, whether you use them to serve up cake or snacks or stick them up on the wall as a temporary art installation. You get 8 different colors in each pack and can choose large or small.Buy Now

Step 2: Drink Up!

Galentine’s Day calls for the most delicious, friendship-affirming cocktails. Of course, it’s never a bad idea to throw in a couple of wine options as well. While you’re welcome to pre-make some cocktails for the girls, it could also be a fun activity to do together.

Honeymoon in Paris

Del Frisco’s Grille

The Honeymoon in Paris, which lives on the menu at Del Frisco’s Grille, is the perfect sweet, fresh cocktail that will have the girls asking you for the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces Cognac
  • 1/2 ounce Benedictine
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce lavender syrup
  • 1/2 ounce apricot nectar

Instructions:

  • In a shaker, combine the ingredients with ice and shake well.
  • Strain and pour.

D.O.M Benedictine Liqueur, price & availability varies on Drizly

Twenty seven carefully selected herbs and spices make this liqueur unmistakable.
Buy Now

Zuma Mai Tai

Zuma Restaurant

It may be the middle of winter, but you and your best girlfriends will think you’re on the beach with this take on a classic Mai Tai from the restaurant Zuma.

Ingredients:

  • 2 dashes orange bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1/4 ounce orgeat (almond cordial)
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce blood orange juice
  • 1 1/2 ounces pineapple puree
  • 2 1/2 ounces Zuma grog (or try our Grog recipe)

Instructions:

  • In a shaker, combine the ingredients with ice and shake well.
  • Strain into a pint glass with crushed ice.
  • Garnish with a mint plouche, dried lime wheel, cherry skewer, and a straw.

Small Hands Foods Orgeat Syrup, $14.99 on Amazon

No Mai Tai is complete without sweet and nutty almond cordial!
Buy Now

Little Pink Pearl

non-alcoholic drink mocktail recipe

Chowhound

Orgeat also adds great flavor and body to mocktails, like this pearly pink one with red grapefruit juice. Get our Little Pink Pearl Mocktail recipe.

Premium Wine Variety Pack, $99 at WineSociety

WineSociety canned wines

WineSociety

This sleek black box contains nine cans of red, white, and rosé wine blends that all of your friends are absolutely sure to love.Buy Now

Step 3: Let Them Eat Cake! (And Other Treats)

Everyone looks forward to food at any party, and while you’re welcome to host a full-blown feast, having the girls over for some tasty treats is never the wrong move. Plus, fun fact: Calories don’t count on Galentine’s Day. These will bring a smile to all of your girlfriends’ faces.

Red Velvet Cake

red velvet cake recipe

Chowhound

Red velvet cake is not only one of the most delicious, decadent desserts—it’s absolutely perfect for Galentine’s Day. Our simple recipe is is based on the one from “The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook” by Matt and Ted Lee. Cream cheese icing? You better believe it. Get our Red Velvet Cake recipe.

Zola Bakes Valentine’s Day Rainbow Cookies, 20 for $56 on Goldbelly

Zola Bakes Valentine's Day Rainbow Cookies

Goldbelly

If you’d rather go the store-bought route, these limited-edition Valentine’s versions of the classic Italian rainbow cookies are truly special. And they’re more like little bites of moist almond cake than cookies, perfect for nibbling, no forks required. Some are layered with raspberry jam, others with Nutella, and all have either a white or dark chocolate drip with lovely decorations—splurge-worthy in every sense.Buy Now

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries, $44.99 at Harry & David

Harry & David Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Harry & David

Is there a better treat for the ladies than chocolate-covered strawberries? Get a full dozen with a variety of flavors, including milk, dark chocolate, and white chocolate versions.Buy Now

Angel Food Bakery XOXO Valentine’s Cake Donuts, 12 for $89 on Goldbelly

best mail order Valentine's Day food gifts to have delivered

Goldbelly

Doughnuts are always a hit, plus it’s super easy to arrange them on a gorgeous cake stand for presentation. These Angel Food Bakery treats feature a mix of vanilla and chocolate glazed doughnuts in the cutest shapes. But don’t worry, I’m sure none of your friends will mind if you go the Krispy Kreme route either. (See more Valentine’s treats you can have delivered—for Galentine’s Day too!)Buy Now

Jeni’s Crowd Pleaser Collection, $58 at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Jeni's Crowd Pleaser Ice Cream Collection

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

While an ice cream sundae bar would also be amazing, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream collected some of their most crowd-pleasing flavors in one set—Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Coffee with Cream & Sugar, Darkest Chocolate, Gooey Butter Cake, and Middle West Whiskey & Pecans don’t need anything else but some silverware. So break out the spoons and pass these pints around.Buy Now

Heart-Shaped Pizza

how to make a heart-shaped pizza for Valentine's Day

Shutterstock

It never hurts to have some actual, non-dessert food available for the girls that showed up hungry. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up the perfect gear to help you make a heart-shaped pizza.

Detroit Pizza Co Heart Shaped Pizza Three-Pack, $79 on Goldbelly

Or you can order that online too.
Buy Now

Step 4: Entertain the Girls!

There’s nothing wrong with watching a move (or three) or just catching up, but it never hurts to have a few activities on hand. Board games are a given, but consider these too:

Valentine’s Day Photo Props, $9.99 on Amazon

Amazon

Snap a photo to commemorate your sweet evening with good friends.Buy Now

Cupcake Decorating Kit, $11.99 on Amazon

Amazon

This doesn’t have to be a huge part of your evening if you don’t want it to be, but you could set up a cupcake decorating station and let your friends head on over and decorate to their hearts’ content. If you’re all into DIY, then take the opportunity to get in on a group activity and make your own dessert.Buy Now

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Party Favors!

At the end of the evening, send everyone home with a little something.

Galentine’s Day Temporary Tattoos, 3 for $2 on Etsy

Etsy Galentine's Day Temporary Tattoos

Ducky Street/Etsy

Make your mark with these temporary tattoos proclaiming your membership in a Girl Gang and Bad Ass Babes Club. Cheaper than getting the real thing, and no regrets.Buy Now

Check out our Galentine’s Day Gift Guide for more great ideas, or browse our Valentine’s Day Gift Guides for your girls.

The Best Galentine's Gifts for Your Best Girls


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