Guest Post By Aja Bradley-Kemp, founder and CEO – Conversate Collective
Galentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 13th, honors female friendships and relationships. It’s a chance for women to spend quality time with the important ladies in their lives and show appreciation for one another.
As an expert in creating memorable experiences, I’ve compiled tips for throwing the perfect Galentine’s party below.
Set the scene
Whether you’re throwing an intimate gathering or planning an event for hundreds of guests, it’s important to set the scene.
Creating the right atmosphere is key. Red and pink decorations are easy to find this time of year, but this might not be the right color scheme for every group of gal pals. Think about your friends and their personalities, as well as their feelings about Valentine’s Day, which will be the next day. For those who appreciate dark humor, black might actually be the better way to go.
When it comes to more practical matters, the first thing to consider is seating. Do you have enough? If not, consider adding more chairs. At the same time, guests need enough room to move around without bumping into one another and tripping over things. This may require shifting some furniture around.
Next, consider how noisy the room is. If it’s too loud, people might feel uncomfortable talking in certain areas of your home or apartment — or they may find it difficult to hear each other over ambient noise levels.
Finally, is there enough light? Dimming some lights or using candles can be great for ambiance, but make sure guests can clearly see where they are going and who they are talking to.
Pick your guests
Before you go into the trouble of inviting anyone, it’s important to know what kind of party you want. If you’re hosting a small get-together at home, invite your best buds for a night of laughter, stories, and fun. If it’s going to be a big bash, you might want to reach out to new people as a way of developing your friendships with them.
No matter the size of the gathering, try to make sure guests don’t feel excluded or awkward. Even if you have a great group of girlfriends who make everyone feel comfortable at every event, there’s still one thing that can ruin even the best parties: bad guests! Don’t invite someone who you know is going to make others uncomfortable. You want to celebrate with people who will help everyone feel good, not put a damper on things.
Is it okay to invite men? Different people answer that question differently. I recommend only inviting men who can get into the spirit of Galentine’s Day. The purpose of this party is to celebrate women and women’s friendships. It’s a chance for women to have fun on their own terms. Male guests who would understand these goals and contribute to a positive atmosphere could be welcome.
Plan an activity
Many different activities can work for Galentine’s Day. You might watch a movie, play games, or create art projects together. Other ideas include doing a spa day, going shopping, taking a cooking class, conducting a wine tasting, or dancing.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something everyone will enjoy. During the planning phase, think about your guests’ interests and abilities. Make sure your guests know what they’re getting into ahead of time.
If you are going to be making a craft or cooking something together, double-check that you have enough supplies. It’s also best to have additional items on hand, since the activity may turn out to be more popular than expected.
Lastly, make sure the activity isn’t going to break the bank. You want everyone to have a good time without feeling stressed about how much money they spent on this event.
Honor each other
Galentine’s Day is a great chance to tell your friends how much they mean to you. Choose a card they are likely to enjoy and write out something heartfelt, like “You are the best friend I’ve ever had” or “Thank you for always being there for me.”
Does that sound cheesy? Studies show that thanking others can boost your own happiness.
Giving your friends gifts is another great way to show them how much you care. When you give someone a present that suits their specific taste, it makes them feel seen and appreciated. Another option is to get the same item for everyone in the group – this has a unifying effect.
Finally, consider taking pictures together. Make sure you have your guests’ permission before posting these on social media or tagging people, since some may have sensitivities around appearing on these platforms.
If a friend can’t be there with you, send them an email or text – perhaps with a photo of the group – letting them know how much you miss them. That way, they will also feel included.
Food and drink
Decadent treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries or heart-shaped cookies make great Galentine’s Day offerings. You might also choose to celebrate your friendship over a delicious meal.
For smaller gatherings, consider asking guests if they have any dietary restrictions and planning accordingly. If a guest is allergic to anything, it’s particularly important to avoid those ingredients.
For larger parties, consider labeling each dish is with a list of the ingredients, and flagging vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free items. That way, guests will know which foods they can eat without having to ask.
When it comes to drinking, champagne is a fun choice, and alcoholic beverages have been traditional. The recent trend in nonalcoholic options has opened up a wide range of new possibilities as well.
As you can see, there’s no single magic formula for throwing the perfect Galentine’s party. But with these tips in mind, you will create a night of fun with your friends that they will never forget.
