Love is in the air, but there aren’t just romantic feelings floating around: Galentine’s Day has become just as popular as its traditional counterpart, if not more. With its focus on invaluable, sometimes-lifelong platonic friendships, it’s a holiday well worth celebrating.
While there’s nothing wrong with the classic dinner and drinks, themed parties based around activities help curate an atmosphere of creativity and intimacy. Gathering with the intention of doing a craft or hands-on activity gives you something unique to try together, and you’re guaranteed to take some unforgettable memories with you. It also makes your event feel more lively and festive.
Whether your Galentines are foodies or love to be active, here are some go-to ideas for throwing a party that celebrates your friendships in the most special way.
5 Galentine’s Party Activities Your Girls Will Love
1. Make Mine a Mocktail
Cutting back on alcohol consumption isn’t a passing fad. With the growing commitment to wellness, younger generations are drinking less and less often than older age groups, which has led to a surge in the popularity of mocktails. A mocktail party lets you have fun and be social while still practicing self-care. Gather some ingredients (or have each of your gals bring their favorite) along with basic mixology tools so you can all get creative with your concoctions. For the bases of your drinks, offer a variety of different juices, seltzers, and functional sodas.
You want to set the scene, too: Candles and an elegant display of your ingredients make the experience feel more upscale and inviting. The details are important, so make sure to have beautiful glasses set out, and choose your playlist with your guests and the mood of your party in mind. Make ice cubes with edible flowers or even candy hearts to carry on the Galentine’s theme. And last but not least, have garnishes ranging from herbs to slices of fruit to add that special festive touch. (Pro tip: Strawberries cut in half mimic hearts.)
Make the 2-ingredient cocktail we posted on TikTok into a mocktail by swapping out the crème de cassis for blackcurrant syrup and the sparkling wine for a non-alcoholic version.
2. Baking and Bonding
During the pandemic, baking became a cultural obsession. Those who had hardly set foot in a kitchen suddenly began cultivating their own sourdough starters—and for good reason. Baking requires a level of focus that keeps you present, making it an ideal group activity to keep everyone engaged. Plus, you get to enjoy a sweet treat with your sweetest friends.
There are a few directions you can go with a baking-centered party, depending on your vision and amount of time everyone has available. You can sign up for a formal class at a cooking school, invite a chef to visit your kitchen, or simply invite friends over to try out a new recipe.
Since it’s Galentine’s Day, we recommend your chosen treat reflects the holiday by baking heart-shaped cookies or pink macaroons. That said, you can make any recipe and garnish it with candy hearts or pink frosting to keep it on-theme.
If you decide to throw this kind of party, make sure you have some snacks to nibble on while your creation is in the oven, along with beverages to pair with your baked goods when they’re complete.
3. Self-Care Staycation
Self-care has become a bit of a buzzword, but the truth is, most of us do need to slow down and prioritize on our health (both physical and mental)—and what better way to do that than with an at-home spa day?
While you can do this any time with your friends, Galentine’s Day is an excuse to go all out. Set up mani-pedi stations with a rainbow of polish color options—but don’t stop there. Tell everyone to show up in their cutest PJs and decorate your space with heart-shaped balloons, bowls of candies, and homemade garlands. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, you can even get a hotel room and make it a true staycation slumber party.
4. Candle Crafting
Crafting is particularly on-trend for Galentine’s Day parties this year. There’s something about keeping your hands busy that makes it easier to talk freely, so you can open up while making something new.
Candle-making studios have become increasingly popular, and they’re often touted as a group activity. Under the guidance of an instructor and with provided materials, you’re encouraged to channel your inner-creative while making your own personal scent. You can also choose from different shapes and colors to make your perfect candle (or thoughtful gift for your Galentine).
If this doesn’t appeal to you or you can’t find a studio nearby, translate this concept to other crafts, like bracelet making or painting classes—whatever your besties would have fun with. For a more low-lift candle-related idea, gather a few to paint together (reference our TikTok above for inspo).
5. Happy, Healthy, Heartfelt
Get your blood pumping with a group-friendly workout! Exercise is good for your body and friendships are good for your soul, so combining the two is the perfect way to focus on your physical and mental health at the same time. Plus, nothing bonds you like helping each other through a challenging experience.
Whether you prefer slow-flow candlelight yoga or a spin class, exercising with your friends is a unique way to connect. If you’re not into a group setting, you can also take your workout outside, hike together, and embrace the natural world around you.
Either way, make the moment more Galentine’s-themed by wearing pink and red workout gear to celebrate the season. Post workout, don’t just go your separate ways—take some extra time to grab a coffee or juice and have a quality catch-up.
