How to Host the Perfect Galentines Day Bash

Galentines 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 lifeand we cant think of a better reason to gather around the table (or bar)!

While Galentines celebrations can really take any form youre partial to, weve 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

Youre definitely going to need to set the scene, but dont worrythat doesnt 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

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

Theres 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 Galentines 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

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

Opalhouse Dobby Print Terry Kitchen Towel, $2.99 at Target

While you dont 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

This classic cake stand would be perfect for displaying your Galentines treats, but the pale pink color and clean lines make it usable for the rest of the year too. (If you dont want to invest quite as much, heres a similar model in melamine for $18.99).Buy Now

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

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

Honeymoon in Paris

The Honeymoon in Paris, which lives on the menu at Del Friscos 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 ashaker, combine the ingredients with ice and shake well.
• Strain and pour.

ZumaMaiTai

It may be the middle of winter, but you and your best girlfriends will think youre 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
• 1ounce blood orange juice
• 1 1/2 ounces pineapple puree
• 2 1/2 ounces Zumagrog (or try our Grog recipe)

Instructions:

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

Little Pink Pearl

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

This sleek black box contains nine cans of red, white, and ros 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 youre welcome to host a full-blown feast, having the girls over for some tasty treats is never the wrong move. Plus, fun fact: Calories dont count on Galentines Day. These will bring a smile to all of your girlfriends faces.

Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is not only one of the most delicious, decadent dessertsits absolutely perfect for Galentines Day. Our simple recipe is isbased on the one fromThe Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook by Matt and Ted Lee. Cream cheese icing? You better believe it. Get ourRed Velvet Cake recipe.

Zola Bakes Valentines Day Rainbow Cookies, 20 for $56 on Goldbelly

If youd rather go the store-bought route, these limited-edition Valentines versions of the classic Italian rainbow cookies are truly special. And theyre 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 decorationssplurge-worthy in every sense.Buy Now

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries, $44.99 at 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 Valentines Cake Donuts, 12 for $89 on Goldbelly

Doughnuts are always a hit, plus its 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 dont worry, Im sure none of your friends will mind if you go the Krispy Kreme route either. (See more Valentines treats you can have deliveredfor Galentines Day too!)Buy Now

Jenis Crowd Pleaser Collection, $58 at Jenis Splendid Ice Cream

While an ice cream sundae bar would also be amazing, Jenis Splendid Ice Cream collected some of their most crowd-pleasing flavors in one setBrown Butter Almond Brittle, Coffee with Cream & Sugar, Darkest Chocolate, Gooey Butter Cake, and Middle West Whiskey & Pecans dont need anything else but some silverware. So break out the spoons and pass these pints around.Buy Now

Heart-Shaped Pizza

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

Step 4: Entertain the Girls!

Theres 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:

Valentines Day Photo Props, $9.99 on Amazon

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

Cupcake Decorating Kit, $11.99 on Amazon

This doesnt have to be a huge part of your evening if you dont 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 youre all into DIY, then take the opportunity to get in on a group activity and make your own dessert.Buy Now

Step 5: Dont Forget the Party Favors!

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

Galentines Day Temporary Tattoos, 3 for $2 on 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 Galentines Day Gift Guide for more great ideas, or browse our Valentines Day Gift Guides for your girls.

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