What is Galentine’s Day? I think Leslie Knope says it best:

“Oh it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”

While not everything can be an episode of Parks and Rec, we plan our own variation of Galentine’s and the spirit is still there! Last year, we went all out decorating a huge booth at a restaurant, planning a gift exchange, bringing our favorite wedding photos, and giving out fun party favors. This year, we are doing pjs and a waffle bar at my house! Changing up the event makes it super fun and exciting. It has become our favorite annual tradition and we want to help you plan one for your gal pals in 3 easy steps.

Want to hear more about our Galentine’s Day? Check out Episode 27 of our Podcast

Step 1: Plan

In fact, overplan! Galentine’s Day is the kind of event where overplanning is perfectly acceptable. Leslie Knope may be the queen of overplanning and I’m sure she’d approve this advice.

• Set a date, time and place

  Whether you choose brunch or dinner, make sure you pick a date and time for maximum turn out. Make a fun Facebook event cover or use ours!

• Theme

  If your group likes a theme, get planning! I mean, who doesn’t love an 80s theme event?! Or let’s be honest, most of us were 90s children, so do a whole boy band 90s theme.

• Decor

  Theme or not, make sure you have some decor to add to the whole feeling of the event! We loved having our Galentine’s Day banner - it was so fun having our friends walk up and see something beautiful waiting for them.

• Menu

  Choose something different and exciting. If you aren’t going out, make the menu fit your theme, or choose something fun but easy so no one has to work too hard trying to get out of the house.

Step 2: Treat Yourself

Get creative in thinking of clever ways to treat yourself and your gals! Last year we did a gift exchange with a $15 limit and Mandi and I put together party favor bags with some fun treats, including this awesome gratitude journal she made. This year, we are all bringing our favorite “treat yourself” item - $5 per item - for each gal attending. These favorites will essentially create a super unique goodie bag.

Step 3: Set the Gal Pal Vibe

Think about the vibe you want at the event, then find a way to communicate it to your gals and get them excited for something a little different. It’s easy to get together and complain about our husbands, children, the house, etc., but that can really create a low vibe. Instead, encourage positive talk! Last year, we asked our gals to bring their favorite wedding photo to share. We also created conversation hearts with fun questions decorating the table. We had a blast going through a few of them as we ate. It really helped to keep the vibe we wanted going through out the night. Maybe coming out of 2020 isn’t the year to discuss relationships, consider doing more “get to know you” activities! Foster more ways to strengthen your friendships. This is also where Step 1 is very helpful: an overplanned night will help keep conversation focused and fun.

We hope you find the best way to celebrate your friendships this Galentine’s Day!

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