Your Guide to Galentines This February

It's almost here… Valentine’s Day is barely a week away, and most of you are probably already over it. But why wait for the bouquet of not-so-surprising (yet, still appreciated) red roses? Seriously. It’s time we celebrate the people who were there before and after the breakups. So, if you haven’t already, here’s a bunch of things to do with your best girlfriends, to celebrate a day of all things ‘love’, with some people we love most.

1. Galentines dinner party

You can’t go wrong with a dinner party. If weather permits, a picnic will suffice too. To start? Heart-shaped and heart-decorated baked goods. Potential ‘Galentines’ activities can include cake decorating (think pink frosting), but you can also opt for a bake-off. If you want to go all out, I’d suggest having a selection of treats: brownies, cookies, and chocolate strawberries (highly recommended).

Another staple for your dinner party is the savoury dish: pizzas. A good pizza party is hard to do wrong, and in the theme of ‘hearts’ why not opt for heart-shaped pizzas and bake them yourself!

2. A theme

Of course, the main theme of the night is Galentines, so friends, hearts and sweet treats; but to make the night a little more interesting, it is fun to have a theme! A cosy pyjama night in (galentines sleepover?) or a dress code. If you're stuck for ideas: pink or pastels fit in with the theme seamlessly (inspiration below).

3. Activities, activities, activities

Why stop at a dinner party? After all, we have 24 hours in a day. A good post-dinner recommendation: a rom-com- a nostalgic, early 2000s rom-com. You can also have it playing in the background during the whole pizza-making, strawberry-chocolate-dipping, cookie icing extravaganza.

Alternatively, you can follow up the feast with a Galentines sleepover, where you bundle up in front of the TV, ice cream bowl in hand, and have at it. But what to watch? To save you from your spoiled Netflix choice, or chronic indecision, some ideas: How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days; Bridget Jones’ Diary; anything inspired by Nicholas Sparks (i.e. The Longest Ride, Dear John); Letters to Juliet (summer vacation ideas); or anything starring Rachel McAdams.

Of course, if you’re not looking for a rom-com, or better yet looking for something more suited to gal-entines, The First Wives Club; Sex And The City; or Legally Blonde, do just fine.

Other activities for an evening in, can include games, a ‘secret Cupid’ as opposed to ‘secret Santa’, arts and crafts, or a paint-and-sip. Otherwise, you can always pair a dinner with a night out!

4. Your cocktails & mocktails

Don't forget the drinks! You can each create some new Galentines themed drinks to share, or simply add bubbly to the mix for a celebratory night. Alternatively, you can diligently stick to the pink and red theme with a little wine tasting to finish off the evening!

5. The spa-loving girlies

For a night of relaxation and recuperation, you may want to consider a spa night. For this, you’ll probably need a set of pyjamas, lots of products and stations! You can create a small rotation of spa treatments, for example, mani-pedis, then facials, then whatever skincare ritual you enjoy.

6. It’s all in the details

Final touches! Whether you decide to have a spa occasion, a picture-worthy soiree, a night out or bottomless brunch, here’s a couple ideas to really commit to a Galentines theme: flowers, candles, balloons, pink or red plates, cups etc. You may also decide to invest in a heart-shaped pinata to work out all the post-exam stress.

For type A party planners, you might take things a step further with pink, heart-shaped invitations. You might even decide to throw in a full-fledged day of events. After all, there are plenty of things to do in London. The most important thing? Having fun and spending quality time with your gals, whether that means a simple, quiet evening, or a jam-packed one!