Valentines day, a happy beloved holiday to some, and the most dreaded day marked on the calendar for others. Many are uplifted by the vibrant pinks and reds, the tulips and roses lining the floral section of grocery stores, or the endless supply of heart shaped boxes filled with assorted chocolates. On the other hand, simply the sight of all those symbols of love may make one throw up.
While it is unfortunate that the joy and the depression of this holiday seem to go hand in hand, switching your perspective of the day may make all the difference. Instead of looking at it as a day to dwell on the non-existence of your significant other, take the day to appreciate the other ways that love may manifest itself in your life. Channel the love from the holiday into your family, friends, and any other relationships you’re grateful for.
How to do this you may ask? Well that can be summed up into one term, Galentines! No no, that was not a mistaken typo, Galentines is the brilliant concept that combines the happiness of Valentine’s day with the love for your gals, hence the clever, and very intentionally spelled, name.
The love for your friends is nothing short of something that must be celebrated, so here is your guide to throw the perfect “Galentine’s” day party:
The focus of any quality gathering lies in what is arranged on the kitchen table. Pizza, soda, chips and dip are typically the staples, but when it comes to Galentines, a bag of Ruffles and some onion dip will not cut it. The spread should be carefully displayed, arranged, and most importantly, pink. The eyes do eat first, after all.
To start, you may add some basics that even the pickiest eater will enjoy. Mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and even a heart shaped pizza or two if you are really feeling creative. For snacks, a veggie platter, pretzels, and any variety of chips will do. Hummus is a must to pair with your dipable items. Now for the most important part, the desserts. What is Valentine’s Day without chocolate covered everything? Chocolate covered strawberries are certainly a necessity for this event. Dips including (pink) funfetti dip and hot chocolate dip are always a crowd favorite when used with a few Teddy Grahams and Nilla Wafers. Strawberries, raspberries, and even marshmallows are also viable matches with these dips. Whether you love them or hate them, the well known pink or red frosted sugar cookies will make all the difference for the dessert spread, and it is truly impossible to have a solid party without them. To add a little flair and taste, Nutella and raspberry jam-filled croissants are unexpected yet always enjoyed, and super easy to make with the convenient Pillsbury can of dough. Especially when dusted with powdered sugar and a few berries to make the dish look sophisticated. Finally, to finish off the dessert table there must be a centerpiece, and what better way to do that then a heart cake? While cake may not be the most tasty item available, there is nothing more satisfying than plating an elegant white cake decorated with miniature hearts.
Enjoying all that food without something both refreshing and pretty to wash it down would be almost lethal, so here are a few suggestions to keep your guests’ throats from drying out from those sugar cookies. First is an absolute favorite, Shirley Temples. All it takes is a bottle of Rose’s Cherry Grenadine Syrup, Sprite or Ginger Ale, and a bowl of maraschino cherries, of course. What is a Shirley Temple without a cherry to fish for under all the ice? Another glamorous drink to add to the bar is any pink mocktail. Pink lemonade, Ocean Spray cran-strawberry, or cran-raspberry, combined with sparkling water and mixed in with edible glitter, an absolute necessity, make a beautiful refreshment. Mason jars and champagne glasses are required to complete the aesthetic.
Perhaps the second most important part of a good party, especially while the abundance of food is being enjoyed, is music. There are many ways to go about this particular playlist, songs to smile and sing to, or songs to cry and scream to. Practically every artist in the books has made at least one love song or one breakup song, so while I can’t make suggestions on specific artists or albums, I can make it clear that if the party lacks music, the party lacks fun.
While this step may be a bit extra, decorations will also boost the mood entirely. Streamers, balloons, pink tablecloths, and fairy lights will do the trick. Aside from the basics, flowers everywhere will make the absolute difference. Real or fake, tulips, roses, or carnations represent all that Valentine’s day is about, and these will really separate your function from any other. Do not forget a wall decorated for a make-shift photo shoot as well.
To conclude this demanding party list, is the activities. No matter how long you spend at the table talking over some yummy dishes, you can not sit there forever. Arranging flower bouquets, decorating a cake, or painting of any sort will increase your entertainment. If you are not in the mood to do any activity that requires work, settling in for a classic romantic comedy also fits the Valentines Day spirit. 10 Things I Hate About You, 27 Dresses, Valentines Day, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Notebook, The Proposal, She’s All That, and Bride Wars are among some highly suggested crowd pleasers.
If you are feeling concerned or anxious about your plans regarding this upcoming holiday, do not be. With these suggestions, you are guaranteed to enjoy the day no matter how you celebrate.
