Celebrate your best friends on Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day
Love is for everybody. So why limit Valentine’s Day to significant others or grand gestures when Galentine’s and Palentine’s celebrations have become a thing? Whether you celebrate with a few close girlfriends or get everyone together online, take the excuse to say “I love you” to the people who make your life so much better every day. Here are a whole bunch of ways to share the love when celebrating Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day.
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Fun fact: Galentine’s Day (created by Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope on the TV show Parks and Recreation) and Palentine’s Day (a more recent addition to the social calendar) are often celebrated February 13th. But don’t let the calendar hold you back—your friends, your party, your date.
Make it festive
Get together—online, at home or at your favorite hangout.
Pick a theme.
Not every group of pals parties the same way. But if you want something that says “I heart you so much!” right off the bat, find partyware and decor in shades of pink and red, and doesn’t skimp on the hearts.
If you want something that’s a little less pink and full of hearts (you do you!), we’ve got a bunch of ideas for adult get-togethers right here.
Color your heart out.
Coloring isn’t just for kids! If you haven’t gathered with your friends around some fun snacks and a bunch of crayons, you are missing out on one of the most soothing, entertaining friend date ideas ever. We even have Valentine’s Day coloring pages for adults, plus some tips and ideas for turning coloring itself into a party idea.
Throw together a sweet treat or two.
Keep the snacks simple by adding Valentine’s Day-appropriate mix-ins to some popcorn for a night of catching up or watching movies (rom-coms or action flicks—your call). You could also make these super cute chocolate cherry cake truffles.
Take it online.
Speaking of movies, if your Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day festivities are remote, we’ve got ideas for making a virtual watch party feel like something more special than your average night on the couch.
Share a little love
Give, deliver or mail a card and a little something sweet.
Go for a simple, sweet gift.
Trust us, we know the idea of getting a Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day gift for all your friends is a lot, especially right after Christmas. But we’ve got some inexpensive gift ideas here, too, we promise! We also have Valentine’s Day gift suggestions based on their zodiac sign, if astrology is your or their thing. ✨
Or dress up some flowers.
This is not an occasion for a dozen red roses. But a tiny bouquet? Heck yes! Or a little gift back filled with flowers. Even some tissue paper flowers could be fun. Any of these flower ideas would be great for friends, really. And if you want to make your floral gift even more meaningful, you should learn to speak the language of flowers.
Make a friendship bracelet.
Try the super-easy twisted or braided versions. Or flash back to middle school with some beaded safety pins. They’re perfect tuck-in gifts for Valentine’s Day cards to send through the mail.
Send something sweet.
If the kitchen is your happy place, whip up some of these Valentine’s Day treats, wrap them up and drop them off.
Choose chocolate.
Pick one of these decadent, dreamy desserts, make a bunch and make your friends happy.
DIY a cookie bouquet.
Try this chocolate chip cookie recipe and step-by-step instructions for crafting adorable cookie bouquets (including free, printable gift tags) from our resident cookie expert.
Put a cupcake under glass
There is no cuter way to deliver a single cupcake than in an upside-down jar tied up with a ribbon. It’s fancy enough that you can cheat and order the cupcakes from your favorite bakery.
Here’s even more Valentine’s Day fun, if you can handle it!
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