How To Host the Perfect Galentine’s Dinner

Show the love(s) of your life just how much you care.

There’s nothing sweeter than celebrating those nearest and dearest to us. While Valentine’s Day is all about romantic love, we think our platonic friendships are just as special and worth cherishing. To paraphrase the patron saint of Manolos and modern love, Carrie Bradshaw, our friends are our true soulmates.

Gather your ride-or-dies for a Galentine’s (or Palentine’s) dinner that celebrates the laughter, inside jokes, and endless support you share. Whether you’re swapping gifts, indulging in treats, or simply raising a glass to good times ahead, this is a chance to create new memories and honor love that comes in all shapes and forms.

Prep as much as possible

You can create the most delicious meal, design the most beautiful table setting and curate the perfect ambiance, but at the end of the day, your friends are there to spend quality time with you. Hosting duties always come with an element of obligation, but to make sure you’re enjoying the company of your guests (and vice versa), opt for dishes and details that don’t require too much work throughout the night. A pasta that you can pre-prepare and pop in the oven means you won’t be constantly ducking out to tend to the kitchen. Consider a pitcher of pre-made cocktail or a punch that you can simply pour into pretty glasses and top with a garnish.

For a sweet pièce de résistance that will wow your friends, a pavlova always goes down a treat. Bake it in the morning, and prep the sauce and cream so that all you have to do after dinner is apply the toppings. Red and pink berries will complement the lovey-dovey color palette while creating a show-stopping centerpiece.

Romanticize your soirée

Life’s too short not to use beautiful tableware, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect time to go all-out with your tablescaping. Think: Pink bows, red roses and love hearts. Thoughtful décor will add a sense of whimsy as you eat, laugh and reminisce. Top off your linen ensemble with menu cards, fresh flowers, personalized name tags, and your best serveware. Add candles and soft lighting for a dreamy scene that would make St Valentine himself blush.

Beyond the décor, wear your heart on your sleeve (or anywhere else) with a themed dress code. This could be a slumber party 'fit with feather-trimmed button down matching sets or baby doll nighties à la Sabrina Carpenter. Or, embrace all-out glam, because why not? Velvet opera gloves, a cocktail dress and red lipstick will pair perfectly with cute decorations, lush dishes and decadent desserts. It's Galentine's Day, and you can do what you want!

Get personal

Let your creativity shine with personalized touches. Handmade Galentine’s cards with sweet messages for each guest, handwritten notes, and love poems will melt everyone’s hearts. Leave a polaroid or disposable camera on the table for candid snaps that you can share afterwards or add to a group scrapbook. Show your friends how well you know them by including all their favorite songs in a playlist – remember to share it with them afterwards so they can keep listening and feel nostalgic for this special night.

If you really want to go all out, some V-Day-themed gifts will be a generous and caring touch. If you don’t want to splurge, handmade presents like baked treats and crafty surprises are always appreciated.