Love is in the air… or it will be soon. Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, and whether you’re single, dating, married, or divorced, there’s one February holiday we can all celebrate, Galentine’s Day!
Getting your group of girls together is usually grounds for an amazing day, but party planning can get stressful and isn’t always fun. If you have ever felt that way, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. You just have to know where to start, and it’s right here!
We’re going to keep this blog simple and straight to the point so that you can get to your planning. From saving time to saving money, here are seven secrets for planning the perfect Galentine’s Day in 2023!
Before we dive into all of these tips, be sure to save this real quick on your Pinterest Board!
1. Create a Budget
Planning a party shouldn’t break the bank. With it being so soon after the holidays, you might need to hold on a little tighter to those purse strings. Before you begin planning your party, create a budget.
Ranging from food and drinks to activities and favors, set a budget and stick to it! In life, we have to expect the unexpected, so if you find you need to spend a few extra dollars, don’t beat yourself up over it.
When creating your budget for the festivities, ask yourself what items are most important for you to prioritize spending on. If it’s more of an intimate gathering, opt for hosting at home and keeping things simple with snacks and drinks.
On the other hand, if you’d like to throw a grander affair then venue rentals and full catering services would be great options. Remember that the price of each item will vary depending on how much or little you choose to do so make sure all costs are calculated correctly in order to stay within your budget limit.
2. Make a List of “10-minute tasks”
We live our lives on the go. It’s not every day that we can stop what we’re doing and dedicate a few hours to planning the perfect party. Instead, make a list of 10-minute tasks for your event. A few hours to spare are hard to find, but you might find yourself with an extra ten minutes a few times a day or week.
When coming up with your 10-minute tasks, think of things like making phone calls, researching venues or caterers, searching for decorations or crafting materials online, and setting up an email address (if needed).
These may seem like small tasks but they can add up to larger accomplishments if done in short bursts over time. Additionally, it’s important to prioritize which tasks need to be done first so that nothing slips through the cracks as time passes and other tasks become more demanding.
Using these breaks for short, easy tasks can help you knock items off your to-do list as you keep up with your day-to-day life.
3. Keep Your Guest List Simple and Smart
You might be tempted to invite every single girlfriend you know to your Galentine’s Day party, but slow down! More people mean more EVERYTHING. Specifically, it translates to spending more money, more time, and needing more space.
While you should invite your closest friends and family, think smart about whom you’re inviting. A room full of introverts might lead to pulling teeth for conversation. Balance out your more reserved friends with outspoken ones and watch your party thrive.
Ultimately, keeping your guest list simple and smart means taking into account various factors such as budget constraints, space limitations, scheduling considerations, and dynamics between individuals so that everyone can have a pleasant experience during the celebration.
4. Make a “Love Connection”
Valentine’s Day isn’t the only holiday about love! While it’s normally reserved for relationship love, Galentine’s Day is perfect for showing love to all the special women in your life. Your guest list might consist of absolute strangers and nothing is better than an ice breaker to get them acquainted.
Analyze your guest list and find which friends might pair well together. Preplan name tags and assign them to well-known gal pals. There are Oprah and Gayle, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, Rachel and Monica from Friends, and more!
Set up a game for them to get to know each other, but make sure they
have time to mingle with the entire group as well.
In addition to assigning name tags, you can also give your guests the opportunity for meaningful conversation with conversation starter napkins. These are perfect little cocktail napkins that can get guests talking together either about something funny or even meaningful!
5. Simplify Your Menu
Your party can be both simple AND fabulous. Make a list of food and drink options, and then cut it in half. Instead of a three-course meal, keep the food light, but plenty. Quiches and deviled eggs are just two options out of dozens. For even more ideas, check out these 100 easy party foods from Taste of Home.
Instead of stocking up on alcohol, pick one drink for your party. Everyone loves mimosas, and while they’re normally associated with brunch, the refreshing drink is perfect for morning or night. Orange juice might be the norm, but switch things up by adding raspberry lemonade or pomegranate juice.
For the perfect display that’s complete with everything and simple to set up, you can get a mimosa décor kit from Amazon.
Don’t forget to add this to your Pinterest Board!
6. Set Up A Few Days Early
The setup before a party can be stressful. You might feel like you’re a chicken running around with its head cut off, but let’s make it easier, shall we?
A few days before your party, start setting up!
Feel free to put out your décor and start moving around any necessary furniture or fixtures. If you want to set your table with plates and cutlery, feel free! Just be sure to cover it with a sheet to keep it intact.
If you want the party setup process to go even smoother, consider inviting one or two friends over ahead of time so they can help you out with decorations and other tasks like moving furniture around. Having an extra set of hands will make getting everything ready much easier!
7. Start Early
The best tip we can give you is to start early. There is no such thing as too early! At least 3-4 weeks before, you should start nailing down your budget, guest list, and menu. Over the following weeks, you can start chipping away at your list (Especially with that 10-minute trick we talked about earlier) and put yourself in a great position for the best Galentine’s Day ever!
Secrets to Planning Your Galentine’s Day 2023
When it comes to planning the perfect Galentine’s Day, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, by following the tips we have outlined in this article, from making a smart guest list and setting up early to simplifying your menu and creating meaningful connections between guests, you can ensure that your Galentine’s Day celebration will be perfect! Hopefully, this blog sparked some good Galentine’s Day ideas and tips for you!
With careful preparation and attention to detail, make sure that everyone feels special on your big day. After all, what better way is there to show love than with an unforgettable gathering of friends?
And there you have it! Party planning was made easier.
Don’t forget to sign up for our email list where you can get life-changing party tips exactly when you need them. You can also follow us on Instagram @cotierbrand.