Last year, we hosted a little Galentine’s Day party for the girls and their friends, and honestly? It was pure magic. There is something so special about leaning into the whimsy of this holiday—the reds, the pinks, and the unapologetic girliness of it all. The kitchen was completely transformed, the girls were buzzing, and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed the “prep” just as much as they enjoyed the party.
Shop Galentine’s Party Decor & Supplies
If you’re looking for a way to make the day feel intentional without the overwhelm, this is it. We’re doing it all again this year, and I wanted to share the simple details that made the night so memorable.
The Decor: Balloons, Bows, and Blooms
I’ve always said that you don’t need a professional team to make a room feel festive; you just need a cohesive color palette and a little bit of double-sided tape.
- The Floating Ceiling: We used a standard balloon blower to inflate around 50 cherry-red balloons. To give them that polished touch, I tied a long strip of red, white, or dark pink satin ribbon into a bow on each one. Then, I used a small glue dot on the top of each balloon to stick them directly to the ceiling. It created this immersive, bubbly canopy that made the kitchen feel like a dream. (Inspired by @joyfullygreen!)
- Candlelight & Ribbons: I pulled out our polished silver and glass candlesticks and added tapers in a mixture of burgundy, pink, and red. To soften the look, I tied more red ribbon around the base of some of the holders. It’s a tiny detail, but it feels so elevated and feminine.
- The Florals: I kept our faux pink peony stems out but tucked in some fresh red tulips from the grocery store. Mixing faux and fresh is my favorite trick for adding depth and that “rich” color story we love.
The Activities: “Customize Your Pouch”
To keep the girls entertained, we set up a “Design Your Own Pouch” station. We laid out a table full of small canvas accessory bags and a bunch of self-adhesive patches that become permanent when ironed. They had the best time customizing their bags! I got a few irons to set them in place but told each parent that was something they could do at home since we ran out of time. We also had little paper hearts so they could write notes to each other and stuff them in their bags.
A Sweet (and Simple) Menu
When it comes to hosting kids, I’m a firm believer that you don’t have to do it all. Keep the food simple so you can actually enjoy the moment.
- Themed Cookies: You could get these special-ordered through your local cookie decorator or just pick up a box at the grocery store like I did, and put them on a tiered tray to make them look more special!
- Deconstructed Chocolate Strawberries: Instead of the tedious process of dipping individual berries, I washed, capped, and halved them, laid them on a platter, and did a heavy drizzle of melted chocolate over the whole thing. It’s easier to prep, easier for kids to eat, and looks like art. Serve them with long toothpicks for a mess-free snack.
- Edible Decor: I filled glass jars with classic conversation hearts and placed them on the shelves. They look so timeless and double as a quick treat.
- Heart-Shaped Pizzas: For dinner, I used a ceramic heart bowl as a “cookie cutter” to punch out shapes from extra-thin pre-cooked pizza crusts (a quick Whole Foods find!). They’re the perfect size for little hands.
Two of my daughters each had a group of friends, so we rotated between making drinks, pizza, customizing bags, and writing Valentines cards and it made the night so much smoother!
The Signature Sip: Cupid’s Crush
You can’t have a party without a signature mocktail! We whipped up a drink we’re calling Cupid’s Crush. We served them in our favorite glassware with a generous dollop of whipped cream and those classic red-and-white paper straws. It’s festive, delicious, and felt so “grown-up” to the girls.
Cupid’s Crush Drink
Ingredients:
- pebble ice to fill half of a glass
- 2 pumps Torani coconut syrup
- 1 Tbsp grenadine syrup
- Fresca or club soda to fill almost to the top
- whipped cream (coconut is what we used)
Directions:
- Fill a glass halfway full of ice.
- Add the syrups and pour the soda overtop. Lightly stir to mix.
- Top with whipped cream (don't be stingy!) and a straw.
how fun for your girls!
but, i’m soo confused, a small drop of glue on ceiling?? doesn’t that leave mark on ceiling?
For us, the glue dots came off as a clean peel and the ceiling survived unscathed. You could test it in a less prominent spot.
Love the balloons. They look amazing! How do the dots not damage the ceiling?
They didn’t for us, but I’ve seen some people put up a small bit of painter’s tape and then the glue dot to be extra-careful.
Everything looked wonderful!
Good