How It Differs from Valentine’s Day

While Galentine’s Day shares many similar themes and colors, your event will feel more intentional and thoughtful if you make it distinct from Valentine’s Day. “Galentine’s has officially outgrown Valentine’s Day–invites are up 191% since 2022 and now outpace Valentine’s Day by five times, which means it deserves its own vibe,” says Olivia Pollock, etiquette and hosting expert for Evite.

Plenty of your guests might be celebrating both holidays, so it’s worth putting in the effort to make Galentine’s unique and not an extension of Valentine’s Day. Rather than leaning into the hearts, roses, and deep reds and pinks associated with Valentine’s Day, start by decorating with complementary colors.

“Keep things playful and a little unexpected,” Pollock recommends. “Think blush mixed with neutrals, cherries, butter yellow, or small pops of red without leaning all the way into ‘love.’”

Relaxed Atmosphere

Keeping the mood relaxed and casual will also make Galentine’s Day feel unique. Instead of an over-the-top party vibe, plan your food board night like any other hangout with friends, and slightly elevate it with touches like a floral centerpiece or thrifted glassware in Galentine’s colors.

“Galentine’s is about friendship, not grand gestures, so aim for warm, fun, and easy. Guests should feel relaxed and ready to hang, not like they walked into someone else’s Valentine’s plans,” Pollock says.

Delegating Types of Boards

With food boards as the main event, Galentine’s Day is the perfect time to let everyone’s creativity shine. If you want to guarantee a wide variety, you could ask each friend to stick to a general theme, like sweet, savory, or sour, or add a theme beyond Galentine’s Day, like foods that start with the first letter of their name, or a board created around each friend’s favorite food.

“Food boards are basically the MVP of Galentine’s—they’re communal, low-effort, and feel instantly social without trying too hard,” Pollock says. “Candy boards are always a win, especially when they’re curated. Stick to one color family (pinks, reds, or even soft pastels), so it feels intentional and very social shareable–think gummies, chocolate-covered treats, and a few nostalgic favorites for balance.”

Top-Tier Hosting

As the host, you also have a little more freedom when creating your board than guests, who will have to travel with their concoction. That could be the perfect opportunity to lean into a brunch board with heart-shaped pancakes, mini waffles, strawberries, and bacon, or to serve something hot that won’t necessarily travel well, like a French fry board with different fries and dipping sauces.

Putting a Galentine’s Day spin on a classic charcuterie board could also be a fun, photo-worthy treat, especially if you have a long counter to line with butcher paper and spread meats, cheeses, and nuts on.

“If you’re doing a classic charcuterie board, it’s all about subtle swaps. Add berries, pink cheeses, dark chocolate, or honeycomb to give it a Galentine’s spin without making it feel theme-y,” Pollock recommends. “The goal is unfussy but intentional, something guests can gather around, snack on, and keep coming back to all night.”

Extra Touches to Make the Holiday Special

While Galentine’s Day should feel fun and relaxed, to set it apart from other girls' nights, you might consider adding one or two additional touches to the food board theme.

“A cozy and cute dress code is one of the easiest upgrades: reds and pinks, cozy chic, or simply something that feels like you,” Pollock says. You could also lean into the comfy, relaxed theme by making your Galentine’s a pajama party, or turn it into an opportunity to show off a favorite but rarely-worn outfit by asking guests to dress in something they don’t have many occasions to wear.

Themed Drinks

As the host, if no one plans to bring a drink-themed board, you can make the night feel special with a themed drink. Try creating a DIY mimosa or mocktail bar with different mixers and sparkling wine, or even make a classic cocktail on-theme with a fun mix-in like edible glitter.

“A signature drink or mocktail, like a Cupid Cosmo, instantly sets the tone and gives everyone something to gather around,” Pollock says.

Capture Memories

Commemorating Galentine’s with Polaroid photos could also make it fun and different from your usual hangouts. If you want to lean into Valentine’s Day while making it unique, consider a small flower arrangement or single stems of a favorite bloom for guests to take home.

However you choose to celebrate Galentine’s this year, keep the holiday's core theme in mind and ensure it’s fun and relaxed. “The best Galentine’s celebrations feel effortless, warm, and fun, which is exactly why the holiday keeps growing,” Pollock says.