How to Host a Galentine's Day Party

Plenty of groups don't hold it on the 13th at all. A Galentine's on the Saturday before or after, February 6 or 20, often gets more people than the day itself.

• Offer two or three specific dates rather than asking when people are free.
• Give everyone a few days to answer, then pick the date most can make.
• Send the invite as soon as the date is set, three to four weeks out.

On Joinue, a date poll lets everyone mark which dates they can make, and nobody needs an account to start one or vote. More in how to find a date that works for everyone.

• Brunch is easier on everyone: daylight, no babysitter worries, and the afternoon free. It suits a bigger group and a lower budget.
• Dinner feels more like an occasion: candles, a longer table, a later night. It suits a small group of close friends.
• A dessert night after dinner elsewhere works for friends with Valentine's plans of their own.

Either way, two to three hours is plenty. Say when it starts and roughly when it ends.

Make it a potluck so the host isn't cooking alone, and keep the dishes easy to eat while talking.

• Something sparkling: mimosa fixings, or sparkling wine with juice on the side.
• A nonalcoholic option that feels just as festive: sparkling juice, a pink lemonade, a pot of tea.
• Quiche or a frittata, which holds well at room temperature.
• Pastries, a fruit salad and a green salad.
• One dessert worth a photo: a heart-shaped cake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, cupcakes.
• Flowers for the table, or a bunch for everyone to take home.

On Joinue, a Galentine's potluck starts with dishes like quiche, pastries and flowers as ideas the host taps onto the bring list.

Gifts are optional, and small ones work best: a candle, a book, a face mask, a plant. Set a budget everyone can manage, $15 to $25 is common, and say it on the invite.

• Draw names ahead, so each person buys for one friend.
• Or bring one wrapped gift each and swap at the party.
• Or skip gifts and write each other short notes instead.

On Joinue, an event set up as a Secret Santa draws the names for any gift swap, with nobody drawing herself and the budget on every card.

Most of the party is eating and talking. One activity gives it a center, and the talking fills the rest.

• Valentine making: paper, stickers and pens, and everyone writes one to each friend.
• Flower arranging with a few bunches from the grocery store and some jars.
• A photo corner with a backdrop and good light.
• A movie afterward for anyone who wants to stay.
• A round of compliments: each person says what they love about the friend on their left.