Aesthetic & Budget-Friendly Galentine’s Party Ideas

Galentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate friendship, shower your girls with love, and create fun memories—without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re keeping it cozy at home or planning a stylish soiree, these 30 ideas will ensure you have a fabulous (and affordable) celebration.

We’ve divided them into six categories to help you plan your perfect girls’ night in.

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1. Décor & Atmosphere (5 Ideas)

1. Fairy-Light Haven
   • What You Need: String lights, sheer curtains, and battery-operated tea lights.
   • Budget Tips: Reuse string lights from the holidays and shop discount stores for tea lights.
   • How-To: Hang fairy lights around the room, drape some sheer curtains for a soft glow, and scatter tea lights in safe holders on tables for an instantly magical vibe.
2. DIY Flower Garlands
   • What You Need: Faux flowers, ribbon, or yarn.
   • Budget Tips: Purchase faux flowers in bulk from craft or dollar stores.
   • How-To: Thread faux flower heads along a ribbon or yarn, then hang the garland across walls, mirrors, or doorways for a fresh, feminine touch.
3. Balloon Backdrop
   • What You Need: Balloons in shades of pink, white, or red, balloon tape or string, optional confetti.
   • Budget Tips: Buy multi-packs of balloons online or at discount shops.
   • How-To: Inflate balloons (add confetti for extra flair), secure them on balloon tape or string, and drape them behind a dessert or photo area to create an Insta-worthy background.
4. DIY Photo Booth Corner
   • What You Need: An empty wall space, a pretty backdrop (streamers or a tapestry), a ring light or lamp, and some playful props.
   • Budget Tips: Make your own props using cardboard, glitter, and paint (e.g., lips, hearts, funny signs).
   • How-To: Set up your backdrop in a corner, lay out props on a small table, and let your guests snap away.
5. Cozy Pillow & Throw Fort
   • What You Need: Assorted pillows and blankets in complementary colors.
   • Budget Tips: Gather pillows and throws from around the house—mixing patterns is part of the charm.
   • How-To: Pile pillows and blankets into a lounge area, add some rugs if available, and create a comfy nook for chatting or playing games.

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2. DIY Crafts & Keepsakes (5 Ideas)

6. Friendship Bracelet Station
   • What You Need: Embroidery floss, beads, charms, and scissors.
   • Budget Tips: Embroidery floss is affordable and widely available; choose colors that match your party’s theme.
   • How-To: Set up a craft station where each guest can create a unique bracelet. Provide simple instructions (like a basic braid or easy knotting technique).
7. Handwritten Love Notes
   • What You Need: Colored paper or cardstock, markers, stickers.
   • Budget Tips: Save leftover scrapbook paper or buy cheap craft supplies during sales.
   • How-To: Encourage everyone to write uplifting messages or inside jokes for each other and decorate them with stickers. These sweet notes can be kept as keepsakes.
8. Polaroid Scrapbook
   • What You Need: Polaroid camera (or phone printer), scrapbook, washi tape, pens.
   • Budget Tips: Use a small notebook or binder for a more cost-effective approach, or DIY your own scrapbook with loose paper and a ring binder.
   • How-To: Snap instant photos throughout the night, tape them into the scrapbook, and let everyone sign or doodle next to their pictures.
9. Galentine’s Canvas Art
   • What You Need: Small canvases or thick paper, acrylic paints, brushes.
   • Budget Tips: Pick up inexpensive paint sets from discount or dollar stores, and use old sheets or newspapers to protect surfaces.
   • How-To: Choose simple designs (like hearts, inspirational quotes, or abstract shapes). Encourage each guest to create something personal they can display at home.
10. Design Your Own Mugs

• What You Need: Plain ceramic mugs, oil-based paint markers.
• Budget Tips: Get a set of inexpensive plain mugs. Buy a few colorful paint markers to share.
• How-To: Let each friend personalize a mug with quotes, doodles, or hearts. Bake them in the oven (following the paint markers’ instructions) to set the design.

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3. Tasty Treats & Drinks (5 Ideas)

11. DIY Charcuterie Board

• What You Need: Crackers, cheese, cured meats, fruits, chocolate, dips.
• Budget Tips: Shop at discount grocery stores, buy store-brand items, and use seasonal fruit for cheaper options.
• How-To: Arrange everything on a wooden board or large tray, adding color by alternating meats and cheeses with berries or chocolate squares.

12. Chocolate Fondue Fountain

• What You Need: A fondue set or slow cooker, chocolate chips, fruits, marshmallows.
• Budget Tips: Use chocolate chips (often cheaper than fancy chocolate bars) and buy fruit in season.
• How-To: Melt chocolate, keep it warm in the fondue set or slow cooker, and line up bite-sized treats for dipping—strawberries, bananas, pretzels, and more.

13. Sweet & Savory Crostini Bar

• What You Need: Baguettes, assorted spreads (e.g., cream cheese, chocolate hazelnut, fruit jams), toppings (fresh fruit, nuts, deli meat).
• Budget Tips: Slice one or two baguettes thinly to make them go further, and use leftover jam or spreads.
• How-To: Toast your baguette slices and let guests create their own crostini combinations—sweet, savory, or a bit of both.

14. Sparkling Mocktails

• What You Need: Sparkling water or lemonade, fruit juice, fresh fruit slices or herbs for garnish.
• Budget Tips: Opt for store-brand sparkling lemonade and frozen fruit for garnish.
• How-To: Mix one part fruit juice with two parts sparkling beverage. Add a garnish of mint, berries, or lemon slices to level up the presentation.

15. Cupcake Decorating Contest

• What You Need: Cupcakes (store-bought or homemade), frosting, sprinkles, edible decorations.
• Budget Tips: Baking at home can be cheaper; or buy plain cupcakes in bulk from a supermarket.
• How-To: Lay out bowls of frosting (tinted pink or red), sprinkles, and other fun toppings. Challenge your friends to decorate the prettiest cupcake.

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4. Fun Games & Activities (5 Ideas)

16. Galentine’s Trivia

• What You Need: Pre-prepared trivia questions on friendship, love, famous female icons, or pop culture.
• Budget Tips: Make your own questions or use free online trivia generators.
• How-To: Split into teams or play individually. Keep track of points on a whiteboard or piece of paper. Hand out silly prizes for the winners.

17. Name That Love Song

• What You Need: A curated playlist of iconic love or friendship songs, speaker system.
• Budget Tips: Use free music streaming services or your personal collection.
• How-To: Play the first few seconds of each track and see who can guess the song title the fastest.

18. Chick Flick Charades

• What You Need: Slips of paper with the names of popular rom-coms or female-led movies, a timer.
• Budget Tips: Use old paper scraps and a pen for the prompts; keep it simple.
• How-To: Each player acts out the movie title without speaking. Teammates must guess it within the time limit.

19. Two Truths and a Lie (Galentine’s Edition)

• What You Need: A list of Valentine’s/Galentine’s-themed prompts or personal confessions.
• Budget Tips: No special materials needed—just your group’s creativity!
• How-To: Each guest shares two true statements and one lie about their love life, dating history, or personal quirks. The rest guess which one is the lie.

20. Blindfolded Makeup Challenge

• What You Need: Basic makeup items (lipstick, blush, eyeshadow), blindfolds.
• Budget Tips: Use whatever makeup you already have in your collection.
• How-To: Pair up. One person applies makeup to the other while blindfolded. The results are always hilarious—and photo-worthy.

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5. Self-Care & Pampering (5 Ideas)

21. At-Home Spa Station

• What You Need: Face masks, cucumber slices, warm towels, soothing music.
• Budget Tips: Buy sheet masks or single-use packets in bulk; use a free music streaming app for background tunes.
• How-To: Set up a cozy corner with chairs, pillows, and warm towels. Let guests apply face masks, relax, and chat.

22. DIY Bath Salt Bar

• What You Need: Epsom salts, essential oils, dried flowers (e.g., lavender or rose petals), small jars or ziplock bags.
• Budget Tips: Purchase Epsom salts in large bags and divide them among guests.
• How-To: Offer a selection of essential oils and dried flowers. Let everyone mix their own custom bath soak to take home.

23. Mani-Pedi Party

• What You Need: Nail polish in various colors, nail files, cuticle oil, a bowl for a foot soak (optional).
• Budget Tips: Everyone can bring their favorite nail polish to share.
• How-To: Set up a station with everything you need for a manicure or pedicure. Take turns painting each other’s nails while you enjoy girl talk.

24. Hair Braiding Circle

• What You Need: Hair ties, combs, clips, optional hair accessories.
• Budget Tips: Use your own hair supplies and ask friends to bring any fun accessories.
• How-To: Gather around, and practice new braiding techniques on each other—fishtail, French braid, or a simple side braid.

25. Guided Yoga or Meditation

• What You Need: Yoga mats or towels, a free online guided meditation or yoga video.
• Budget Tips: Use a streaming service or YouTube for free yoga/meditation classes.
• How-To: Clear a space, spread out mats, and follow the tutorial. This relaxing session helps everyone unwind before more fun ensues.

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6. Themed Celebrations (5 Ideas)

26. Rom-Com Marathon

• What You Need: A selection of beloved romantic comedies or feel-good friend flicks, comfy seating, popcorn.
• Budget Tips: Use a streaming service you already have; borrow DVDs from friends or the library if you prefer the classics.
• How-To: Create a vote for which movies to watch, dim the lights, and snuggle up with blankets and popcorn.

27. Pink & Red Dress Code

• What You Need: Encourage all guests to come dressed in pink, red, or heart-printed outfits.
• Budget Tips: No real cost here—everyone can just choose something they already own that fits the theme.
• How-To: Make it a mini fashion show or take group photos to commemorate your stylish Galentine’s gather.

28. Decade-Themed Night

• What You Need: Choose a decade (e.g., 90s or 80s), coordinate décor and a playlist accordingly.
• Budget Tips: Decorations can be items you already own (cassette tapes, old posters) or simple DIY disco balls for a 70s vibe.
• How-To: Encourage guests to dress in era-appropriate outfits, play matching music, and set up a photo corner with throwback props.

29. Book Club Bash

• What You Need: A cozy seating area, a short story or short novel about friendship or romance.
• Budget Tips: Choose a free e-book or short story from online public domain libraries.
• How-To: Assign the reading in advance or do a short read-aloud session. Then discuss your thoughts while sipping mocktails or tea.

30. Paint & Sip (Non-Alcoholic or BYOB)

• What You Need: Canvases or thick paper, paint, brushes, a simple guided painting tutorial, and drinks of choice.
• Budget Tips: Purchase affordable paint sets and canvases in bulk, or use sturdy paper.
• How-To: Follow a YouTube painting tutorial step by step. Sip on sparking mocktails or bring-your-own-beverage for a relaxed, creative evening.

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Final Thoughts

Hosting a Galentine’s party doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. With these budget-friendly ideas—spanning DIY décor, fun activities, creative crafts, and themed celebrations—you’ll have everything you need to plan the ultimate girls’ night in.

Customize a few of these ideas to fit your style and budget, and get ready to share laughs, indulge in treats, and savor the special bond of friendship.

Happy Galentine’s Day!