Throw the Ultimate Galentine’s Day

Fear February 14 no more!

Valentine's Day may be fast approaching, but there is no need to stress.

No date? No problem!

In the season of love, what better way to celebrate than with your favourite group of girls, single or otherwise, and enjoy a much needed ladies night!

Make a date.

This year, Valentine's falls on a Wednesday. You now have three weeks to plan, prep and invite your crew to the most fun night of the year.

Find a day and time that would suit the most people. But don't put too much pressure on it. If people are free - great! If not - no worries! They'll know to keep it clear for next time.

The aim of Galentine's is to be relaxed, fun and full of love. Let's not fall into the trap of booking way ahead and spending a fortune like our Valentine counterparts.

Venue and Budget

Keep it low key. Ditch the expensive restaurants and events rooms for your living room. Comfy and casual is definitely the way to go.

Keep the costs low too, drinks and nibbles, BYOB, bake, oh, get everyone to bring a dessert. Whatever your style - save the champagne and caviar for New Year, make Galentine's about the girls and spending time with them, not the fancy extras.

Invite your gals.

Give them as much notice as possible, with venue and time details. Don't forget to let your lovely ladies know what to bring.

Facebook event, group chat, Whatsapp group, E-vite. Keep it tech savvy and zero cost. No need for lace embellished postcards with calligraphy delivered by pigeon post. Online is always easier and this way you will be able to get an idea of numbers better.

If you can, keep the invite fairly open. If your gals know other ladies who may want to join, and you have the space, why not extend the invitation. After all, the more the merrier.

Keep it relaxed.

If the idea of a dream night with your gals means drinks, snacks and most importantly good chat, then go for it!

Put together the perfect Spotify playlist, chuck cushions round the room so everyone has a seat and let the banter flow.

Make the most of the opportunity and have a much needed catch up with your sisters, make new friends and bond. Friendships are all about investment, let your gals know you love them by being a listening ear for the evening.

Or plan the party.

But, if games, prizes and excitement are more your thing, then don your party planning hat and schedule a night of fun activities.

Know your group, keep everyone's personal lives out of it (ditch never have I ever) and get ready for a good giggle.

Here's some fun Galentine's game suggestions:

• Cocktail Making: Dust off your shakers and ice crusher and get your ladies to compete making their own signature Galetine's cockatil (or mocktail). Get your guests to pick their ingredients, mix 'em together and serve with an inventive name. Judge the tastiest and have a sweet prize for the winner.
• Galentine's Pegs: Get your gals to attach five clothes pegs to them when they arrive. Pick a few buzz words that are banned for the evening (love, relationship, boyfriend, Valentine etc.) any time someone says one of these words means another gal can 'steal' a peg from them. The gal with the most pegs by the end of the night wins.

Guys - Share the love.

But boys don't feel left out.

A good friend of mine had the coolest Galentine's a few years back. In their friend group, the guys decided to host a Galentine's meal for all the ladies and hosted a dinner party where they did everything from sending out cute invites to serving the ladies dinner.

It was a really sweet way for them to show the ladies in their lives that they matter to them.

That's what it is all about. Gals and guys, let your fabulous friends know how much they mean to you. Whether it is a quiet night in with a few of your closest besties or a full blown dinner party extravaganza, make this year's Galentine's a night to remember by spreading the love.