District Magazine February 2015 | Page 32

Galentine’s Day How To Throw A Valentine’s Day Party for Your BFFs Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers anymore; but also for those special friends in your life who always have your back. So how do you throw your BFFs the ultimate Valentine’s Day party? Well hopefully you know their favorite foods, drinks, sweets, and even activities already putting you ahead of the game! Now it’s just about putting everything together: So let’s get started on the planning! First things first, pick a venue and a date. House parties are the best because you can do a wide range of activities, and bonus, everyone can stay as long as they’d like. If you don’t have a place of your own opt for your favorite brunch spot. Brunch is the perfect time to get “loose with your boos.” Like any other party, you want to announce your BFF Valentine’s Day party in a cute, sincere way. Instead of sending a normal boring text message, spruce it up with an online invitation. Pingg has the most adorable invitations that you can mail out or email. Your friends will get a kick out of it and seeing your added effort just to invite them will get them excited for the fun filled day. Now, onto the menu. So we picked Brunch as our party example right? If you’re doing a restaurant then you’re all set, but why not go the extra mile and make your BFFs some delicious desserts that can double as sweet 32 little favors? [Chocolate covered strawberries, Chocolate covered lol- lipops] These chocolate hearts are sold by Sherri’s Berries. There are even chocolate roses that can be used as both dessert and decor. Is your home the venue? Great! Now you need some fabulous but timeless recipes that won’t take you all night/morning to put together: a pancake bar accompanied by various fruit toppings they can choose from, omelets, mac & cheese bites, potatoes wrapped in bacon, and of course desserts like cupcakes, cheesecake cups, or a good old fashion chocolate cake. Get this pancake idea from Tips from a Typical Mom. Decorations are essential to any party because they set the mood. Whether you are 15 or 35 years old, you want your decorations to be easy but on point. For the tables, try glass vases with red and pink flowers and some Valentine’s Day confetti surrounding them. Get some balloons and have them drop from your ceiling (cut the strings high enough that no one will be hitting their head, but low enough to give your room a festive feel). And if you chose a restaurant, don’t worry, you can still spice up the tables with some single stem roses in those cute $1 IKEA vases. One for every BFF. If you’re crafty (like me!), feel free to go a little further and add each BFF’s name to the vases with chalkboard stickers or a cardstock tag. Last step. HAVE FUN - but HELLO - they’re YOUR BFFS so that should be a given!