Don’t have a hot date for Valentine’s Day this year? Throw a Valentine’s Day party for all your friends instead! Relationships are all about having fun and what’s more fun than a party?

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the romantic relationships in your life, it’s about all the love in your life, and there is nothing quite like the love between friends. You can have a quiet romantic night with your partner any night, why not celebrate love in all forms on Valentine’s Day (friendships, romantic, etc.).

So, what are the steps to throwing a Valentine’s Day party?

Step 1: Guest List

Depending on the night that you are trying to have the party, the guest list could go many ways. You could decide to throw the ever-famous Galantine’s Day party and invite only your best girlfriends. Or you could decide to throw a couple’s party and only invite your friends who are in relationships. However, I would advise to throw a party that is for everyone: invite your close friends, your partner (if applicable), your friend’s partners, a few fewer close friends to set your single friends up with, and whomever else you might want there.

Step 2: Party Supplies

Once your guest list is complete, you’ll need to gear up with some party supplies. I’d recommend getting supplies that are disposable and able to be thrown away – easy party clean-up. For any party that I’m hosting I believe that personalized plates, cups, napkins, etc. takes the event up a few notches. The Stationery Studio’s personalized paper plates, napkins, and shatterproof cups are perfect for just this. They also have Valentine’s Day specific designs perfect for your event. My personal favorite design they have is a little baby cupid that you can put on each of your items.

One of my favorite aspects of Valentine’s Day are the little gift bags that we used to make and receive in middle school. The perfect special touch to your party is bringing back those little gift bags for each of your guests. In addition to your other party supplies make sure to include mini twisted handled bags. Again, you can have these bags personalized to match the rest of your supplies to make your entire party cohesive. Then, each of your guests will feel appreciated whether they have a valentine or not. The next step to planning your party would be to fill each of these bags with little chocolates and other types of sweets for them to take home at the end of the night. Before your guests arrive, have all your bags lined up ready to be grabbed whenever!

Step 3: Food & Drink

Next and (some may say) most importantly, the final step to planning your party is creating your drink and food menu. The easiest and most entertaining way to serve food is of course a fondue station. If you happen to have a fondue pot, perfect! If not, you can just melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips with a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a saucepan and keep it on low throughout the night to keep the chocolate melted. To go with the fondue, you can put out some fresh cut strawberries, marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzel rods, and whatever else you think would taste great with chocolate! In addition to the fondue, you can serve already made chocolate covered strawberries. Also, a simple charcuterie board never hurts to have at a party. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could create a charcuterie board with heart shaped foods and only have foods with the colors of Valentine’s Day (red, pink, and white). Of course, the final food addition should be a heart shaped pizza (a crowd favorite)!

As far as drinks go you can be as adventurous as you’d like to be. If you’re not quite the bartender and want something easy, rosé is always a perfect option. It’s pink, alcoholic, and all together perfect. For your non-alcoholic option, pink lemonade with a splash of soda water is delicious. If you are feeling adventurous, below is one of my favorite Valentine’s themed alcoholic drinks.

Sweetheart Cocktail

This simple, sophisticated variation of a classic Cosmopolitan is sure to be a crowd pleaser. (source: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails)

Ingredients:

• 1 fl oz Vodka
• 1 fl oz Rose Petal Liquer
• 1 ¾ fl oz Cranberry Juice (sweetened)
• ½ fl oz Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)

Directions:

Shake all the ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled glass. If available, garnish with edible flowers.

And now you have all the makings of a great party! When we were younger Valentine’s Day was such a memorable and fun day for everyone. Let’s bring the elementary school energy for Valentine’s Day into adulthood!

– Abby