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Despite what society wants us to believe, Valentine's Day doesn't have to consist of a romantic dinner or date night. The February holiday is about celebrating all kinds of love, including platonic, familial, and self love, too! So, if you're single and used to swiping past the Valentine's Day dessert recipes and Valentine's Day decoration ads on your feed, why not reframe your mindset and embrace all things love instead? Whether or not you have a significant other, everyone can enjoy V-Day by hosting or attending a fun Valentine's Day party with friends or family! These best Valentine's Day party ideas will make it a day to remember.
Our cute ideas for Valentine's Day activities range from simple, like making chocolate strawberries, to crafty, like building a gigantic box of chocolates. (Yes, really!) You'll find ideas on decorations and of course, food to serve. Feel free to spend the day marathoning the most romantic movies of all time or go all out by creating photo props to put those silly, sweet Valentine's Day Instagram captions to good use. These would also make great Galentine's Day party ideas. No matter how you choose to spend Valentine's Day, make sure you take a little time to focus on love—for yourself and others. That might be by reading romantic Valentine's Day quotes to your sweetie or treating yourself to a luxurious soak in the tub.
Keep reading to discover plenty of ways to shower yourself and others with love this February. And hey, who knows—these Valentine's Day party ideas might lead you to a few Valentine's Day recipes that you'll want to permanently add to your repertoire!
1
Host a Paint-and-Sip Party
Paint-and-sip parties are great for artists and non-artists alike, as most paint-and-sip places guide you through a painting step by step. And if you're really not into the painting part, there's always the unlimited wine to keep you occupied! You can also DIY the paint-and-sip experience at home with some canvases, paint, and bottles of rosé.
2
Make a Valentine’s Day Box
Get creative and make a cute Valentine’s Day box to hold all those cards and candy. It’s a great activity to do with kids ahead of their school Valentine’s Day celebrations or with friends to wind down with some crafting!
Mood lighting is a must for any party. But for a Valentine's Day party, might we suggest upping your game with some heart-shaped string lights? Plus, they double as decor!
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4
Make a Valentine's Day Wreath
There's nothing like a good craft to get the party going, especially when the end result is something you'll want to use for months (and years) to come! DIY a heart-shaped or floral Valentine's Day wreath using basic craft supplies and upcycled items and hang it on your front door for a fun pop of color during the dark winter months.
5
Mix Up Some Pink Drinks
There's no such thing as "extra" on Valentine's Day. In fact, the more pink, heart-shaped things, the better! Treat your guests to a round of fun, pink drinks, like strawberry margaritas, raspberry sorbet spritz, cranberry martinis, and more!
6
Organize a Gift Swap
White elephant gift exchanges aren't just for Christmas! Set a budget and have everyone bring a Valentine's Day gift to the party. You can also make it more like a 'Secret Cupid' gift swap and assign each guest a specific person to give a gift to.
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7
Host a Romance Novel Book Club
You may not be experiencing romance in real life, but that doesn't mean you can't get your fix from a fun, addictive romance novel! Assign your Galentines to read one of the best romance novels a week or two ahead of Valentine's Day. When the big day rolls around, invite them over to enjoy some festive cocktails and Valentine's treats while you discuss the book!
If you thought 'pong' and 'cute' couldn't be in the same sentence, we're here to prove you wrong. This twist on the classic party game uses prosecco and pretty pink Galentine's Day cups so you can maintain your party's cutesy aesthetic while still having fun. Plus, guests can take home their reusable cups so they can have a fun pop of pink any day of the year!
9
Host a Fondue Party
Is there anything more rich and decadent than fondue? Whether you go savory or sweet, anyone will love the fanciness of a fondue party! Make it a BYOD ("bring your own dippers") situation with cookies, graham crackers, and strawberries. Yum!
Get the Chocolate Fondue recipe.
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10
Make Heart-Shaped Pizza
You can't have a party without pizza! And if it's Valentine's Day, it better be heart-shaped—topped with heart-shaped pepperonis, too. If you don't feel like cooking, you can even order heart-shaped pizzas.
Get the recipe at Kathryn's Kitchen.
11
Host a Rom-Com Movie Night
If romantic comedies are your favorite genre (and why wouldn't they be?) then this is your time to shine. Make a list of your favs, invite your sweetheart or gals to join, and binge the night away. Don't forget the candy!
Get the tutorial at The Peach Kitchen.
12
Play Festive Games
The kiddos will love this one! There are tons of festively fun games to play as a family this V-day like racing to pick up candy hearts using a straw, trying to land heart-shaped rings on bottles, themed word scrambles and so many more!
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade.
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13
DIY a Photo Backdrop
If you're planning to dress up in cute Valentine's Day outfits, put up festive decorations, and invite people over for the evening, then you definitely need a photo wall to help capture the moment! DIY your own backdrop and grab some props to finish it off.
Get the tutorial at Spark & Chemistry.
14
Enjoy a Spa Night
Don't stress about the holiday. Instead, enjoy a little rest and relaxation a la Cupid. You can find heart-shaped bath bombs, pink face masks, and floral scented products galore! This one is great because there's so many options: you can spoil your hubby, have a night with the girls, or just focus on yourself.
Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Thing.
15
Arrange a Charcuterie Board
The rose-shaped meats and heart-shaped cheeses that make up this love-themed charcuterie board are almost too pretty to eat. But, it's all so yummy that you and your guests won't be able to help yourselves!
Get the recipe at Chica and Jo.
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16
Throw a Pajama Party
Whether it's you and your little ones or you and your besties, there's hardly anything more fun than a pajama party! Just make sure to find adorable Valentine's Day pajamas for everyone to wear. And have some donuts on hand, too!
Get the tutorial at Something Delightful.
17
Have a Tea Party
For a day just as lovely as the feeling it represents, try your hand at an elegant tea party. Send out invites and encourage their best Valentine's Day dresses. Delicious desserts and darling decorations will only add to the ambience.
Get the tutorial at Plum Deluxe.
18
Make a Festive Balloon Arch
What better way to celebrate than with a whole bunch of balloons? Instead of grabbing a handful of strings, consider shaping the balloons into a picture-perfect arch.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
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19
Build a Giant Chocolate Heart Box
This adorable wall-hanging display will be a hit for taking photos on Valentine's Day.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
20
Make a Batch of Chocolate Cookies
Looking for new ways to shower your Valentine in sweets? These chocolate cookies are a good place to start. Ree and her mom used to make them together every February 14!
Get Ree's Chocolate Valentine Cookies recipe.
Rebecca Norris
Contributing Writer
Rebecca Ravee Norris is a freelance writer with a decade's worth of lifestyle media experience. Based out of the Washington metropolitan area, she covers everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University and has a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not writing, she can be found with her beloved Jack-Chi, Cash, working through reps at the gym, dreaming up her next home decor project, testing a new recipe, getting lost in the pages of a book, or catching up on her favorite shows.
