Hot take: Valentine’s Day parties are vastly underrated. Forget a romantic dinner for two at a snooty restaurant! Throw a party (or, like, a fun lil brunch) with your entire friend group instead. Go all out with decorations and give each other homemade valentines (!). Throw in a few themed co*cktails too, and you’ve got a soiree that rivals any other. After all, V-Day is a time to celebrate all love—which is def an excuse to have a party with your BFFs. (Your boo can come too, of course.)
The hidden lil bonus about all this? Valentine’s Day is such an aesthetically pleasing celebration. There’s the red and the pink and the chocolate and a very good reason to bring back rosé season early. It honestly makes me wonder why there aren’t more V-Day parties happening every year. This is a missed opportunity, people! It’s time to embrace the cheesy, lovey-dovey feels and put these 28 snazzy Valentine’s Day party ideas to good use.
Go ahead and scroll through for some fun party-planning tips that will make your V-Day bash the envy of the newsfeed.
1. Send some sexy-ass invites
Get your crew psyched with all the deets on your festive event. You could make it super cute and go the snail-mail route. Or if you’re looking for something more immediate, then a perfectly designed digital invite sent straight to their emails could be just the choice for you. Or you know a Whats-app with a lot of heart emojis always goes down a treat.
2. Plan a fun party game
Yes, catching up is fun, but change things up with this card game that might make you laugh so hard you pee a little.
3. Get the drinks ready
Whip up an easy Valentine’s Day co*cktail recipe for your party guests or keep it simple and just grab yourself a nice bottle of tequila, wine, or alcohol-free spirits. (Yes, those exist!)
4. Prep a cute lil craft
All good soirees have a fun activity—which can totally mean doing a V-Day craft. (They’re not just for kids, okay?) Make each other some DIY cards! Make friendship bracelets! Once co*cktails get passed around, people are bound to get creative.
5. Set up a romantic movie room
For guests who just want a moment away from the chatter (or couples who want a sec to snug), a movie room is the perf addition to any party. Throw on a romantic film, dim the lights, and give the partygoers a place to relax.
6. Do some fortune telling
Friends of any relationship status can enjoy this gorgeously illustrated deck of future-revealing tarot cards. (Or amp up the ~sexy vibes~ with an erotically themed deck instead.)
SOL Complete 78pcs Tarot Card Deck and Guidebook
SOL Complete 78pcs Tarot Card Deck and Guidebook
7. Set up a DIY photo booth
Now’s the time to use that random spare wall in your flat. Set up an Insta-worthy backdrop by covering a wall with glitter-foil and other festive items. Order some uh-mazing on-brand props and balloons, and snap and share.
8. Come dressed on theme
We’re not saying you gotta show up to your own party dressed in lingerie—but we're certainly not stopping you if you feel like wearing something a lil special under your party clothes. Aside from lace frills and strappy garments, there’s a slew of other V-Day-themed ’fits you could get all gussied up in (and yes pyjamas count as partywear).
Stripe & Stare Pale Pink Stripe Long Pyjama Set
Cherry Satin Pyjama Shirt
9. Have a little spa day
Self-love is the best kind of love. So why not give your party a "treat yourself" theme and curate a relaxing mini oasis? Set up a mani/pedi station, have a massage gun ready, and maybe even light some candles to *really* set the scene.
10. Do a 'secret cupid' gift exchange
Gift swap parties shouldn't be reserved for December! Have your guests bring a small token that falls under an agreed-upon price limit. Then, once your guests arrive, put everyone's name in a hat, and whoever you draw gets your present!
11. Bake and decorate!
This is the festive occasion where people with a sweet tooth thrive. Exactly why it's the perfect opportunity for a baking party. If you don't want to bake something from scratch, you could opt to decorate pre-made biscuits, or ice some cupcakes instead.
12. Host a classy dinner party
Obviously "dinner for two" is the most steadily established V-Day idea of all time. Let's take it up a notch with "dinner for [insert # of invitees here]." Design a cute menu, create a Valentine's Day-themed tablescape, and make sure you tell your guests to dress to impress. This will make for a great photo op and IRL experience.
Anna + Nina Sweet Sorrow Glass Candle Holder
Porcelain Medium Plate
Dunelm Set of 2 Pink Scalloped Edge Placemats
Dusky Dinner Candle
13. Make flower bouquets
Sure, receiving a bouquet is "nice" and all (OK, it's actually really cute and we get emotional every time), but making bouquets with your friends? New levels of all the feels, truly. Plus, it's an engaging party activity with a gorgeous outcome! For your stem supply, have everyone bring a bouquet of a specific type of flowers so that they can add them to the main pile.
14. Paint candles together
This is another cool, creative endeavour for your group. Just buy a bunch of taper candles, paint, and a few paintbrushes and you'll have the most aesthetic addition to your home.
15. Make appreciation slideshows
"Slideshow nights" are all the rage on TikTok, and for a good reason. Everyone comes with a hilarious presentation on a specific subject prepared, and in the spirit of V-Day, your subject should be Bestie Appreciation. You can include little-known facts, favourite memories, the works. You know this'll cause some happy tears to flow.
16. Do a wine swap
Here's a low-stakes activity that will get the party going. Have everyone bring their favourite bottle and wrap it up nicely, then place it on a table as they arrive. From there, every guest can pick a random bottle to keep (or pop open then and there, because why the hell not?).
17. Have a fun sleepover
The party should never end! Embrace your inner giggly teen and turn the shindig into an overnight affair. Make the dress code matching PJs to really take things a step further.
18. Write platonic love letters
Cringey? Yes. Heartwarming? Yes—with emphasis. Penning each other professions of love on cute stationery is the perfect way to honour both your friends and the season. Extra points if you've got anyone with cool calligraphy skills in your group.
19. Set up some mood lighting
It's all about the ambiance, y'all. So, for your V-Day soiree, invest in some heart-shaped string lights to hang in the space and set the mood.
20. Have heart-shaped fruit and veggie platters
If you want to get really festive, place your mini bites in heart-shaped serving trays. Why take on the Valentine's Day theme if you're not going to commit? Even the starters should feel the love!
21. Set up a lovey-dovey playlist
Build a collaborative playlist on Spotify! All of your partygoers can add their fave romantic tunes, and each of you gets a chance to play DJ for the night.
22. Get some karaoke going
No need for stellar vocals! Just a karaoke machine and a setlist of popular throwback tunes to please your adoring fans (aka your friends). No activity will bond a group more.
23. Do a scavenger hunt
Now, is this the first activity that pops into your head when you think of Valentine's Day? Probably not. But you can make it a whole thing with sweet prizes and V-Day-themed riddles. Here's how to set up a scavenger hunt BTW.
24. Play rom-com charades
Forget about regular charades. Test your group's essential rom-com knowledge with a few rounds of charades specifically focused on the classic movies in this genre. If the performances are particularly tragic, you'll know it's time to make the night a movie marathon instead.
25. Play Prosecco pong!
It's literally just beer pong, but prettier. Clear a table, pop open your bubbly, and get your game faces ready.
26. Hand out accessories to wear
When you look around the room and see your friends dripped out in heart headbands and cupid wings, you'll thank us. The V-day dress-up opportunities are vast, so stock up on the cutest options and have your guests model them all night.
PLULON 34 Pieces Valentines Heart Headbands, Sunglasses and Temporary Tattoos
PLULON 34 Pieces Valentines Heart Headbands, Sunglasses and Temporary Tattoos
27. Distribute disposable cameras
These are great for capturing memories throughout the night. By making every one of your guests participate, the event pics that you develop will have a wide range of ~artistic visions~ and perspectives. That's exactly the kind of variety we like to see!
28. Play Guess Who?
Times like these are when you should get to know your buds. Have everybody write down random fun facts about themselves on pieces of paper, and then go around in a circle drawing them from a hat. Whoever guesses the most correctly gets best friend bragging rights.
Happy V-Day!
From:
Cosmopolitan US
As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or emotions, but I have been trained on a diverse range of topics and have access to a vast amount of information. I can provide information related to the concepts used in this article. Let's go through each concept and discuss it in detail:
Valentine's Day Parties:
Valentine's Day parties are a fun and alternative way to celebrate the holiday with friends and loved ones. Instead of traditional romantic dinners, these parties focus on creating a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved. They can include various activities, decorations, themed co*cktails, and games to make the event memorable.
Party Planning Tips:
The article suggests several party planning tips to make your Valentine's Day bash the envy of the newsfeed. Here are some key tips mentioned:
- Sending Invitations: You can send invitations to your guests through various means, including physical mail, digital invites, or messaging apps like WhatsApp. The goal is to get your crew excited about the event and provide them with all the details they need.
- Planning Fun Party Games: Besides catching up, consider incorporating interactive games to keep the party lively. The article suggests a card game called "Wanna Bet Challenge" as an example.
- Preparing Drinks: Whip up Valentine's Day-themed co*cktails for your guests or provide a selection of beverages such as tequila, wine, or alcohol-free spirits.
- Organizing Crafts: Offer a fun activity like DIY card-making or creating friendship bracelets for your guests. The article mentions a clay beads kit as an example.
- Setting up a Movie Room: Create a cozy corner where guests can relax and watch romantic movies. Dim the lights and provide comfortable seating arrangements.
- Fortune Telling: Consider incorporating tarot cards or other fortune-telling activities to add a mystical touch to your party.
- DIY Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth area with a festive backdrop, props, and balloons for guests to take memorable pictures.
- Dressing Up: Encourage guests to dress up in Valentine's Day-themed outfits or attire that matches the party's theme. This could range from romantic and elegant to fun and playful.
- Spa Day: Create a mini spa area where guests can indulge in self-care activities like manicures, pedicures, massages, or relaxation with scented candles.
- Secret Cupid Gift Exchange: Have guests bring small gifts within an agreed-upon price range. Then, draw names from a hat, and each person gives their present to the person whose name they drew.
- Baking and Decorating: Host a baking party where guests can bake and decorate Valentine's Day-themed treats like cookies or cupcakes. This can be a fun and engaging activity.
- Classy Dinner Party: Design a cute menu, create a Valentine's Day-themed tablescape, and host a dinner party for your guests. Encourage them to dress to impress.
- Flower Bouquets: Have guests bring bouquets of specific types of flowers, and then collectively create beautiful bouquets together.
- Painting Candles: Provide taper candles, paint, and paintbrushes so guests can personalize their own candles.
- Appreciation Slideshows: Create slideshows that celebrate your friends' best moments and memories. This can be a heartwarming activity that brings everyone closer.
- Wine Swap: Ask guests to bring their favorite bottles of wine, wrap them up nicely, and have a random selection process where each guest gets a bottle to keep or enjoy during the party.
- Sleepover: Extend the party into an overnight affair by having a fun sleepover. Encourage guests to wear matching pajamas for added fun.
- Platonic Love Letters: Provide cute stationery for guests to write and exchange love letters that express their affection and appreciation for each other.
- Mood Lighting: Create a romantic ambiance by using heart-shaped string lights or other decorative lighting options.
- Heart-shaped Fruit and Veggie Platters: Serve mini bites in heart-shaped serving trays to enhance the Valentine's Day theme.
- Lovey-Dovey Playlist: Collaboratively create a playlist of romantic songs for the party. Each guest can contribute their favorite romantic tunes.
- Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine and have a selection of popular throwback love songs for guests to sing along and enjoy.
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a Valentine's Day-themed scavenger hunt with sweet prizes and riddles for guests to solve.
- Rom-Com Charades: Play charades focusing on classic romantic comedy movies to test your group's knowledge and have a fun time.
- Prosecco Pong: Play a variation of beer pong using prosecco or other sparkling wine. It adds a touch of elegance to the party.
- Party Accessories: Provide guests with fun accessories like heart headbands, cupid wings, or other Valentine's Day-themed items to wear and enhance the festive atmosphere.
- Disposable Cameras: Distribute disposable cameras to guests so they can capture memories throughout the night. This adds a nostalgic touch to the event.
- Guess Who?: Play a game where everyone writes down random facts about themselves, and guests try to guess who the facts belong to. It's a fun way to get to know each other better.
These are just a few ideas mentioned in the article to make your Valentine's Day party memorable and enjoyable for you and your friends. You can mix and match these concepts to create a unique and personalized event. Remember, the main goal is to have fun and celebrate love in all its forms.
