5 Tips For Hosting Intentional Analog Gatherings For Galentine’s Day

Galentine‘s is a fun take on Valentine’s Day, where women gather to celebrate each other platonically as opposed to reserving Valentine’s Day for romantic partners. If you’re the party host for Galentine’s Day this year, you may be feeling excited or even overwhelmed. Regardless of the emotion, we can channel it into preparation and create a beautiful, intentional Galentine’s gathering that will get attendees off their phones and feeling loved and appreciated. Here are some tips for hosting.

There’s no better way to create an intentional night than starting with intentional planning. Creating your guest list is truly curating the energy at your event. Try mixing friend groups and inviting people who may not know each other, but you think will get along well. Consider who will truly enjoy the festivities you have planned and those you’d like to become closer friends with.

Don’t let your guests fumble through their closet and stress about what to wear. Giving the gals a clear dress code will help alleviate stress, making this a gathering they’re excited to attend. Bonus points if the dress code is pink pajamas. It makes the vibes of your gathering cozy and relaxed before it even starts.

A big part of a gathering is the atmosphere your guests walk into. Create a playlist of songs that fit the occasion for when your guests arrive. It’s okay to continue cooking or preparing as guests arrive. However, having a small treat ready before the party gives your guests something to snack on as people begin to trickle in. As you get ready, do not apologize for the state of your house. As intentional gatherings become more frequent, it’s important to feel comfortable inviting people into your space. Plus, you may not be aware of it, but your confidence in yourself and your hosting abilities comes across to your guests and helps to create a calm environment.

There’s no need to prepare everything by yourself. Taking on every responsibility can be overwhelming. If there are foods you won’t have time to make, ask a friend. Leave room for guests to bring their own tokens of appreciation – such as wine, a game, or a fun snack. If guests ask if there’s anything that they could do to ease your load, be honest. They’ll be excited to share their contribution with the party, and letting your guests know who has brought what is a conversation starter and bond builder.

Conversation is the basis of nearly any gathering. Some ways to start it off include sharing what motivated you to create this gathering and why each of them made the guest list. Don’t be afraid to get sappy. It’s Valentine’s Day after all. Share what inspires you about your friends. Ask them how things have been going – about their new promotion or their new favorite hobby.

Pro tip: While your guests are chattering amongst themselves, this is a good time to decompress. You did all of the work to set up this gathering; enjoy it!

As the night continues, each activity should depend on everyone’s mood. For example, if you have a Galentine’s dinner and the conversation flows well, let people continue to chat long after the dinner is finished. Do not feel you should move on to every activity you planned for the night. On the other hand, if conversation is not flowing the way you’d hoped for, offer up a few activities to keep your guests engaged.

For many, returning to analog in a world full of digital distractions may be one of the most beneficial things they can do right now. An intentional, analog gathering is truly focused on connection and nurturing relationships with those who attend – perfect for Galentine’s Day.