Host Your Own ‘Galentine’s Day’ Party
Celebrate your true loves – your gal pals – in style this Valentine's with a high-end tea party planned just for the girls
Nanette Wong
11 February 2016
Houzz Contributor // Visual storyteller. I love connecting with other like-minded home enthusiasts and scouring Houzz for real home inspiration by real people. In my spare time, I try to think of clever food puns and write about food, design, and San Francisco.
Houzz Contributor // Visual storyteller. I love connecting with other like-minded... More
Throwing a party for Galentine’s Day – a holiday popularised by the TV comedy Parks and Recreation – is a fabulous way to celebrate friendship around Valentine’s Day. This year, consider making your celebration a dessert- and craft-filled gathering at home. By combining some DIY details with Grandma’s vintage china, lifestyle blogger Jamie Wong and I set up a tea-party-themed soiree for our closest girlfriends. Jamie also demonstrates an easy way to make a pompom – all you need is yarn and a kitchen utensil.
Key ingredients for the perfect party:
- make-it-yourself tea bar
- small bites, such as fresh fruit, scones or pastries
- fresh flowers
- vintage china
Start by setting out all your potential party decor on the table. Once you see what you have, you can choose a theme (ours was white with pastel colours and pompoms) and remove anything that doesn’t fit.
Fill in with other items from your living room or bedroom until you have a nice mix.
Fill in with other items from your living room or bedroom until you have a nice mix.
Next look for ways to repurpose kitchen items just for the day. Here we used cake stands to hold the sugar, milk and tea bags instead of the expected cakes or cupcakes. A milk jug from Ikea holds fresh flowers.
Grandma’s china cabinet is a great source for vintage china, but if that’s not available, check out local op-shops. Can’t find a complete set? Mix and match cups and plates for an eclectic touch.
Pick up diminutive sweets from your local grocery store – the smaller, the better! Be aware of any food allergies (such as nuts) or sensitivities (such as to gluten) your guests may have. Include both caffeinated and decaffeinated teas.
Add interest to the table by creating different heights among the serving pieces, such as by stacking two cake stands to balance out smaller teacups and decor. Place treats on either side of the table so that two people can serve themselves at the same time.
String garlands or lights above the table to complete the look. Then create a playlist of your favourite songs for background music, and you’re ready for the party.
Once the party has started, have extra hot water readily available for the teapot.
Keep extra food nearby as well, so you can easily replenish the treats.
To make the pompoms, you’ll need a pair of scissors, a large wooden fork or serving utensil, and some yarn.
1. Wrap the yarn horizontally around the middle of the fork. The more yarn you add, the fluffier your pompom will be.
2. Once you’ve added your desired amount of yarn, cut the end even with the edge of the fork.
3. Using additional yarn from your skein, tie a tight knot around the middle of the wrapped yarn. Leave the end long for now.
2. Once you’ve added your desired amount of yarn, cut the end even with the edge of the fork.
3. Using additional yarn from your skein, tie a tight knot around the middle of the wrapped yarn. Leave the end long for now.
4. Pull the wrapped yarn off the utensil.
5. Cut through all the loops of yarn on each side of the knot. Fluff the pompom, then trim any pieces that are sticking out.
6. Trim the end of the knot to the pompom’s length or leave it long to use for hanging the pompom.
Experiment with different utensils as a base for varying sizes of pompoms.
6. Trim the end of the knot to the pompom’s length or leave it long to use for hanging the pompom.
Experiment with different utensils as a base for varying sizes of pompoms.
Finally, when you’re planning to celebrate friendships, don’t forget to invite your furry friends as well.
TELL US
How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Share your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Host a Tea Party at Home
The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day
Live for Today and Make Every Day Special
TELL US
How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Share your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Host a Tea Party at Home
The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day
Live for Today and Make Every Day Special
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