Why Valentine’s Day is better with friends
Valentine’s Day with friends just hits different. There are no awkward expectations, no forced romance, and no fancy dinner reservations with tiny portion sizes and overpriced themed cocktails. Platonic Valentine’s parties are all about coming together with people who actually get you and romanticising the friendships in your life. And honestly? Who deserves to be celebrated more than the ones who pick you up after a bad break-up, have your coffee order down, and know exactly which memes you’ll actually laugh at?
How to plan the perfect friends’ Valentine’s party with your besties: The UO guide
This year, Valentine’s Day is officially a group project – think cosy sleepover energy, inside jokes, shared snacks, and the kind of love that lets you show up in joggers. Whether you’re single, healing, happily ace, or just not into the pressure, this is your sign to celebrate friendship in all its iconic forms. From Galentine’s games to nostalgic sleepover rituals (face masks, rom-coms, and late-night confessions included), here’s your guide to throwing a Valentine’s party with friends that’s all about platonic love, self-love, and choosing your people.
What to wear to a friends’ Valentine’s party
OK, first up: the dress code. The beautiful thing about hosting a Galentine’s party or friends’ Valentine’s is that there’s zero pressure to dress red carpet ready. It’s all about comfort, cosiness, and having enough room to enjoy all the snacks on offer.
Out From Under Eat Your Heart Out Pyjama Shorts
Damson Madder Florie Frill Pyjama Set
Out From Under Stripe Jersey Ruched Pyjama Trousers
BDG Green Check Textured Barrel Joggers
What to eat at a Valentine’s party with friends
Food is the secret sauce of any unforgettable Valentine’s party with friends. Keep it cosy and creative with themed snacks that turn your hangout into an experience. Host a Studio Ghibli movie night and cook whimsical dishes inspired by The Unofficial Ghibli Cookbook (think Totoro-approved treats and Soot Sprite snacks). Or, fire up a make-your-own pizza party with fresh dough and your fave toppings, and recreate recipes from Pizza Napoli: Recipes & Stories from the Birthplace of Pizza. Perfecting your pizza fold together will be a bonding experience – trust us.
OK, first up: the dress code. The beautiful thing about hosting a Galentine’s party or friends’ Valentine’s is that there’s zero pressure to dress red carpet ready. It’s all about comfort, cosiness, and having enough room to enjoy all the snacks on offer.
Out From Under Eat Your Heart Out Pyjama Shorts
Damson Madder Florie Frill Pyjama Set
Out From Under Stripe Jersey Ruched Pyjama Trousers
BDG Green Check Textured Barrel Joggers
What to eat at a Valentine’s party with friends
Food is the secret sauce of any unforgettable Valentine’s party with friends. Keep it cosy and creative with themed snacks that turn your hangout into an experience. Host a Studio Ghibli movie night and cook whimsical dishes inspired by The Unofficial Ghibli Cookbook (think Totoro-approved treats and Soot Sprite snacks). Or, fire up a make-your-own pizza party with fresh dough and your fave toppings, and recreate recipes from Pizza Napoli: Recipes & Stories from the Birthplace of Pizza. Perfecting your pizza fold together will be a bonding experience – trust us.
Valentine’s Day games & activities
No Valentine’s Day group hang is complete without activities to keep the sleepover energy up. Lean into nostalgia and creativity with sticker books, journaling, or making mini vision boards for your future love life (friendship love counts). To learn more about each other and deepen connections, try a card game like We’re Not Really Strangers. Or, get your tarot on and take turns reading the cards from Love Oracles: Romance and Relationship Guidance for answers to any relationship dilemmas. While you’re playing, pop on a sheet mask – they’re the holy grail of sleepovers and cosy nights in.
Romance, Endearments & Affections: Sticker, Colour & Activity Book
The Ultimate Nail Art Sticker Book By Asa Bree Sieracki
Biodance Collagen Sheet Mask
No Valentine’s Day group hang is complete without activities to keep the sleepover energy up. Lean into nostalgia and creativity with sticker books, journaling, or making mini vision boards for your future love life (friendship love counts). To learn more about each other and deepen connections, try a card game like We’re Not Really Strangers. Or, get your tarot on and take turns reading the cards from Love Oracles: Romance and Relationship Guidance for answers to any relationship dilemmas. While you’re playing, pop on a sheet mask – they’re the holy grail of sleepovers and cosy nights in.
Romance, Endearments & Affections: Sticker, Colour & Activity Book
The Ultimate Nail Art Sticker Book By Asa Bree Sieracki
Biodance Collagen Sheet Mask
How to decorate for a Valentine’s Day party
When it comes to decorating for your Valentine’s Day party, keep it low-key but considered. Start in the kitchen: that’s where all the guests tend to drift for refreshments and late-night chats, after all. Set the table with a mix of new and second-hand crockery for a mismatched, unique feel, and lean into anything in the colours red or pink. Banish the big light and swap out for string lights, lamps and candles (the more the merrier – act like you’ve had a power cut, basically). For a low-cost and thoughtful touch, write a place card for each person with something you love about them. Couples aren’t the only ones who deserve to feel special on V-Day.
Chef's Kiss Tea Towels 2-Pack
Crystal Heart Sconce Lamp
Maegen Champagne Taper Holder
Leopard Ruffle Heart Cushion
Grunge Small Tumbler
When it comes to decorating for your Valentine’s Day party, keep it low-key but considered. Start in the kitchen: that’s where all the guests tend to drift for refreshments and late-night chats, after all. Set the table with a mix of new and second-hand crockery for a mismatched, unique feel, and lean into anything in the colours red or pink. Banish the big light and swap out for string lights, lamps and candles (the more the merrier – act like you’ve had a power cut, basically). For a low-cost and thoughtful touch, write a place card for each person with something you love about them. Couples aren’t the only ones who deserve to feel special on V-Day.
Chef's Kiss Tea Towels 2-Pack
Crystal Heart Sconce Lamp
Maegen Champagne Taper Holder
Leopard Ruffle Heart Cushion
Grunge Small Tumbler
Valentine’s party favours and small gift ideas
If your love language is gift-giving, this is your time to shine. What could be more loving than gifting your guests a little party bag as they leave? It’s school birthday party energy, but with an adult-appropriate angle. Fill a tote bag up with small gifts that they’ll use again and again. Spot stickers, a trusty mug for the caffeine addict, and a pair of knickers or socks are all failsafe options. If you want to say “I love you” even louder, you could treat your friends to a piece of jewellery to remember the night by.
Silence + Noise Mini Heart Locket Lariat Necklace
Icon Mini Mug
Out From Under Mi Amor Frill Mesh Thong
Happy Socks Bow Socks
Starface Pink Spot Stickers
If your love language is gift-giving, this is your time to shine. What could be more loving than gifting your guests a little party bag as they leave? It’s school birthday party energy, but with an adult-appropriate angle. Fill a tote bag up with small gifts that they’ll use again and again. Spot stickers, a trusty mug for the caffeine addict, and a pair of knickers or socks are all failsafe options. If you want to say “I love you” even louder, you could treat your friends to a piece of jewellery to remember the night by.
Silence + Noise Mini Heart Locket Lariat Necklace
Icon Mini Mug
Out From Under Mi Amor Frill Mesh Thong
Happy Socks Bow Socks
Starface Pink Spot Stickers