How To: Host a “Favorite Things” Party for Galentine’s Day
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your continued support!Galentine’s Day, celebrated on February 13th, is the perfect occasion to honor the special women in your life. What better way to celebrate friendship than by hosting a “Favorite Things” party? This fun and interactive gathering allows guests to share their favorite items and discover new treasures. The best part? It can be customized to meet any budget and number of guests.
I recently attended a Favorite Thing brunch and it was so much fun. While the “Favorite Things” Party can be quite popular around the holidays, it’s so nice to have something to look forward to in February — so why not host a Favorite Things party this month?
Here’s a step-by-step guide you can use to host a memorable Galentine’s Day party that your friends will cherish!
Need ideas for what to bring? Don’t worry — I’ve got you! I’m also sharing the Favorite Things gift I brought to the party along with ideas you can bring for every budget.
How To Host a “Favorite Things” Party: Your Step-by-Step Guide
The key to a successful “Favorite Things” Party is inviting guests who are excited to participate and share their favorite items. Since you will be asking your guests to invest their money in purchasing several guests, it’s important to make sure you have a core group of guests who are willing to participate. Start with the group chat and see if a) there’s interest b) there’s a budget everyone is comfortable with and c) there are a few dates that work with everyone. Once you have that foundation, you can expand the guest list.
CHOOSE A DATE AND TIME: Select a date and time that works for most of your friends. An evening gathering with snacks and drinks can create an elevated atmosphere, while a morning brunch with coffee and baked goods can lend itself well to this cozy time of year.
DECIDE ON THE GUEST LIST: This type of party requires commitment and participation, so keep that in mind when creating the guest list. Limit the number of guests to keep the gathering intimate. Aim for 6-10 friends to ensure everyone has a chance to share.
CHOOSE THE GIFT GUIDELINES: Decide how many items each guest should bring. A common rule, and the one we followed, is to ask guests to bring 3 of their favorite things, with a set price limit. While the budget per gift can be left to the group, I would recommend sticking between $10-$20 per gift (our limit was $15). Keep scrolling for my Favorite Things gift ideas for $10, $15 and $20.
SEND THE INVITES: Send out invitations and include details about the theme, date, time, the gift guidelines, and any items guests should bring. As the host, you can consider providing all of the food and drink, or provide the main meal and ask guests to bring a side dish to share.
PREPARE THE MENU: Plan a menu of simple snack and beverages. Think finger foods, a charcuterie board, or a DIY cocktail/mocktail bar. Consider incorporating themed treats, like heart-shaped cookies. Remember to ask your guests if they have any food allergies/sensitivities and take those into consideration when creating the menu.
SET THE SCENE: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Use soft lighting and seasonal decor. For Galentine’s Day, you could use heart-shaped table confetti, pink & red decor, cozy blankets and throw pillows, allowing this simple theme to resonate with the meaning of Galentine’s Day. Queue up a great playlist, set up seating arrangements conducive to conversation and be sure to have a designated area for the gift exchange.
Not sure what to wear? Check out my pink style picks perfect for any occasion this month! You’ll find options for beauty and home decor while learning everything these is to know about the color pink!
FAVORITE THINGS PARTY GIFTING TIPS
Whenever someone brings up a Favorite Things Party, the most frequently asked questions are “What’s a good gift to bring?” and “What gift would you love to receive?” Let’s be honest, we all have products we love but it can be hard to find a standout item that fits in a $10, $15 or $20 budget and still gives that “Wow” factor.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve included these bonus shopping guides filled with cult-favorite products your friends will love.
Here are a few more tips to consider:
DIVIDE and CONQUER: Purchase items that can be divided up among gifts, just make sure each item is individually wrapped. Under eye masks, tea bags, hydration powder sticks and chapstick are a few examples of products you can easily find in multi-packs.
GO TRAVEL: Do you have a favorite makeup or hair product you love but doesn’t fit in the established gifting budget? Opt for travel size! This is a great way to share a product you love and allows your friends to try it without the commitment of a full-size product.
DIG DEEPER: Simple items can make a big impact when they are paired with a deeper meaning. A small orchid plant can be a reminder of beauty and elegance, a packed of wildflower seeds can open the imagination to a blooming summer garden, a gift card for a cup of coffee can be a reminder to slow down and connect with a friend. Attach a deeper meaning to the gift and share it with the guests — even the simplest items will take on new appreciation!
$15 Favorite Things Party Gift: Mini Orchid ($7 Trader Joe’s), NYX Lip Gloss ($6 at Target), Positive Energy Tea, Under-Eye Masks and Chocolates
BONUS: FAVORITE THINGS PARTY SHOPPING GUIDES
Favorite Things Party: How to Disperse the Gifts
There are different options you can use to disperse the gifts, but I want to share what we did and how it worked for our party.
NUMBER OF GIFTS: Each guest brought 3 wrapped gifts with a budget of $15 per gift to give and each gift received 3 different gifts to take home.
NAME DRAW: Each guest wrote their name on a piece of paper three times to be added to a drawing bowl. Each guest took turns drawing a name until each guest had three different names (this did take a bit of name swapping to make sure everyone had three unique names, but it worked!).
OPENING THE GIFTS: One guest should volunteer to start, offering to explain the “Favorite Thing” gift she brought as the guests who drew her name open their gifts. Take turns explaining the gift that was brought as the gift is open. I was so thrilled with all of the wonderful items each guest brought. You could tell everyone put a lot of thought into the gift and learning why it was their favorite made it extra special!
Hosting Etiquette Reminders
This is an etiquette blog afterall, so I would be remiss not to share a few simple reminders that will help you be a confident hostess while making your guests comfortable.
ASK FOR AND RESPECT DIETARY PREFERENCES: If you’re serving food, check for any dietary restrictions among your guests and provide options for everyone. You may want to consider also labeling the food if it’s not obvious. If serving alcohol, make sure to have interesting non-alcoholic options on hand as well.
SET A COMFORTABLE TONE: Cheerfully welcome your guests as they arrive, offer to hang their coats, and let them know where to set the gifts. Set out pre-filled drinks and a few simple appetizers that are ready for the guests’ arrival. Maintain a relaxed and inviting atmosphere throughout the party. If things don’t go exactly as planned, laugh it off and enjoy the moment.
BE INCLUSIVE: As the host, it is your job to ensure that everyone gets a chance to share and participate. Encourage quieter guests to speak up and share their favorites. If no one is eager to volunteer, lead the way and decide the order of sharing (alphabetical by first name, round the circle to the right, etc).
STAY ORGANIZED: Form a loose agenda to keep the party on track. Allow time for arrivals, food & drinks, and of course, time to share and exchange gifts. Once the gifts have been shared, have one or two more activities prepared to keep the party moving. This could be as simple as conversation starters or a “favorite game” that everyone can play together.
THANK YOUR GUESTS: Show appreciation for everyone’s presence. A heartfelt thank you, either during the party or in a follow up message, can go a long way.
Does the idea of hosting in a small space hold you back from opening your doors? Here’s your guide to hosting in small spaces. I promise you, your friends will be grateful for your effort and hospitality regardless of your square footage.
The Hostess with the Mostess! Thank you for hosting a wonderful party, friend!
Hosting a “Favorite Things” Party for Galentine’s Day is a delightful way to celebrate friendship and create lasting memories. With these steps and tips, you’ll be able to host a fabulous gathering that your friends will love!
Have you attended a Favorite Things Party before? What was the best gift you gave or received? Leave a comment and let me know if you’ll use this guide to host a Favorite Things Party of your own!
