How to Throw a Galentine’s Brunch

I’m not always into trends, but the ever-popular Galentine’s Day is one trend I’m happy to get on board and celebrate. As the name would suggest, Galentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate all the gals in your life—all your friendships! It’s almost like a bridal shower but there is no bride and everyone is the guest of honor. It actually originated with Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation (boy do I miss that show). Leslie said, “What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and just kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas!” To learn more about why this made-up holiday is so awesome, check out this Buzz Feed article (you’ll get a good laugh).

I love this alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day for a few reasons:

1. Single gals tend to dread Valentine’s Day and in response have done “anti-Valentine’s” day parties, yet that approach is a bit negative for me. Even though single, I’m not anti love. This is a way to lift up everyone.
2. You can include all your friends, not just the single gals.
3. It’s the perfect excuse to have a get together. Who doesn’t like girl time?

Okay, now onto the party details

Inspired by Leslie Knope’s original idea, I planned a brunch and I wanted it to be as girly as possible so the colors are pink, on pink, on pink, on red! I also wanted there to be an activity because my friends are always asking me to throw a craft/DIY party. I figured once done eating, why not turn the main table into a planting station so each girl could take home a lovely potted plant of their creation. Here are the details for the brunch and I’ll follow up this post with all the details about the planting activity.

It’s all centered around the flowers

It started with the flower box. Oriental Trading actually contacted me to do a Valentine’s post and so I got to handpick some of their items to use for this party! I will give you a full overview of the products I used at the end of the article, but while first searching their website I fell in love with the DIY wood box as well as some galvanized pots so I knew my design choices would be centered around using them.

The box was cute as is, but even the product name says “DIY” so I knew I needed to embellish it some how and I’m so glad I did. My friend Whit of Just the Frosting creates custom vinyl decals and while I was looking through her products on Etsy I discovered this love arrow and the rest was history. It’s honestly my favorite detail and I have the complete tutorial on my DIY Flower Box Centerpiece post. You’ll be shocked at how easy this is!

Now let’s talk flowers! I get a high when my vision comes together, and these flowers have me feeling all kinds of wonderful. They became a reality thanks to my friend Monica of Twig and Vine Florals. I usually do all my own flowers, but this box is massive and I wasn’t sure I would be able to accomplish my vision on my own. So I contacted Monica and sent her some inspirational photos. She was then gracious enough to have me over to not only put the arrangement together, but to give me a tutorial on how to build a large arrangement using oasis floral foam. The tutorial quickly turned into fun girl time and I forgot to take pictures of all the steps, but I’m excited to now attempt some harder arrangements. Plus I can say I did “help” with this beauty. If you live in Whittier, CA or surrounding LA and OC areas, I highly recommend Monica for your next event!

I keep it real and use paper goods

Sorry if you are a firm believer in using all “real” plates, napkins, etc., but paper goods just make everything cheaper and easier—especially clean up! The problem is that a lot of time paper goods can look really cheesy, but here are a couple tips to keep it classy:

1. Pick solid colors or simple patterns in one or two colors. And more often than not, white is always a good choice. Here I really wanted my flowers to stand out, so if I had used pink and red table clothes, plates and silverware, it would have taken away from their beauty. So instead I picked all white, using white plastic tablecloths, white plastic dinner plates with a pretty ribbed detail (they look real) and clear plastic silverware. I then did use pink cloth napkins, but they too pop with all the white.
2. Don’t use all paper goods. I like to mix in some “real” non-throwaway items with my paper goods. So for example, here I used real napkins and quilted mason jars for glasses.
3. When using plastic tablecloths, double up! Seeing the legs of folding tables can be so well…ugh! So to fix this eye sore, I simply use two plastic tablecloths so that I can have each one drape to the floor. And in addition, I’ve discovered that this helps prevent the wind blowing your tablecloth off. They still blow but they don’t blow all the way to the top of the table.

Folded Heart Napkins Have My Heart

Okay, I’ve tried different fancy folded napkins before and frankly have had a lot of failures, this is not the case with these hearts. As long as you have a square cloth napkin, you too can do this. And I didn’t have napkins so I simply went to Joann’s and bought a light pink cotton that I cut into squares—easy peasy. As for how to fold them, there are tons of tutorials if you search “heart napkins” on Pinterest, here’s the link.

Brunch Proves Simple

I did not want to cook so I went to a local bakery and purchased a quiche and baked goods.  I then used store bought cookies for extra sweets, sorry not sorry!

The only prep I actually did myself was cutting the fruit and putting on the whipped cream. I then plated everything using my collection of rustic serving platters from Home Goods plus the super cute heart snack cups from Oriental Trading (complete with the arrow picks – sometimes you need a little cheesy!).

As for drinks, keep that simple too. Champagne, coffee, tea and water are good picks for a brunch. Or have a signature cocktail as well, perhaps Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas or Bellinis (like I did). Use paper straws for added cute factor. Here I turned my straws into what I call Sugar Straws, be sure to check out my easy tutorial.

And then we made it a “Planting Party”

Last, but not least, I love a good activity. Plus, I also love succulents. I mean, who doesn’t? So once done eating, I figured it would be easy to change the table into a planting station and allow everyone to make their own arrangement (so this acted as an activity and favor all in one). And it was super easy to change the table over. I just cleared the table and put the original centerpiece on the buffet table. I then brought out the succulents and pots that I had waiting on the buffet table as decor.

This part of the planning was really fun because I designed printable tags for the pots as well as two signs to display on the table. You can get all the details on how to turn your Galentine’s Brunch into a Planting Party on my follow up post, Galentine’s Day Planting Party. The post include downloads for two free print-it-yourself printables.

A special thanks to Oriental Trading for sending me items to use for this post. I was pleasantly surprised and even overwhelmed, by the large variety of affordable and cute party and craft supplies available on their website. And a lot of the items I picked will be used (and enjoyed) for years to come (the flower box, pink and red glass votives, galvanized buckets). Although I received free products, all opinions are my own and I receive no compensation for any products purchased through the links on this post.