Valentine's Day isn't just about celebrating romantic love with a partner, it's also about cherishing relationships with friends and family. If you're someone who loves hosting, February 14 is the best excuse to throw an incredible party at home — whether that means an intimate evening with your besties (a.k.a. Galentine's Day) or a larger co*cktail party or game night for the whole family. To help you plan the perfect soirée, we've rounded up Valentine's Day party ideas, ranging from decorating pointers and Valentine's Day desserts to adorable party themes and festive games.
Once you plan the guest list, it's time to deck out your home in pink and red decorations, brainstorm a few delicious desserts and pick up plenty of rosé for your visitors. You may also decide to plan a festive activity, like binge-watching romantic comedies, crafting homemade cards or playing Valentine's Day trivia. Or, copy one of the latest TikTok trends with a "Favorite Things" party or co*cktail theme night. No matter which direction you head, these exciting Valentine's Day activities are creative and cute ways to say "I love you."
1. Candle Making
Host a candle making party with friends, family or a romantic partner. Find a candle making kit, plus a set of floral essential oils (like cherry blossom or rose), so your crew can customize their own scent. You can even pick up dried flower buds or gemstone crystals for decoration.
2. Pajama Party
Whether you invite your best friends or spend an evening in with the kids, you can't go wrong with a Valentine's Day pajama party. Encourage everyone to wear their favorite matching set, no matter if the vibe is classy or casual.
Birdy Grey Eddie Pajama Set
Red Heart Pajama Set
3. Make a co*cktail inspired by...
From Taylor Swift eras and popular movies to ex boyfriend co*cktails, themed co*cktail nights are all over TikTok right now. Choose a concept for your party — which can be as simple as romantic co*cktails — then ask everyone to brainstorm a recipe and arrive with the ingredients. You'll each take turns making and presenting your co*cktail to the group.
4. Favorite Things Party
Not only does a Favorite Things party mean everyone goes home with a few presents, but it's also a great way to learn more about your besties. If you haven't seen this trend all over TikTok, here's how it works: everyone invited to the party chooses an item they're obsessed with — anything from skincare to cleaning supplies or a favorite snack. (Note: Most people set a budget per item). Typically, guests arrive with as many items as there are people and everyone switches, so you go home with all of your friends' "favorite things."
5. Wine and Chocolate Party
Have your guests unwind with a wine and chocolate party. To add a festive touch to the occasion, purchase pink wine glasses — plus plenty of rosé to go with them.
Signature Chocolate Truffles
Avaline Rosé
Plastic Champagne Flutes
Wine Glass Charms
6. Rose Petal Ice Cubes
Whether for water or co*cktails, impress your guests with infused ice cubes. To create, just add dried edible flowers to empty ice cube trays and slowly fill them with water. Feel free to mix in festive fruits or herbs as well!
7. Play Valentine's Day Trivia
From interesting facts to pop-culture moments and movie quotes, scout the web for Valentine's Day Trivia. Then, turn it into a game by quizzing your guests. Don't forget to pick out a few prizes for the lucky winners!
8. Pink and Red Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are a cute way for guests to snack throughout the day. Plus, a board filled with pink, red and purple treats doubles as party decor. Try cutting your favorite foods, like strawberries, brownies or even cheese slices, into heart shapes.
9. Flower Arranging
Have everyone bring a mix of real and faux flowers, then spend time creating your own lively bouquets and arrangements. They can even bring their own vases and accessories, like ribbons or rhinestone pins for the finishing touch.
Afloral Dried Globe Amaranth
10. Baking Party
While you can serve V-Day-themed treats at your bash, hosting a baking party is another engaging idea. There are so many to make, from red velvet cookies and pecan pie bars to shortbread squares and cookie shooters. Here's a list of Valentine's Day cookies your guests will love making.
11. Spa Party
When was the last time you and your friends had a spa day? Host a V-Day-themed spa day to relax. While Valentine's Day is about expressing love for others, it's also a time to show love for yourself. For inspiration, you can explore these expert tips for an at-home spa facial.
Spa Party Balloons
Rosie Make-up Headband
12. High Tea
Teacakes, pies and tarts are a few delectable picks when brainstorming your menu for high tea. Since this holiday is all about love, give your overall decor a festive look with floral napkin rings and pink teacups.
13. Game Night
Break the ice with fun games for newly acquainted guests. Adding a V-Day twist will make them a go-to for your event. If you can't think of any on your own, purchased ones (such as a Valentine's Day Party Emoji Game) might be a favorite to keep the conversations rolling.
Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates
Valentine's Day Emoji Game
14. Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is such a creative setup — and incredibly easy and fun to make. Whip out all the essentials for the table — the marshmallows, whipped cream, milk, cocoa powder and Baileys (if you want a boozy vibe) — then invite guests to mix their own concoctions to drink and bring home.
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
15. DIY Donut Bar
Create an eye-catching donut display using a pegboard. Categorize one section of the room as the donut bar, where guests can pick their favorite cake-styled donuts. Don't miss the chance to cover the sweet treats in pretty pink icing and plenty of sprinkles.
16. Romantic Comedy Movie Night
Who doesn't love a good rom-com? Gather your closest friends and family members together to binge-watch your favorite movies about love. From Just Friends with Ryan Reynolds to Last Holiday with Queen Latifah, expect a night of heartwarming tear-jerkers and the occasional "aww" moments. Set up a romantic movie room — and don't forget the popcorn. P.S. check out our roundup of the best rom-coms that are sure to entertain!
Retro Style Popcorn Popper
Fun Express Store Mini Popcorn Boxes
17. Make DIY Valentine’s Day Cards
Add a crafty aspect to your V-Day party by having guests make their own Valentine's Day cards. Our DIY Valentine's Day card ideas can help if you're on the hunt for unique options.
18. Set Up a DIY Photo Booth
For your V-Day party, adding a photo booth is a creative way to keep your guests entertained (and for them to have memories of your event). While you can create one before the gathering starts, you can also invite guests to help with this DIY project. Make sure to have a colorful backdrop (pink and red are ideal for this holiday, of course!) and include balloons and props.
Heart Garland
Hot Pink Latex Balloon Arch Kit
"Love" Balloon
Valentine's Day Photo Props
19. DIY Heart Shirts
Here's a DIY project they can wear even after the party is over! Using fabric paint to design hearts on white shirts is a cheap craft that only requires two supplies (unless you want to get extra crafty with glitter, rhinestones and more!).
20. Karaoke Party
Put everyone's voice to the test with a karaoke party. Sing over your favorite romantic tunes (which hopefully includes John Legend's "All of Me") and have a day full of fun.
21. Wear Valentine’s Day Costumes
An easy way to spice up your party is to have guests come in red, pink and white attire. Think giant heart costumes or Cupid suits (don't forget his arrows!).
Heart Men's Suit
Candy Heart Costume for Adults
22. Smash a Heart Piñata
What's a better way to celebrate love than by hitting a piñata? Especially when it's pink and shaped like a heart. Stuff the piñata with heart-shaped candy and let your guests have a go. You might like this small yet shiny heart-shaped one for your event.
23. DIY Valentine’s Wreath Making
Here's another project to keep everyone engaged. Check out our DIY Valentine's Day wreath ideas — a conversation heart wreath being one of them — for inspiration and have your guests create their own to take home.
24. Heart Wall Art
If you're unsure of how to decorate your space for the event, wall art is a good way to start. Decorate your walls with red, pink and white paper hearts. You can even print out small-sized pictures of your family and friends and stick them to your wall to make a large heart.
Tilted Heart Collage Art Print
Red Glitter Heart Garland
25. Decorate With Heart Balloons
When it comes to hosting a party, there's no such thing as too many balloons. Balloons make merry and easy party decorations, and your gathering will be a colorful and romantic escape with the right color and shape.
Heart Shape Foil Mylar Balloons
Candy Heart Balloons
26. Valentine’s Heart Pizza
You can order heart-shaped pizza for your guests or have loved ones enjoy making their own. Definitely buy toppings, like pepperoni and veggies, to allow your guests to customize their pies.
27. V-Day Themed Brunch
Weekend mornings are a great time for brunch, which is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the company of family and friends. Host a Valentine's Day-themed brunch with an array of delicious meals (check out our easy V-Day breakfast ideas) and add some colorful co*cktails (strawberry shortcake mimosas, anyone?).
28. Paint and Sip Party
Paint and sips are especially fun when done in a relaxing environment. Stock up on painting essentials and have your friends and family over for a night of drinks, painting and laughter.
Acrylic Paint Set
12 Pack Wood Table Top Easels
29. Secret Cupid Gift Swap
With this tradition, once you have the names of everyone who plans to attend, scramble their names together and assign someone to each person to offer a gift. Set a spending limit and encourage your guests to start shopping. When everyone arrives for the party, swap presents one by one and let happy conversation begin.
30. Fondue Night
Fondue is a tasty Valentine's Day idea everyone would enjoy. You can serve cheese fondue for dinner and chocolate fondue for dessert (deliciously complete with assorted marshmallows or fresh fruit).
Fondue Pot
Rockridge Press Essential Fondue Cookbook
31. Personalized Goodie Bags
Give out personalized goodie bags after your party or have guests create their own. Show love for others you may not know by donating extra bags to children in need.
32. Wine Swap
Wine lovers will appreciate the idea of a wine swap party. Allow everyone to bring their favorite drink to pair with flavorful hors d'oeuvres for a festive celebration.
Wander + Ivy Rosé
Sun Goddess Sauvignon Blanc
34. Take Polaroid Photos
Polaroids are great to have for any occasion. They print your photos on the spot and give you the chance to remember the special moments in your life. Take pictures of your guests, then stick them to your wall for everyone to see (you can even make heart-shaped wall art of your images at the end).
14. Valentine's Day Temporary Tattoos
Let's flashback to your childhood with temporary tattoos, but this time they're red, cute and on-theme for Valentine's Day. Since they're easy to wash off, let guests choose their favorites to wear during the celebration. Save some for the kids, too!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Valentine's Day Party Ideas and Concepts As an expert in party planning and celebrations, I can provide information related to all the concepts used in this article. Let's take a look at each idea and concept mentioned:
Candle Making
Hosting a candle making party is a great way to engage your guests in a creative activity. A candle making kit, along with floral essential oils and decorative elements like dried flower buds or gemstone crystals, can be used to customize the candles. This concept allows each guest to create their own unique scent and design.
Pajama Party
A Valentine's Day pajama party is a fun and cozy way to celebrate with friends or family. Encourage everyone to wear matching sets and create a relaxed atmosphere. Whether the vibe is classy or casual, the focus is on enjoying each other's company.
Themed co*cktails
Themed co*cktail nights have become popular, and you can choose a concept like romantic co*cktails for your party. Ask your guests to brainstorm their own co*cktail recipes and bring the necessary ingredients. This activity allows everyone to showcase their mixology skills and share their creations with the group.
Favorite Things Party
A Favorite Things party is a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day while also learning more about your friends. Each guest chooses an item they're obsessed with, within a set budget, and brings multiple copies of it to the party. The items are then swapped, so everyone goes home with a variety of their friends' favorite things.
Wine and Chocolate Party
A wine and chocolate party is a delightful way to indulge your guests. Purchase pink wine glasses and pair them with a selection of rosé wines. Adding signature chocolate truffles or other chocolate treats enhances the experience. This concept creates a relaxing and sophisticated atmosphere.
Rose Petal Ice Cubes
Impress your guests with rose petal ice cubes to elevate your beverage presentation. Simply add dried edible flowers to empty ice cube trays and top them off with water. You can also experiment with adding festive fruits or herbs for added flavor and visual appeal.
Valentine's Day Trivia
Challenge your guests with Valentine's Day trivia to test their knowledge. Prepare a list of interesting facts, pop-culture moments, and movie quotes related to Valentine's Day. Turn it into a game by quizzing your guests and offering prizes to the winners.
Pink and Red Charcuterie Board
Create a visually appealing charcuterie board filled with pink, red, and purple treats. Consider cutting fruits, brownies, or even cheese slices into heart shapes. This concept adds a festive touch to your party and allows guests to snack throughout the day.
Flower Arranging
Engage your guests in a flower arranging activity by asking them to bring a mix of real and faux flowers. Provide vases and accessories like ribbons or rhinestone pins for a finishing touch. This concept allows everyone to get creative and take home their own beautiful bouquet.
Baking Party
Hosting a baking party is a fun and interactive idea for your Valentine's Day celebration. Choose from a variety of V-Day-themed treats, such as red velvet cookies or shortbread squares. Guests can enjoy the process of baking together and indulge in delicious homemade treats.
Spa Party
Take the opportunity to pamper yourself and your guests with a V-Day-themed spa day. Provide face masks, sheet masks, and other spa essentials for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. This concept allows everyone to unwind and show love for themselves.
High Tea
Host a high tea party with a Valentine's Day twist. Serve teacakes, pies, and tarts, and decorate the space with floral napkin rings and pink teacups. This concept creates an elegant and charming atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.
Game Night
Break the ice and keep your guests entertained with fun games. Add a Valentine's Day twist to classic games or purchase themed games like Valentine's Day Party Emoji Game or Valentine's Day Bingo. This concept encourages interaction and laughter among your guests.
Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up a hot chocolate bar for your guests to create their own delicious concoctions. Provide essentials such as marshmallows, whipped cream, milk, cocoa powder, and even Baileys for a boozy twist. This concept allows everyone to customize their hot chocolate to their liking.
DIY Donut Bar
Create an eye-catching donut display using a pegboard and offer a variety of donut flavors and toppings. Encourage your guests to decorate their own donuts with pretty pink icing and sprinkles. This concept adds a fun and interactive element to your party.
Romantic Comedy Movie Night
Gather your loved ones and enjoy a movie marathon of romantic comedies. Set up a cozy movie room and provide popcorn for a complete movie night experience. This concept allows everyone to relax and enjoy heartwarming films.
DIY Valentine's Day Cards
Add a crafty aspect to your party by having guests make their own Valentine's Day cards. Provide materials such as paper, markers, stickers, and glitter for them to get creative. This concept allows guests to express their creativity and personalize their cards.
DIY Photo Booth
Set up a DIY photo booth with a colorful backdrop, balloons, and props. Encourage guests to take fun and memorable photos throughout the party. This concept provides entertainment and allows guests to capture special moments.
DIY Heart Shirts
Engage your guests with a DIY project by having them design heart-shaped patterns on white shirts using fabric paint. This concept is a fun and creative activity that guests can enjoy during the party and wear afterward.
Karaoke Party
Put everyone's singing skills to the test with a karaoke party. Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app and create a playlist of romantic tunes. This concept adds a lively and entertaining element to your celebration.
Valentine's Day Costumes
Spice up your party by having guests come dressed in red, pink, and white attire. Encourage them to wear Valentine's Day-themed costumes like giant heart costumes or Cupid suits. This concept adds a festive touch and creates a fun atmosphere.
Smash a Heart Piñata
Celebrate love by incorporating a heart-shaped piñata into your party. Fill it with heart-shaped candies and let your guests have a go at breaking it open. This concept adds excitement and a playful element to your celebration.
DIY Valentine's Wreath Making
Engage your guests in a wreath-making activity using Valentine's Day-themed materials. Provide inspiration and materials for them to create their own wreaths to take home. This concept allows guests to showcase their creativity and take home a personalized decoration.
Heart Wall Art
Decorate your space with heart-shaped wall art made from red, pink, and white paper hearts. You can also incorporate small-sized pictures of your family and friends to create a large heart collage. This concept adds a personalized and festive touch to your party.
Decorate With Heart Balloons
Use heart-shaped balloons to decorate your party space. The right color and shape of balloons can create a colorful and romantic atmosphere. This concept adds a whimsical and festive touch to your celebration.
Valentine's Heart Pizza
Order heart-shaped pizzas for your guests or set up a DIY pizza station where guests can customize their own heart-shaped pies. Provide a variety of toppings like pepperoni and veggies for them to choose from. This concept adds a delicious and interactive element to your party.
V-Day Themed Brunch
Host a Valentine's Day-themed brunch with a variety of delicious meals. Incorporate colorful co*cktails like strawberry shortcake mimosas to add a festive touch. This concept allows guests to enjoy a relaxed and indulgent meal with their loved ones.
Paint and Sip Party
Host a paint and sip party where guests can enjoy drinks while creating their own artwork. Provide acrylic paint sets and easels for everyone to use. This concept combines creativity and relaxation for a fun and interactive experience.
Secret Cupid Gift Swap
Organize a Secret Cupid gift swap where guests are assigned someone to offer a gift to. Set a spending limit and encourage guests to start shopping. During the party, gifts are exchanged one by one, creating a joyful and interactive atmosphere.
Fondue Night
Host a fondue night with cheese fondue for dinner and chocolate fondue for dessert. Provide a variety of dippable items like bread, fruits, and marshmallows. This concept adds a delicious and interactive element to your party.
Personalized Goodie Bags
Give out personalized goodie bags to your guests as a way to thank them for attending. You can also invite guests to create their own goodie bags using a variety of treats and small gifts. This concept adds a thoughtful and personalized touch to your party.
Wine Swap
Plan a wine swap party where guests bring their favorite bottle of wine to share with others. Pair the wines with flavorful hors d'oeuvres for a festive celebration. This concept allows everyone to discover new wines and enjoy delicious pairings.
Take Polaroid Photos
Capture special moments at your party with a Polaroid camera. Print photos instantly and display them on a wall for everyone to see. This concept allows guests to take home physical memories of the event.
Valentine's Day Temporary Tattoos
Add a nostalgic touch to your party with Valentine's Day-themed temporary tattoos. Provide a variety of designs for guests to choose from. This concept adds a playful and temporary way to celebrate the occasion.
These are just a few of the many ideas and concepts you can incorporate into your Valentine's Day party. Remember to personalize your event based on your guests' preferences and create an atmosphere of love and celebration.
