The only thing better than brunch is boozy brunch with all your girlfriends! I wrote about this in another post, but this time last year was pretty rough for my family. I spent almost six weeks in Florida for a family medical emergency, and yeah… it wasn’t fun. I got home just before Galentine’s Day, and celebrating just wasn’t a priority. So, long story short, I went a little overboard this year and put together an entire Galentine’s Day brunch (complete with a DIY flower bar). This was my first time attempting to assemble a balloon arch while baking multiple mini desserts simultaneously, so I wanted to share some tips and tricks (and recipes!) for hosting a stress-free Galentine’s Day brunch with y’all in today’s post. Keep reading for a handful of (hopefully) helpful Galentine’s Day brunch ideas!

But first… we should get down to basics. I did a little SEO research and found out that a lot of internet users don’t know what Galentine’s Day actually is. So, here’s some background info–

What is Galentine’s Day?

First and foremost, we need to address what Galentine’s Day actually is. To put it succinctly, “It’s only the best day of the year!” Leslie Knope (from Parks and Recreation) said that. She pretty much single-handedly invented the holiday, too. 

More specifically, though, it’s all about ladies celebrating ladies. Here’s how Leslie describes it– “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and just come and kick it breakfast-style.” So, basically, it’s a girls-only brunch with lots of waffles and cocktails whose purpose is to empower women. 

Galentine’s Day Brunch Ideas

A successful Galentine’s Day brunch can be simple or elaborate as you like. If you really want to organize something but don’t have the time or resources to cook/decorate/host, reserve a table at your favorite brunch spot. As long as your girlfriends are there, it’s all the same! If you do want to host your own, though, here are some ideas for how to decorate and what to put on your Galentine’s Day brunch menu– 

What to Serve

Here’s everything I included on my Galentine’s Day brunch menu–

• Mini Heart-Shaped Waffles– I used this Dash waffle maker to whip up two dozen mini heart waffles. I wound up using Dash’s recommended waffle recipe, too, and they were delicious! I also wanted to get at least some protein on the table, so I added bacon strips. Other great options are chicken tenders and fried eggs!
• Mini Coffee Bundt Cakes– I love everything about coffee cake, so I thought it’d be fun to adapt my recipe into a mini bundt cake version. I used this mini bundt pan to create the fun swirl design. Recipe coming soon!
• Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes– These mini strawberry cheesecakes take a few tries to get right. Still, even if the consistency isn’t quite what you hoped, they taste amazing, and the filling literally melts in your mouth. Recipe coming soon!
• Strawberry Frose– I know, I know. It’s a bold move replacing mimosas with strawberry frose. Still, everyone loved it, and I have no regrets. Just to be safe, though, I also had champagne on hand (ha)!

How to Decorate

In my mind, Galentine’s Day decorations are bright and bold! Think lots of different shades of pinks and metallics. Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly Galentine’s Day decorating ideas–

1. Build an Instagram-friendly balloon arch.

I’ve actually never assembled a balloon arch before, so this was particularly fun for me. And for me, I mean Kyle. 

I bought this balloon arch kit from Amazon, and it took all the guess work out of the whole potential construction debacle. It turns out my ceiling (this space is a converted attic) isn’t actually tall enough for a full arch, so we outlined the doorway and then put the leftover balloons under the table.

2. Utilize books/music/art from your favorite female authors. 

Whenever I create party spreads, I like to create dimension by varying plates, dishes, and florals at different heights. It looks nice and makes food and drinks easier to access. I wanted to pull in some more extra of pink, so instead of using crates or boxes (which are usually my default), I used stacked books from some of my favorite female icons/authors. Here are the four I used on the table–

• Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
• Pizzazzerie: Entertain in Style by Courtney Whitmore
• It by Alexa Chung
• All in Good Taste by Kate Spade

Also, I recommend to create a “Girl Power” playlist on Spotify to curate all your favorite uplifting songs from female artists. PS- If it isn’t already clear, I was born in the late 80s and heavily influenced by the Spice Girls. 

3. Go heavy on the florals. 

Flowers can brighten up any party space. It’s also nice to let your guests leave with flowers and/or arrangements, too. If you aren’t particularly confident in your flower arranging skills, create your own DIY Flower Bar instead!

Also, I know flowers are expensive– and if you’re anything like me, you’re not working with a My Super Sweet 16 budget. So, if florals don’t fit in your budget, here are three ways to add floral touches without buying flowers–

• Create your own paper flowers. Just search for templates online!
• Turn your favorite houseplants into centerpieces. 
• Hang floral photos on the wall. 

Candy bouquets are a fun alternative, too, although they can be just as expensive as a couple dozen flowers from the grocery store. 

More Galentine’s Party Ideas

Galentine’s Day isn’t confined to brunch, although Leslie Knope would argue that waffles are mandatory. Waffles aside, here are some other fun Galentine’s party ideas–

• Fondue Dessert Bar– If you’re not able to host brunch, a fondue dessert bar is a great alternative for later on in the day. All you need is melted chocolate (I love this little mini fondue set, although it’s not necessary), fresh fruit, and some bite-sized desserts to create a full-blown spread!
• DIY Flower Bar– Put out some fresh flowers, ribbon, vases, and a few other little touches and allow guests to create their own bouquets! This is also a perfect bridal shower activity, too. 

 
How are you celebrating Galentine’s Day this year? Any fun plans?? 

Also, as always, please let me know if you have questions about any of these Galentine’s Day brunch ideas and/or recipes. I love hearing from y’all, and I’m happy to help! 

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