Leslie Knope described Galentine’s Day best– it’s all about ladies celebratin’ ladies. I wouldn’t be who I am without the wonderful women in my life, and I love carving out one day a year just to say thanks. Maybe I’m getting old, but one of my favorite things about my group of friends is that we all prefer simple nights in to wild nights out. It gives us time to laugh, catch up, and just be ourselves. Over time, I’ve learned that, single or taken, old or young(er), makeup or no makeup, there’s something so special about being comfortable with your true self around your best friends. That’s why I decided to host a laid-back Galentine’s Day party at home this year, complete with a chocolate fondue bar and custom gift boxes filled with some of my favorite skin treats from Simple. Keep reading for the full party spread!

How to Host the Perfect Fondue Party

What’s a party without dessert?! I absolutely love entertaining, but the less work that’s required, the better. That’s what makes a DIY fondue bar an ideal option. Just whip up some dark and white chocolate fondue (I’ve found that simply melting dark and white chocolate wafers works perfectly) and assemble a yummy Galentine’s Day dessert board complete with fresh fruit and all your friends’ favorite dessert fondue dippers. Here’s a quick shopping list to help you get started:

• White and dark melting wafers
• Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, apples, clementines, pineapples, blackberries, raspberries, and/or blueberries)
• Sweet and savory dessert fondue dippers (marshmallows, pretzels, rice krispies treats, brownie bites, and/or pound cake)
• Fondue forks or skewer sticks
• Fresh flowers for decor

The best part about hosting a fondue party? You can prepare your DIY dessert board and fruit platter days in advance. Once the party rolls around, all you’ve gotta do is heat up the chocolate morsels, and you’re ready to go! 

Also, when it comes to Galentine’s Day decor, fresh fragrant flowers go a long way! Pick up a bunch of different bold and colorful blooms for your gift box bouquets and centerpieces. Some of my favorites are hyacinths, tuberoses, garden roses, spray roses, carnations, and alstroemerias aka Peruvian lilies. Seeded eucalyptus is gorgeous, too!

Oh, and if your tablescape needs a little extra something, don’t run out and buy more food or decor. Just put some colorful Galentine’s Day gift boxes on display (cute Galentine’s Day gift box idea below)! Even the tiniest bouquets can help brighten the spread right up.

Cute Galentine’s Day Gift Box Idea

Every party needs favors! I love giving gifts, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect time to organize something special for all my girlfriends at once. So many of them are crazy busy, so this year I chose sweet little gift boxes filled with cozy pick-me-ups, like tiny custom bouquets, wine, aromatherapy candles, and two of my favorite “holy grail” skincare products– Simple Micellar Cleansing Water and Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.

If you’ve never tried them before, Simple Micellar Cleansing Water and Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes make it so easy to clean your face and remove your makeup just about anywhere. Neither product requires water nor rinsing, so they’re ideal for setting a relaxed, makeup-free mood. Also, now through February 16th, both these Simple skincare gems are Buy One Get One 50% off at CVS!

I’ve been carrying Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes in my bag as long as I can remember. In fact, they’ve proven to be particularly useful in the airport and at the gym. These facial wipes remove impurities and even the most stubborn makeup, including dreaded water-proof mascara, without any need to rinse your face afterwards. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water is another one of my long-time holy grail skincare favorites, and it gets rid of dirt and impurities, unclogs pores, and leaves skin instantly hydrated… all without rinsing. 

Honestly, though, what I love most about Simple skincare is that their products are just that– simple. They’re hypoallergenic, pH balanced, and Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, even for use on especially sensitive skin like mine, so I never have to worry about potential break-outs or rashes. And, because they’re designed for all skin types, they make pretty awesome gifts, too!

Flower Tip: Be sure to wrap the stems in wet paper or cloth, cover with a waterproof bag, and secure with rubber bands. This will help keep them fresh while out of water. 

Regardless of your plans, I’m sending each and every one of y’all a virtual hug this Galentine’s Day! Whether you’re spending your night on the town or hanging out at home with your pup, I hope that you’re surrounded by love and laughter. Why? Because you’re awesome, and you deserve it. Happy Galentine’s Day, y’all!

Today’s post is sponsored by Mirum. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Diary of a Debutante possible!

Photography by Catherine Rhodes