Here’s How to Throw a Super Cute Valentine’s Day Party Worthy of the ’Gram

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Hot take: Valentine’s Day parties are vastly underrated. Forget a romantic dinner for two at a snooty restaurant! Throw a rager (or, like, a fun lil brunch) with your entire friend group instead. Go all out with decorations and give each other homemade valentines (!). Throw in a few themed cocktails too, and you’ve got a soiree that rivals any other. After all, V-Day is a time to celebrate all love—which is def an excuse to have a party with your BFFs. (Your boo can come too, of course.)

The hidden lil bonus about all this? Valentine’s Day is such an aesthetically pleasing holiday. There’s the red and the pink and the chocolate and a very good reason to bring back rosé season early. It honestly makes me wonder why there aren’t more V-Day parties happening every year. This is a missed opportunity, people! It’s time to embrace the cheesy, lovey-dovey feels and put these 37 snazzy Valentine’s Day party ideas to good use.

Go ahead and scroll through for some fun party-planning tips that will make your V-Day bash the envy of the newsfeed.

1. Send some sexy-ass invites.

Get your crew psyched with all the deets on your festive event. You could make it super cute and go the snail-mail route. Or if you’re looking for something more immediate, then a perfectly designed digital invite sent straight to their emails could be just the choice for you.

Instant Download Valentine's Day Party Invitation

Cookies and Cocktails Invitations

Classic Heart Virtual E-vite

Gold Confetti Invitations

Classic Heart Virtual E-Vite

Gold Confetti Invitations

Party Hearty

Palm Celebration Invitations

Boogie on Down

Margarita Invitations

Cookies and Cocktails Invitations

2. Plan a fun party game.

Yes, talking sh*t is a sport, but change things up with this card game that might make you laugh so hard you pee a little.

3. Get the drinks ready.

Whip up an easy Valentine’s Day cocktail recipe for your party guests or keep it simple and just grab yourself a nice bottle of whiskey, wine, or alcohol-free spirits. (Yes, those exist!)

1856 Premium Aged Whiskey

Rosé 2020

Rose 2019

Livener

Sparkling Fall Release Single

Resposado Tequila

4. Prep a cute lil craft.

All good soirees have a fun activity—which can totally mean doing a V-Day craft. (They’re not just for kids, okay?) Make each other some DIY cards! Once cocktails get passed around, people are bound to get creative.

DIY Charm-Bracelet-Making Kit

300 Paper Die-Cut Hearts

Sharpie Permanent Markers

DIY Valentine Card Craft Kit

5. Set up a romantic movie room.

For guests who just want a moment away from the chatter (or couples who want a sec to snug), a movie room is the perf addition to any party. Throw on a romantic film, dim the lights, and give the partygoers a place to relax.

Mini Projector

Projector Screen

Theater-Style Popcorn Popper Machine

Popcorn Boxes

6. Do some fortune telling.

Friends of any relationship status can enjoy this gorgeously illustrated deck of future-revealing tarot cards. (Or amp up the ~sexy vibes~ with an erotically themed deck instead.)

The Cosmo Tarot: The Ultimate Deck and Guidebook

Erotic Tarot of Manara

The Modern Witch Tarot Deck

Materia Prima Tarot Cards

7. Make some fancy cubes.

Those not imbibing (or those who just want a vodka soda) are gonna need some ice. Fill your bucket with these rosy cubes. To make them, pluck the petals from two or three roses and add them to a basic tray, filling it halfway with distilled water before you pop the whole thing in the freezer. After a few hours, fill the rest of the tray with more H2O, then freeze again so the petals sit smack dab in the center when it comes time to serve.

Get the recipe at HelloFresh.

8. Set up a DIY photo booth.

Now’s the time to use that random spare wall in your apartment. Set up an Insta-worthy backdrop by covering a wall with glitter-foil and other festive items. Order some uh-mazing on-brand props and balloons, and snap and share.

“Love” Balloon

A Gold Foil Love Balloon

The Cutest Photo Booth Props

Shiny As Hell Foil Fringe

Party Photo Backdrop

Balloon Garland Kit

A Festive Banner

9. Come dressed on theme.

I’m not saying you gotta show up to your own party dressed in lingerie—but I’m certainly not stopping you if you feel like wearing something a lil special under your party clothes. Aside from lace frills and strappy garments, there’s a slew of other V-Day-themed ’fits you could get all gussied up in.

Cotton Essentials Bralette

Kimono

Candy Hearts Dotted Mesh Halter Crop Cami

Satin Long PJ Set

Cap-Sleeve Strappy Babydoll

Petite Heart Print Frill Hem PJ Short Set

Plus Red D-Ring Detail Thigh Split Satin Nightie

CLF Fluff’d Up Slippers

10. Seal your party favors with a kiss.

After the party, you could send everyone a quick thank-you text. Or you could get really cute with it and mail each attendee a sweet postcard, complete with a very Valentine’s Day lipstick print right next to your signature.

Retro Matte Lipstick

Major Beauty Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick

Contour & Strobe Liquid Lip Set

Mini Divine Rose Lip Set Trio

Be Legendary Matte Lipstick

Black Magic Carnival Metallic Lipstick in Trinidad

Blank Cards Ready For Smacking

Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick

Blank Plain White 4x6 Postcards

All Day Liquid Lipstick

11. Have a little spa day.

Self-love is the best kind of love. So why not give your party a "treat yourself" theme and curate a relaxing mini oasis? Set up a mani/pedi station, have a massage gun ready, and maybe even light some candles to *really* set the scene.

Otherland Candle in Chandelier

Essential Glass Beverage Dispenser with Infuser

Parachute Home Classic Bathrobe

Faux Fur Slingback Sandal

12. Do a "secret cupid" gift exchange.

Gift swap parties shouldn't be reserved for December! Have your guests bring a small token that falls under an agreed-upon price limit. Then, once your guests arrive, put everyone's name in a hat, and whoever you draw gets your present!

13. Bake and decorate!

This is the holiday where people with a sweet tooth thrive. Exactly why it's the perfect opportunity for a baking party. If you don't want to bake something from scratch, you could opt to decorate pre-made cookies, or ice some cupcakes instead.

Valentine's Day Heart Cookie Cutter Set

Valentine's Day Cupcake Liner

Valentine's Day Baking Decoration

Heart Cupcake Mold Tray

14. Host a classy dinner party.

Obviously "dinner for two" is the most steadily established V-Day idea of all time. Let's take it up a notch with "dinner for [insert # of invitees here]." Design a cute menu, create a Valentine's Day-themed tablescape, and make sure you tell your guests to dress to impress. This will make for a great photo op and IRL experience.

Valentines Day Table Runners

Artificial Rose Petals and Candles

Red Felt Garland

Gold Plastic Silverware

15. Make flower bouquets.

Sure, receiving a bouquet is "nice" and all (OK, it's actually really cute and I get emotional every time, I can't even downplay it), but making bouquets with your friends? New levels of all the feels, truly. Plus, it's an engaging party activity with a gorgeous outcome! For your stem supply, have everyone bring a bouquet of a specific type of flowers so that they can add them to the main pile. Make sure to have butcher paper and cute ribbons present as well!

16. Create candles together.

This is another cool, creative endeavor for your group. Just order a couple of candle-making kits and V-Day decor! At the end, you and your guests will have sweet-smelling candles ready to use on your own or gift to a loved one.

17. Make appreciation slideshows.

"Slideshow nights" are all the rage on TikTok, and for a good reason. Everyone comes with a hilarious presentation on a specific subject prepared, and in the spirit of V-Day, your subject should be Bestie Appreciation. You can include little-known facts, favorite memories, the works. You know this'll cause some happy tears to flow.

18. Do a wine swap.

Here's a low-stakes activity that will get the party going. Have everyone bring their favorite bottle and wrap it up nicely, then place it on a table as they arrive. From there, every guest can pick a random bottle to keep (or pop open then and there, because why the hell not?).

19. Have a fun sleepover.

The party should never end! Embrace your inner giggly teen and turn the shindig into an overnight affair. Make the dress code matching PJs to really take things a step further.

The Satin PJs

Cami Sleepwear Set

So Good Fluffy Slippers

Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask

Silk Sleep Mask

Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter Popcorn Tub, Pack of 12

Movie Theater Butter Popcorn Tub

20. Write platonic love letters.

Corny? Yes. Heartwarming? Yes—with emphasis. Penning each other professions of love on cute stationery is the perfect way to honor both your friends and the season. Extra points if you've got anyone with cool calligraphy skills in your group.

21. Whip up a few on-theme bevvies.

Sure, you can have regular ol' cocktails during your V-Day cele, but that would be boring as hell. Shake things up with a delicious and very vivid red libation instead. You'll need:

• 1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco or Casamigos Reposado Tequila

• .75 oz fresh lime juice

• .75 strawberry purée

• 4 basil leaves

Put all your ingredients in a cocktail shaker and give the basil a muddle. Throw in some ice, shake it like a polaroid picture, then strain into a hot little glass. For extra razzle dazzle, create tiny strawberry heart garnishes with a small heart-shaped cookie cutter. Et voilà!

22. Set up some mood lighting.

It's all about the ambiance, y'all. So, for your V-Day soiree, invest in some heart-shaped string lights to hang in the space and set the mood.

23. Order heart-shaped pizzas.

Around this time of the year, nationwide chains like Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and California Pizza Kitchen offer heart-shaped pies during the week of V-Day. If you'd rather DIY, shape your pizza dough in a heart-shaped tin for precision purposes!

24. Keep the fondue on deck.

I don't care who you are, there's something about a fondue machine that gets everybody excited. Whether it's got cheese for the savory folks or chocolate for the sweet-toothers, a dip fountain can and will elevate any event.

25. Have heart-shaped fruit and veggie platters.

If you want to get really festive, place your mini bites in heart-shaped serving trays. Why take on the Valentine's Day theme if you're not going to committ? Even the appetizers should feel the love!

26. Order custom candy hearts.

Ready for the cutest goodie bag idea? Send your guest home with branded candy. You can order personalized hearts online and get them to say "[Your Name's] V-Day Party," funny inside jokes, or whatever your heart desires (pun intended hehe).

27. Make bracelets.

Ah, friendship bracelets. A time-honored tradition. They're essentially platonic engagement rings if you think about it, so it's only right that you and your crew make them for each other at your party.

28. Set up a lovey-dovey playlist.

Build a collaborative playlist on Spotify! All of your partygoers can add their fave romantic tunes, and each of you gets a chance to play DJ for the night.

29. Get some karaoke going.

No need for stellar vocals! Just a karaoke machine and a setlist of popular throwback tunes to please your adoring fans (aka your friends). No activity will bond a group more.

30. Do a scavenger hunt.

Now, is this the first activity that pops into your head when you think of Valentine's Day? Probably not. But you can make it a whole thing with candy prizes and V-Day-themed riddles, and with one these printable clues available online!

31. Play rom-com charades.

Forget about regular charades. Test your group's essential rom-com knowledge with a few rounds of charades specifically focused on the classic movies in this genre. If the performances are particularly tragic, you'll know it's time to make the night a movie marathon instead.

32. Play Prosecco pong!

It's literally just beer pong, but prettier. Clear a table, pop open your bubbly, and get your game faces ready.

33. Hand out accessories to wear.

When you look around the room and see your friends dripped out in heart headbands and cupid wings, you'll thank me. The V-day dress-up opportunities are vast, so stock up on the cutest options and have your guests model them all night.

Valentines Day Heart Head Boppers

Valentines Day Headband

Angel Wings

Valentine's Day Party Necklace

34. Distribute disposable cameras.

These are great for capturing memories throughout the night. By making every one of your guests participate, the event pics that you develop will have a wide range of ~artistic visions~ and perspectives. That's exactly the kind of variety we like to see!

35. Play Guess Who?

Times like these are when you should get to know your buds. Have everybody write down random fun facts about themselves on pieces of paper, and then go around in a circle drawing them from a hat. Whoever guesses the most correctly gets best friend bragging rights.

36. Have a paint and sip.

Nothing gives grown and hot like lighting a candle, pouring a glass of wine, and engaging in the peaceful art form that is painting.

37. Host a romance-novel book reading.

Okay, is this a bit nerdy? You bet your bottom dollar. However! All the bibliophiles will swoon over this, and you might get some new recs for your TBR list while you're at it. Have each party guest bring their favorite romance novel and read a passage from it. Prep some discussion questions or have the person share why that part of the story means so much to them. This can also be done with love poems too! Please, by all means, geek the hell out.

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