Galentines for Six
The first time that I heard the term “Galentines” was on a Parks and Recreation rerun around 2012. I had unknowingly been celebrating this holiday for years before, having been single up until 2011. Valentines to me had always been about seeing my best girlfriends. Plus eating chocolate, drinking wine and spoiling myself, naturally. I have relished in the company of women for as long as I can remember. Never did I mutter the phrase “I’m not like other girls” (as if there is something shameful about being a woman!). I love equally the common ground that I can discover and the differences that I can grow from. It’s as important as ever that we build each other up, celebrate and support each other.
This year I organized a private 3 course lunch in my home with some local entrepreneurs. Some that I’d been wanting to connect with and some that I know well. It didn’t take too long before our sophisticated setting became the back drop to busted guts, hilarious anecdotes, dirty jokes and shared secrets. We came in as relative strangers and left as new friends… with future engagements all lined up.
My beautiful guests Karin, Emily, Jess, Addy and Jacklyn kindly shared their photos with me since I was only able to grab a handful of them. Check out their accounts for more inspiration!
If you want to print your own place setting Love Quote Cards, click my free download that I designed for the event. I used a special order textured paper at my local print shop. Print to the size of your required use!
Planning Tips
I schedule myself accordingly:
7 days in advance: Choose recipes. Pick ones that you have made and “mastered”. Keep it simple. Be certain of each guests’ dietary restrictions. For lunch, I like to open with a soup or salad (either can be prepared in advance), a main and a dessert (also can be prepared in advance).
6 days in advance: Set your mood. Decide on theme/decor (plates, cutlery, napkins, florals, etc) and create your playlist.
3 days in advance: Deep clean. Flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, dusting.
2 days in advance: Grocery shop.
1 day in advance: Begin set up. Prepare any food you can in advance (for example, I made this soup the night before and reheated the day-of). I use this time to set out every single ingredient that I need to make sure that I’m not missing any (I realized I had used the last of the garlic and forgot to replace, so I had time to get to the store the day before the event).
Day of: Wake up early. Prepare your outfit,
Hosting Tips
Refreshments. Have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available
Nibble station. Have a crudité, charcuterie or cheese board on the counter. Your guests may arrive after a busy day and a skipped meal. Your planning might not have been timed as well as you hoped and dinner could be delayed an hour. Make sure it isn’t so heavy that they’ll fill up. Just enough to satiate!
Wine. If your guest asks what they can bring, make it easy on them and let them know which bottle of wine would pair best with your meal (this takes the pressure off of them).
Remember the details. Stage your bathroom nicely. Light a candle, freshen the linens, wipe down the soap dispenser. Ensure the butter is room temperature for the table.
Conversation. Make sure each guest has an opportunity to speak up. Prompt topics that you know would be of interest to each guest. Consider current events and headlines. I have a few “table topic” style games. We used The Skin Deeps {THE AND} Strangers Edition.
Nothing says “I care” quite like opening your home and heart to friends and treating them to some home cooking. People will notice the effort you’ve put in and feel the warmth of your hospitality, no matter what your ‘experience’ level may be. Don’t over extend yourself or attempt more than what is in your comfort zone. You aren’t trying to outdo anyone. It’s important for you to relax and enjoy your guests’ company. Nothing will make them feel more uncomfortable than a host that is frazzled and spending most of the event in the kitchen alone.
I encourage you to organize a gathering of women you know well, want to know better, or someone you know deserves to feel special, heard and appreciated.
Scroll down for sources. Happy planning!
SHOP THIS POST
Wine generously provided by Sandhill Wines
Recipes from Cannelle et Vanilla
Florals by Bezaire Event and Floral Design
