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While many Valentine's Day quotes and gift guides for the holiday focus on romantic love, it's also an occasion for you to show some love to your family and friends. You can buy them gifts or share fun trivia, memes, and Valentine's Day puns with them. Another way to spread the love is with a festive Valentine's Day party. Whether you make it a girls-only Galentine's Day party or an all-out bash, it's sure to be a fun time. And with these Valentine's Day party ideas, you'll have everything you need to make it happen.
Some of these ideas are low-key, like a Valentine's Day-themed movie night at home with a few pals and some popcorn. Others, like a Valentine's Day brunch or cocktail party can be bigger events if you want them to be. We've even included Valentine's Day parties that involve presents, because everyone loves Valentine's Day gifts from friends! If that doesn't catch your fancy, then maybe you'd like to get creative with a craft party or card-making party. And while some of these parties, like a wine swap, are just for adults, there are plenty of ideas for kid-friendly Valentine's Day parties as well.
Whatever your style, there's sure to be a perfect Valentine's Day party idea here for you.
1. Spa Day Party
Treat your friends to a little pampering with a Valentine's Day spa day. You can book yourselves in at a local spa for massages and facials, or do an at-home version with clay masks, aromatherapy oils, and luxe robes for everyone.
2. Valentine's Day Brunch Party
Who doesn't love brunch? Grab an adorable heart-shaped waffle maker and set up a mimosa bar. And if you need some more brunch recipe ideas, we've got plenty!
3. Movie Night Party
A Valentine's Day movie night is the perfect low-key celebration. Romantic movies, popcorn, and candy are sure to be a winning combination for any party.
Stir Crazy Popcorn Machine
Hershey's Kisses Pink Foils
4. Dinner Party
Keep it classic this year with a Valentine's Day dinner party. You can whip up an elegant meal yourself or make it a potluck where everyone brings something. Set the table with flowers, candles, and pink wine glasses for a festive, romantic feel.
5. Wine Swap Party
A few bottles of your "house wine" to sip and some Valentine's Day snacks will make this a fun event for everyone. People can bring a bottle of their favorite vino to trade — usually, the idea is everyone takes a bottle home, but we won't blame you if you decide to crack some open with your guests.
6. Photo Booth Party
One way to make a V-Day party memorable? A themed photo booth, of course! Grab some props and a Polaroid camera and let people get funny.
7. Baking Party
Get your friends together and tackle some fun Valentine's Day baking projects. Whether you make cookies, cupcakes, chocolates, or other treats, this party idea is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
8. Charcuterie Board Party
What better way to celebrate the holiday than with charcuterie boards? Have everyone assemble a charcuterie board and bring it over — you can even assign everyone a separate theme, like a sweet charcuterie board or a French-inspired charcuterie board. Don't forget to grab a customized cheese platter!
Beauty & The Board Cheese & Charcuterie Board Kit
9. Cocktail Party
You can't go wrong with a cocktail party. Mix up a big batch of your signature drink and make it into a Valentine's Day-themed bash with heart-shaped straws and pink cups.
10. Chocolate Party
If we're being honest, Valentine's Day is basically all about the chocolate. So get into the spirit with chocolate bars, hot chocolate, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and anything else you can think of.
11. Pink Party
A fun and easy party theme will always be committing to one color — and then going all in! For Valentine's Day, a pink party is perfect. Get some pink party decorations, novelty glasses, cups... you get the idea.
12. Heart-Shaped Everything Party
If you don't want to go all in on one color, how about one shape? Get creative and see how many heart-shaped snacks you can make for this party (like this heart-shaped pepperoni pizza dip). Then get your heart-shaped napkins and heart-shaped decorations ready to go.
13. Pizza Party
Remember the days of pizza parties? Bring it back for Valentine's Day this year. Whether you take a DIY approach or order delivery is up to you.
John's of Bleecker Street New York Style Pizza Sampler 4-Pack
14. Game Night Party
Let your competitive side shine by hosting a Valentine's Day game night. Stick with a classic like Taboo or try something new and different.
...I should have known that! Trivia Game
15. Valentine's Card-Making Party
This is one both kids and adults will enjoy. Get everyone together, grab your art supplies, and let everyone make their own special valentines for the people they love.
16. "Donut" Go Breaking My Heart Party
Who doesn't love donuts? Make this the theme of your Valentine's Day party this year, and order in from a local donut shop or take a DIY approach with a mini donut maker machine. Don't forget the sprinkles!
17. Fondue Party
Melty cheese? Check. Gooey chocolate? Check. What could be more perfect for Valentine's Day than that? This set comes with six color-coded forks, perfect for a small party with your nearest and dearest.
18. Paint and Sip Party
Paint and sip parties have become popular in the last few years. You can see if there's a paint-and-sip place near you, where you and your friends will be guided by an artist as you paint. Or you can grab some canvases, paints, and wine and do it all at home.
19. Valentine's Day Costume Party
Who says costumes are just for Halloween? For a fun Valentine's Day twist, have everyone dress as their favorite character from a romantic movie or TV show.
20. Valentine's Day Craft Party
Lucky for you, we've got plenty of ideas for kid-friendly Valentine's Day crafts! Dig into your craft closet for supplies or order glitter, stamps, paper, and other supplies from Amazon before the big day.
21. Gift Swap Party
For a gift swap party, you'll decide on a certain spending limit and then have everyone bring an affordable Valentine's Day gift to the party. You can either make it a White Elephant gift exchange or plan it more like a Secret Santa exchange.
22. Karaoke Party
If your friend group isn't afraid to belt some tunes, a karaoke party could be a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Sing your favorite love songs or your favorite breakup songs in honor of the holiday. Grab a karaoke mic or two and turn to YouTube for your lyric videos.
23. Favorite Things Party
If you've never hosted or been to a favorite things party, it's time to change that! Basically, everyone brings one of their favorite things — like a holy-grail lipgloss, a candle that smells amazing, incredible chocolate chip cookies from a certain bakery, and so on — and gets to tell everyone why they love it. Then, people get to take someone else's favorite thing! You can either let people decide which items they want, or draw names so it's random.
Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
24. Pajama Party
Remember how much fun pajama parties were when you were a teenager? Bring it back this year for Valentine's Day! Have everyone come over in their PJs and relax with a movie, pizza, or whatever else you feel like.
25. Tea Party
Celebrate Valentine's Day with an elegant tea party. A pot of tea, some finger sandwiches, and good company is really all you need to make it happen.
26. Mani-Pedi Party
Pamper yourself with a mani-pedi party this Valentine's Day. In some cities, you might be able to book a manicurist to come to your house, or you can head to the salon. You can also gather up your nail polish collection and DIY it! If you do go this route, make sure all the tools are thoroughly sanitized between uses.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
