It’s almost that time of year when cute couples make the rest of us feel very single, and some of us heartbroken besties just wish the day didn’t exist. That’s right, I’m talking about Valentine’s Day. Love will be in the air whether you’re booed up or not, so instead of getting in your feels (though that’s completely valid, too), why not make the most of it? Even though Valentine’s Day is primarily celebrated by couples, it’s important for friends to share their love for each other as well — platonic love is just as important as romantic love, after all. Our friends are the ones who are there for us even when we are at our worst, so if you want to dedicate Feb. 14 to them this year, I’ve got you! Here are 13 Valentine’s Day activities to do with your besties if you’d rather spend the day of love with them.
Whether you plan on spending the day indoors or outdoors, there are countless ways to make this Galentine’s Day the best one yet. These activities don’t have to be costly or over the top. Instead, they are just simple and cute ideas that will ensure both you and your friends have an amazing time together.
- Do a karaoke night.
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I’ll be the first to admit that neither my friends nor I are the best singers, but when our karaoke sessions start, every other artist gets quiet. Hosting a karaoke night would definitely be fun, and would have you losing your voice from either laughing, singing, or both. So project some lyrics onto a wall or play them from a screen, and sing your heart out with the ones you love the most.
- Have a picnic.
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Indoor or not, picnics are a fun way to eat well and relax with your friends. Have everyone in the group bring a snack or dish to share, as this will make sure that there’s enough food to go around. During the picnic, you can catch up with your friends, spill tea, or do fun activities like arts and crafts.
- Host a gift exchange.
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If gift-giving is your love language, then invite your friends to do a secret Valentine’s Day gift exchange with you. Each of you will get assigned a random name from the friend group who you have to surprise with a gift you think they’ll love. Then you will all exchange the gifts together. This is a great way to bond and see how well you know your friends’ tastes.
- Have a galentine’s Day party.
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Lately, I’ve been seeing people buying the cutest pink and white decor for their Galentine’s Day parties. This event doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Instead, you can have your friends over, set up cute table settings, play music, eat food, and just vibe together.
- Bake Goods together.
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This is for all the people with sweet tooths out there. Baked goods make the heart grow fonder, in my opinion, so why not spend the day of love eating homemade cookies and cakes with your besties? Eating desserts that you’ve made with other people always hits different, so be sure to try it out this Valentine’s Day.
- Have a paint-and-sip session.
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Whether it’s a cocktail or mocktail, having a relaxing paint-and-sip session can feel like the stress relief you didn’t know you needed. Buy some canvases, brushes, paints, and drinks, and allow your creativity to shine while you sip your drink and chat with friends.
- Host a movie marathon.
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So many romance movies have come out recently that you’ve probably yet to watch. Spending the day indoors together and catching up on these films back-to-back might be just what you need on this day.
- Go on a group dinner date.
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Dress up in your fanciest clothes and go to a nice restaurant with your friends. While there, take pictures, eat good food, and share with each other just how much you value each others’ friendship.
- Have a spa day.
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You can never go wrong with a group spa day, honestly. Whether you’re making DIY face masks or making appointments with the professionals, having a self-care day with your favorites might be a relaxing and fun idea to try!
- Set up a love-themed photo shoot.
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I love setting up backdrops and taking cute pictures of my friends. All you have to do is plan the theme of the photo shoot, buy or make the backdrop and props, and snap away. No fancy camera required!
- Make a heart-shaped homemade pizza.
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Homemade pizzas are the best. My Pinterest feed has been filled with cute heart-shaped pizzas, and I’ve been spamming my friends with the different kinds we can make. If this sounds like your thing, give it a try! Who doesn’t love yummy food in a cute shape?
- Go romance book shopping.
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As a certified bookaholic, this option is the one that gets me the most excited. Though I’m typically a lover of mystery and thriller books, I’m willing to set that preference aside mid-February. Especially if that means I’ll get to go shopping for books again! If you love books, too, you should definitely try this out — or to make it more fun, you and your friends could choose romance books for each other rather than buying a book for yourselves.
- Take a craft class.
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Sometimes, staying at home can get a bit boring. If you want something fun that requires you to be on your feet and get creative, I’d recommend taking a pottery, painting, or craft class that appeals to you and your friends. At the end, you’ll all have your final pieces to show off, which is honestly the best feeling ever.