As the years pass, the need to buy the perfect gift for your special someone and the stress it creates is making Valentine’s Day less and less romantic. I realize that I’m not alone in this and that many of you share this sentiment - but ladies have you heard about Galentine’s day? The idea was founded by Leslie Knope from the TV show Parks and Recreation and has become a tradition that is quickly gaining traction among girlfriends everywhere. And what a glorious idea it is! Honoring great friendships should be mandatory as far as I’m concerned. Galentine’s is basically an excuse to gather all your best gal pals and celebrate girl power. Now that is a holiday I can get behind!

Here are some ideas for hosting your own Galentine’s Day party:

Ladies LOVE brunch!

Invite all your gal pals over for a classy, delicious mid-day brunch extravaganza! Fill your space with fresh florals, decorate the table with candles, flower petals and chocolates and choose from one of these decadent brunch recipes.

• Vegan Huevos Rancheros: crispy tortilla chips topped with tofu scramble, and ladled with tomato-chili sauce.
• Vegan French Toast: made with slices of ciabatta bread - this delicious vegan alternative is undeniable.
• Chili Chocolate Granola: a dish with flavours of sweet, decadent chocolate balanced with a touch of chili heat. Layer this sweet and spicy granola with yogurt and coconut whip cream and enjoy as a parfait!

Kombucha Bar

No brunch party is complete without a kombucha bar. Swap the champagne for healthful bubbly this year - the concept is super simple: pick up a few different flavors of kombucha, press your own fresh fruit juice and set out a few bowls of fruit and herbs for garnish. Guests can mix and match flavors and get as creative as they like with their own personalized “mocktails.”

Make your own photo wall

This Galentine’s day, take advantage of the togetherness, get a little dolled up and set up a photo wall in your living room. You can get fancy and rent a backdrop, but making one is just as easy. This backdrop is fun and flirty - only requiring a few pins, some construction paper, and string to make. Alternatively, you could tape or pin up a roll of glittery or floral wall paper and...voila! – you’re ready for a photo sesh with your besties.

Personalized homemade Valentine’s

There is something incredibly sentimental about a proper handmade card. Relationships as special as the ones with your best friends deserve to be recognized. Homemade Galentine’s Day cards are a great way to express your love and admiration for all the special ladies in your life. So gather up some construction paper, stamps, fancy pens, and your best puns to craft Galentine’s notes that let your pals know just how special they are to you.

Dessert is a must!

Decadent chocolate mousse or dessert nachos are treats you can prepare ahead of time so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

Secret Cupid

This is a similar concept to Secret Santa. Before the party, draw names for everyone who has RVSP’d. Send an email to each guest with the name of their Secret Valentine for a small gift exchange. Set a spending limit and get ready to spoil your friends with a special little extra surprise.

I hope these ideas will help make your first Galentine’s a tradition that everyone will want to be apart of!