The Only Galentine's Day Ideas You Need This Year

About the author: My name is Lucie Waring, I'm 20 years old and a 3rd year BA Digital Media and Society student at the University of Sheffield, though I'm currently on a placement year. I am originally from York, but I'm now going into my third year living in Sheffield – so I'm therefore now a self-proclaimed expert on Sheffield student life, from the best coffee shops and parks to the nightlife. While at university, I am a member of many societies that I love to attend with friends and partake in fun social events!

If the pure thought of Valentine’s Day fills you with dread, then don’t panic. We've got some fun Galentine’s Day ideas here to save the day.

Celebrate your female friendships with your girlies this February instead of wallowing over another single year. Galentine’s Day. If you’ve never heard of Galentine’s, then where have you been? Popularised by Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day happens on the day before Valentine’s Day every year – February 13th. It's a day to celebrate all things feminine, to forget about your troubles, and make the most of your gals (and no, you don't have to be single to celebrate).

So, if you’re looking to make the most of celebrating Galentine’s Day as a student this year, gather your friends and get planning. Here are some student-friendly suggestions on how to spend this time, so you can have the best Galentine’s Day ever.

9 Top Galentine's Day Ideas

Check out local events 🎟️

Bottomless brunch, anyone? If you’d rather spend the day out and about, have a look on Facebook or your Student Union’s website to see if there’s anything Galentine’s related going on near you - Fatsoma also has the most up-to-date evening activity bookings. Alternatively, book in at your local bottomless brunch, get tickets to a local gig, or check out a chick flick at the cinema that you’ve all been dying to see (last year, I saw the new Mean Girls, and it brought all the fun Galentine's energy).

Galentine's Day gift ideas 🎁

Exchange gifts like a Secret Santa, but for Galentine’s. A few weeks before the big day, put your names in a hat and pick who gives to whom (but keep it a secret). The most popular Galentine’s Day gift ideas include bath bomb sets, chocolates to share, prosecco, and even a weekend away. Gifting to one of your lady friends is a great way to come together and share the love.

Cocktail night and picky bits 🍸

Everyone loves a so-called ‘picky bits’ tea, so why not host a chilled evening with your friends, full of snacks and an array of both homemade and shop-bought treats to indulge in? Pair with cocktails for a wilder night. You can try out new recipes or challenge yourself to create a different cocktail to try.

Have a sleepover 🛏️

Yes. Even if you’re flatmates. Having a proper sleepover for Galentines’ is the perfect way to spend some quality time together. Take your mattresses and duvets into the living room, invite your besties and cancel all other plans. Have a glass of wine in your PJs, stick some movies on and spend the night chatting until 2 AM. You’ll love it.

Cook together 🍕

Fed up with spending your money eating out? Make the most of Galentine’s Day by spending the night cooking a meal. Whether you delegate someone per course or simply make pizzas together, cooking is a cheap and exciting way to spend the evening together with your gal pals.

Alternatively, another Galentine’s Day food idea you could try is to host a bake-off and see who has the best cookie-making skills (and then eat them all).

Treat yo' self! 💅

Spa? Shopping? Manicure? Our next fun Galentine’s Day idea is to spend the day pampering yourselves at your local spa, enjoy a massage, or get your nails done. Splurge on a group activity that’ll leave you feeling refreshed the next day, or enjoy spa activities at home to stay on budget.

Karaoke night 🎤

Warm up your vocal cords, ladies. Whether you fancy a night out or would rather do it at home, grab a microphone (your iPhone will do) and dance the night away with a Galentine's Day party. Sing your troubles away with a glass of wine and your besties.

For a more exclusive night, you could do your research on your local area. For example, in Sheffield, Cosy Joes is the liveliest karaoke bar; you can even book a private room just for your girl group - or should I say, girl band.

Decorate your house 🎨 

I'm not talking about anything crazy like painting your walls pink - your landlord wouldn't approve, but getting together some fun decor to make your house feel more cosy and whimsical is the perfect way to bring in Galentine’s vibes to your home. Whether it be homemade paper chain hearts or shop-bought posters and pink LED lights, this will bring all the feelings of friendship and love to your home.

In Sheffield, Flying Tiger always has the best affordable decor, so make sure to head there. Alternatively, check out UniHomes' blog on how to decorate your uni room to bring a little more love to your own space first!

Arts and crafts night 🖌️ 

An arts and crafts night rounds up our list of Galentine’s Day activity ideas! If you are in search of a more relaxed, wholesome activity, an arts and crafts night at home is a chilled and creative option to keep you entertained, and your mind focused. Glass painting, sip and paint, clay making, and candle making are all easy crafts you can do at home with minimal supplies, which can be purchased online or at your local bargain shop.

Celebrate Some Galentine’s Day Ideas at Home

Now that you have some cute Galentine’s Day ideas floating around, you’ll need the perfect place to try them out. If you’re looking for student accommodation for next year, UniHomes has it all. From cosy studios to 10-bed houses, you can use UniHomes’ search filter to find your perfect home away from home.

Clue up on when to start looking for student accommodation so you and your girls can get sorted in plenty of time!

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.