The Best Galentine’s Gift Exchange Ideas Your Besties Will Love

One of my favorite official “unofficial” holidays is Galentine’s Day. Similar to Friendsgiving, this holiday celebrates all things friendship and love. (Except this time, it’s only with your girl friends). And a great way to celebrate this holiday or incorporate something fun into your Galentine’s party, is by hosting a gift exchange. So if you’re looking for Galentine’s gift exchange ideas, here are some easy and cute options your besties are going to love. 

What is Galentine’s Day

So what is Galentine’s Day? If you’ve never heard of it before, Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday. Celebrating friendship and love with your girl friends during the Valentine’s season. Hence the name “gal-entines”. 

For me, I’m a big believer in community and doing life with other people. And friendships, especially girl friendships, play such an important role in my life. 

I am always encouraging it because there is something so special about having good girl friends, and how they help make life feel lighter. Being able to talk through things, care for one another’s burdens, and simply enjoy life together makes everything more meaningful and more fun.

Which is why holidays like Galentine’s Day are such a beautiful way to come together and celebrate friendship, love, and sisterhood.

When Is Galentine’s Day

The “official” Galentine’s Day is February 13. However, you can celebrate it anytime in February leading up to Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s the first, second, or even third week of the month.

Galentine’s Gift Exchange Ideas

1. Favorite Things Gift Exchange

With a favorite things gift exchange, the idea is super simple: everyone brings their favorite thing and shares it with one another. It could be anything from a favorite snack, a beauty product, a small gadget, or anything their loving right now. And at the end of the gift exchange, everyone gets to leave with each other‘s favorite item.

Here’s how it works: first, set a budget so everyone knows how much to spend. Then, decide how many of the same item each person should bring, (based on the number of people in the exchange). For example, if you’re doing the exchange with three friends, you’d each bring three of the same item. That way, each friend can take home one, and everyone leaves with a collection of each other’s favorite things.

Overall, think of this like a fun show-and-tell: where you get to share what you’re loving right now, and your friends do the same. 

CHECK OUT: 24 Favorite Things Party Ideas Everyone Will ABSOLUTELY Love

2. White Elephant Gift Exchange

Similar to how we do White Elephant during the Christmas season, you can do a Galentine’s White Elephant gift exchange.

If you don’t know how to play a White Elephant gift exchange, here’s the basic premise: 

Each person brings a wrapped gift and draws a number to decide the order. The first person picks a gift and opens it for everyone to see. Then, the next person can either choose a new wrapped gift or steal a gift that’s already been opened. Gifts can be swapped multiple times, (depending on your rules), until everyone has a gift. 

3. Secret Cupid Galentine’s Gift Exchange

Have a Secret Cupid Galentine’s gift exchange where you and your friends each draw a name beforehand. The person whose name you draw is the one you buy a gift for. It’s basically the same as Secret Santa, but with a Galentine’s name.

4. Create a Galentine’s Gift Basket

Another one of my favorite Galentine’s gift exchange ideas is to create gift baskets. I love this idea because it works for so many different budgets. For example, if you have a $5 budget per basket, you can fill a small box or cup with candy, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and maybe even a small snack like chips or cookies.

You can also make themed baskets, like a Galentine’s movie night basket with everything your friends will need for a movie night. Like popcorn, a cute blanket, candy, and fuzzy socks.

Also, when it comes to the gift basket, you can either make the same basket for all your friends or personalize each one to match your friend’s interests. 

For example, a friend who loves self care could get a basket filled with personal care items. While a friend who loves iced coffee could get a cute glass cup, coffee syrups, or even a gift card to their favorite coffee shop.

5. Gift Your Friend Their Favorite Thing

In addition to all the gift ideas above, giving someone their favorite thing is a great way to make sure your gift is something they’ll actually use. 

This works especially well, if your friend randomly mentioned something they like or are interested in and you remembered. That way, it’ll show that you were listening and care about their interests.

6. Gift an Experience

As someone who loves experiences and doing things, this is one of my favorite gift ideas. So, if you have a friend who prefers experiences over tangible gifts, consider giving them an experience.

It could be anything from a gift card to a spa. Taking them to the movies and buying their ticket. Or giving a gift card to a sit down restaurant.

7. Gift Flowers

OK, so in terms of Galentine’s gift ideas, there are so many different things that you can give your friends. And a classic “tried and true” gift idea is… (drum roll) flowers! Pink roses are iconic for Galentine’s, but you can also gift your friends their favorite flowers or a mixed bouquet.

8. Gift Candles

One of my favorite sections at Marshalls is the candle section, and I love how they rotate scents for the holidays. Recently, I stopped by and found so many great Valentine’s themed scents, like strawberry shortcake and sweet vanilla.

If your friends love candles and enjoy seasonal scents, gifting a candle is a great idea. You can find some amazing options at Walmart, HomeGoods, Bath & Body Works, or wherever you usually shop for candles.

9. Personal Care and Beauty Gifts

Another great Galentine’s gift idea is personal care and beauty items. From body scrubs to lip balms, lotions, and makeup, there are so many different items that you can buy. 

You can give your friends a new product they’ve never tried but you think they’ll love. Or you can gift their favorite beauty items so they can restock and enjoy something they already use.

10. Gift Socks

I’m a sucker for fuzzy socks, and with the cold weather still lingering in February, I’ve been wearing my Christmas socks nonstop. 

If you have a friend who loves socks too or just wants to stay warm, get them some! You can go with Valentine’s themed socks or regular colors.

11. Wrap the Gifts Nicely

Last but not least, when it comes to Galentine’s gift exchange ideas, wrap your gifts nicely. You can go with a cute wrapping paper or gift bag, that way it’ll be extra special when your friend(s) unwrap the gift.