The Well Dressed Table

One of my favorite holidays is Valentine’s Day so when Leslie Knope deemed February 13th Galentine’s Day as the Valentine’s Day to celebrate your friends. I was ALL about it. So looking to celebrate my third year hosting a Galentine’s Brunch I thought I would share with you what we did last year and how you can host an easy, make ahead brunch, including a little take home gift for all your gals.

Mimosa Bar

You can’t have a Galentine’s brunch without some bubbles. This mimosa bar was super easy to set up with some 90 cellars sparkling rose and I also had regular bubbly with some brut cava from Freixnet. I also, put out two different juices, orange and grapefruit.

As well as juice I decided to add some different fruit garnishes of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries. Fruit was also accompanied by a muddler if anyone wanted to get the flavors really mixed in. Putting out change flutes made it easy for everyone to help themselves and personalize their cocktails.

Table Decorations

This Galentine’s brunch tablescape is everything girlie with a little glam and super easy. The base begins with this champagne sequin tablecloth. On top are two types of lanterns. One being these large glass pink and clear jar lanterns that I purchased the year prior at Michaels Craft store. The others are these small white lanterns from Amazon. Both are filled with fairy string lights for some day time glimmer. Short battery strands are placed in the small white lanterns, while longer battery string lights with multiple settings are placed in the larger ones.

Along with some shimmering lights were pink and white flowers placed throughout the table. I placed these flowers in smaller jars, which were then set in these lace white pots from Ikea. They also double as lanterns when candles are placed inside. My white plates were then set along with stainless flatware and these inexpensive dark pink cotton napkins. These napkins come in a set of 12 for around $17 from Amazon.

Galentine’s Gifts

Since Galentine’s brunch is a creation of Leslie Knope’s on Park and Recs, I decided to make themed gift cards to match. If you watched the show, you may have noticed Leslie’s affectionate names for Anne throughout the seasons. Each card has a different Leslie Knope Quote. Use them as table cards and hand write your guests name above the heart, or, you can use them here as I did. I purchased inexpensively on Amazon a pack of twelve Softlips Vanilla Lip Balm for about $17.

You could also do a travel size tube of hand lotion or any small item but I thought everyone can use lip balm in February. To adhere the lip balm to the card, I used a few dots of glue from a glue gun. You can also use these clear glue dots that you can get on Amazon or purchase a your local craft store. Make sure when you do remove the adhesive you just pull it really slowly.

Free Printable Cards

Make Ahead Waffle Bar Brunch

Waffle Bar and Toppings

It may seem daunting to put the effort into making a waffle bar for Galentines Brunch but it’s actually something you can make ahead for easy hosting. I don’t own a waffle maker so I borrowed two from friends in order to make them twice as quickly that morning about 2 or so hours before the party. It took me about an hour or so to make enough waffles.

Since they were large I decided to cut them into quarters. The waffles were then placed on an oven safe platter. I then put all the toppings in separate bowls for serving. I covered the waffles in a damp cotton dish cloth and placed in the oven on warm. The damp towel keeps your waffles from drying out in the oven and I turned the oven off after a bit and just kept it closed until ready to serve.

I decided to a variety of toppings, making it so guests can customize their own waffle preferences. In bowls were softened butter, mini chocolate chips, Nutella, fresh berries, and lastly freshly whipped cream. To make whipped cream in advance you can stabilize it with some sour cream, recipe and details here. No one wants to be whipping cream while trying to get out other food items on the table.

Crust-less Veggie Quiche

You can’t have brunch without some type of egg related food item. My favorite is a type of quiche since they can usually be served room temp. Since I was looking for easy, I went for a veggie crust-less version. No fussing with any dough, just egg, cheese and veggies.

I just chopped some of my favorite veggies like onions, peppers and mushrooms with beaten eggs, a little bit of cream and cheese, seasoning to my liking. Then baked at 350 degrees until set, making up my own version and turning off the oven and closing the door to keep warm until ready to serve.

If your looking for a more structured recipe I recommend this one by the kitchen girl. You can of course add some meat with ham, bacon or sausage if you’re feeling it. Crust-less quiches also make great fuss free, make ahead breakfasts for a busy week.

Melon Salad and Parfaits

Fruit and yogurt are always good additions to brunch, especially a made ahead version. I wanted to go outside the traditional mix on the fruit salad, and decided on a melon salad instead. Simply use a melon baller to scoop out the cantaloupe and honeydew melon into little balls. Then place into a serving bowl and covered to refrigerate.

To make these mini parfaits, I already had these small glasses but any small bowl or glass will do. Then I simply layered plain vanilla yogurt, store bought granola, and berries. I tend to use berries, particularly raspberries and blueberries not only because they are delicious but the less chopping and prep I have to do the better!

Lanterns and Lights

These string lights in my dining room for the holidays, and decided to hang on to them a little while longer updating the look for Galentine’s Day. The lights were draped across and held by small clear command hooks. I love these hooks but highly recommend ones with the white adhesive NOT the clear strips. I’ve found the clear adhesive strips hard to remove cleanly without damaging the paint. Then throughout, hooked on these various paper lanterns on the light strands. I love paper lanterns and have them in most colors. If you put together and unfold carefully, you can reuse them many times.

I hope you get to show your tribe of ladies some love this Galentine’s season with with a Galentine’s Day brunch, lots of bubbly, pink and kicking it breakfast style!

-Ashley

Click the images for more Galentine’s ideas