Chocolate, Crafts & a Cozy Night In Valentine’s Day is a nice reminder to pause and celebrate the people we love — and a Galentine’s party gives us the perfect excuse to do the same with our girlfriends. In our opinion, a celebration like this doesn’t need to be over-the-top or complicated. Keep things easy, intentional, and fun – focus on simple ideas that feel special without creating extra work. This year, we’re centering our Galentine’s celebration around a few things everyone loves: chocolate, champagne, an easy project, and a cozy night in. It’s the kind of gathering that feels relaxed, welcoming, and doable — exactly what we want in the middle of a busy season. Chocolate First (Always) When planning a Galentine’s get-together, chocolate is an easy place to start. We keep it simple with a mix of chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped fruit, and a bowl of classic chocolate kisses for grazing. Add a chilled bottle of champagne or prosecco, and you’re already most of the way there. For an impressive but simple to prepare dessert, we rely on one of our favorite make-ahead options: molten chocolate cakes. They feel special, but they’re surprisingly easy to prepare ahead of time. Make the batter a day or two in advance and simple bake them before serving, and finish with whipped cream and raspberries. It’s a thoughtful dessert that doesn’t require a lot of last-minute effort — which is always the goal. Easy Crafty Details That Pull It Together We like to add a small, low-pressure crafty element to Galentine’s Day — something people can enjoy while chatting and snacking. This year, we have provided the supplies ( watercolors, watercolor paper ) to make cards, and cardstock for heart garland together. We plan our event before February 14 which enables everyone to use their cards and garland to share with others. For décor (and gifting), we’re using hot pink Kalanchoe plants wrapped in simple burlap squares, tied with colorful ribbon, and finished with a felt heart. They’re cheerful, fun to prep ahead of time, and work double-duty as table décor until it’s time to send guests home with one. We use the same wrapping approach for small gifts. With a few ribbons (pom-pom, striped, and gingham), felt hearts, shredded paper, and clear cellophane bags, you can package thoughtful treats without buying anything complicated. Inside, we’re including a few favorites: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks, Biodance collagen face masks, and of course, a handful of chocolate kisses. Useful, fun, and easy to assemble in advance. A Low-Stress Menu Everyone Loves Galentine’s Day doesn’t require a full dinner party. We keep the menu flexible and snack-friendly. A simple cheese board with blue cheese drizzled with honey, a wedge of brie, baguette slices, and strawberries is always a crowd-pleaser. Add a crisp salad if you’d like, but keep it optional — this is about enjoying the evening, not managing a schedule. Later in the night, we like to have a hot cocoa bar ready for guests to indulge. Warm milk, cocoa mix, whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate shavings are all you need. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and perfect for winding down while watching a favorite rom-com. Why We Love Celebrations Like This For us, Valentine’s Day is really just an excuse to slow down and connect. It’s about being thoughtful without making things harder than they need to be. Simple food, easy decorations, and small gifts that feel personal go a long way. Whether you’re celebrating friends, family, or the women who show up for you every day, keeping things simple makes the time together feel even better — and that’s always the goal.
Entertaining
Sip, Savor & Celebrate: Hosting a Holiday Open House
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a holiday open house — the gentle hum of conversation, the smell of warm spices drifting through the air, and a steady flow of friends and neighbors stopping by to toast the season. Open houses are casual yet festive, joyful yet beautifully simple. And, as we like to say at Shookhill Secret, hosting doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special. This year, we’re embracing the “Sip, Savor & Celebrate” philosophy — a relaxed style of entertaining that invites guests to linger, snack, and enjoy the spirit of the holidays at their own pace. With a thoughtful plan, a few beautiful touches, and a menu that balances savory and sweet, you can create a celebration that looks polished yet feels effortless. Set the Tone with a Festive Invitation Start by sending a simple, stylish invitation — nothing fussy, just warm and welcoming. We’re using a simple three tree design for our holiday invite this year, which feels both polished and personal. The goal is to set expectations early: the open house is casual, drop-in friendly, and full of good food and even better company. Make Your Cocktail Station Shine A signature drink sets the mood for any gathering. To keep things easy, we’ve designed our Holiday Cocktail Sign Template, which makes your drink station look instantly elevated. Offer one or two batch cocktails in pretty glass pitchers or drink dispensers — something light and festive like a cranberry spritz, poinsettia or mistletoe margarita. Add a small tray of garnishes (fresh rosemary, citrus slices, cranberries) so guests can customize their drinks. Place this station away from the kitchen to keep traffic flowing, and don’t forget to add a stack of pretty napkins and your favorite barware from our Shookhill Secret hosting essentials list. Easy, Elegant Appetizers When hosting an open house, appetizers should be simple to prepare, easy to eat, and visually appealing. We love skewer-style bites — think mozzarella + cherry tomato + basil, marinated mushrooms, skewers, or marinated olives and artichokes threaded together for a Mediterranean twist. Pair these with a savory grazing board, arranged with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, seasonal fruits, olives, and nuts. Keep everything replenished throughout the evening, and don’t overthink the arrangement — natural, slightly abundant boards always look beautiful. Something Sweet (and a nod to Christmas Markets) Holiday open houses practically beg for sweet treats. This year, we’re serving Bavarian roasted nuts — a nostalgic favorite reminiscent of what we look forward to later in December at the European Christmas markets (and yes, we’ll be sharing our holiday adventures later this month). Round out your dessert selection with a few homemade holiday cookies. Our staples:• Pizelles — delicate, crisp, and lightly sweetened with orange and rum• Gingerbread cookies — warmly spiced and wonderfully festive• Spritz cookies — classic, buttery, and always beloved Arrange them on tiered stands or simple platters for a cheerful finishing touch. If you don’t have time to bake, try filling apothecary jars with seasonal candies (mints, wrapped chocolates etc…) and arrangie them together for a fun easy dessert display. Gifts Optional — But Inspiration Ready We aren’t exchanging gifts at our open house this year, but if you are still shopping, don’t miss our Curated 2025 Holiday Gift Guide. With over 50 thoughtful ideas organized by category, it’s the perfect resource for home cooks, entertainers, travelers, young adults, men, and more. A Final Thought A holiday open house should feel like a warm embrace — relaxed, welcoming, and filled with small touches that make guests feel cared for. Keep the menu simple, the drinks festive, and the décor natural, and you’ll be able to enjoy the evening just as much as your guests. This season, sip, savor, and celebrate — easily and beautifully.