This year, when we’re missing spending time with our girls there’s never been a better time to celebrate ‘Galentine’s’. Author Anna Bell, suggests her top 5 ideas for livening up your virtual ‘galentine’s’ event.
The Man I Didn't Marry
1 – Virtual Tasting
There are so many different options to pick for a tasting from cheese to cocktails to gins – you’re spoilt for choice. Whilst some simply offer the package of food/drink delivered to your door, leaving you to discuss and chat at your own pace, others are more formal ticketed events where your tasting package is delivered and an expert leads you through your experience via Zoom. Hayman’s gin offer an evening with an expert which also includes four 5cl gins, 3 Fever Tree mixers and your very own gin glass (£25 per person https://www.haymansgin.com/product/virtual-gin-experience).
2 - Escape Room
If you’re looking for something more taxing and adrenaline filled, why not do a virtual escape room? Done on a series of webpages that need codes to progress, virtual escape rooms can be every bit as tense as when you’re locked in a room. There are so many parts to each puzzle that everyone can get involved. Instead of hunting round a room for the answers, you have to search the internet. If you get really stuck, there are also hints and tips that you can access to help you on your way. It’s simple to run too, once you’ve bought the code, enter it in the website and share your screen on Zoom so you can all play along. The “The Second Chance” room from Evadere is highly recommended. (£6.50 - https://evadere-shop.co.uk/)
3 – Watch Along
For a more low-key event, why not watch something with your friends? There are different plug-ins on Chrome like Teleparty which syncs your players so that you watch them at the same time and it provides you with a chat box to comment as you go. Disney+ apps also offer the option to group watch. But even without a fancy app, sync yourselves by messaging each other in you WhatsApp group chat your way through what you’re watching. Netflix has some great options. Bridgerton is an obvious choice – with its sizzling cast – there’s plenty to discuss, even if you are watching it for a second time. Netflix is also dropping the third instalment of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series on the 12th February– which is bound to be super cute like the previous two films.
4 – Murder Mystery
We’ve all binged enough detective shows and true-life crime series to think of ourselves as armchair detectives, so put those amateur sleuth skills to use with a classic murder mystery. They work exactly the same as a more traditional dinner party – you pick a theme, get assigned a character and the evening revolves around questioning your fellow suspects. Red Herring games have eleven all girl mysteries to choose from. You can embrace your inner lady of the manor in ‘Death comes to Downturn’ or be the diva you’ve always wanted to be in the ‘Smashed Hits Poll Winners Murder’– there’s bound to be a theme to suit your group. Dressing up in costume is half the fun. (From: £21.99 - https://www.red-herring-games.com)
5 – Horse Racing
Whilst this isn’t the easiest thing to do online, you can still bring a little magic of the races home – Ladies Day attire optional! Using Race Night UK, one person takes charge as the host, then you can each bet your virtual £50 on the different races. Once bets are placed, the host shares their screen on Zoom and away you go. Just keep your fingers crossed you’ve got some (virtual) money left for the final race! (Free up to 4 players. From £5 for 4+ players https://www.race-night.uk/)
Anna Bell is a writer of uplifting romantic comedies, and her latest book The Man I Didn’t Marry (HQ) is published 4th February.
