Learn all about Galentine’s Day, and how to celebrate with your gal pals this year! I have personally always loved Valentine’s Day, and it has nothing to do with whether I’m in a relationship.
For me, it’s always been about the chocolate (yum) and the expressions of love for people in my life. That’s why Galentine’s Day just calls to me!
What is Galentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day may be all about celebrating romantic love, but Galentine’s Day is all about ladies celebrating their female friendships.
Galentine’s Day originally started as a fictional holiday on the TV show Parks and Recreation.
Leslie Knope, the show’s dedicated civil servant character, played by Amy Poehler, first talked about the Galentine’s Day during a Feb. 11, 2010 episode of the show.
Knope had carefully created special gifts for each friend at the table in a show of generosity and appreciation for those friendships. That’s the spirit of Galentine’s Day!
It’s also an occasion where boyfriends and husbands are not part of the equation. Think of it as a kind of a party-before-the-party that comes on Valentine’s Day…or it can act as a substitute if you’re not celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Our culture has adopted this tradition, making Galentine’s Day a yearly unofficial holiday that is celebrated on February 13th. As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s easy to focus on a romantic relationship (or lack of) in your life, but that doesn’t have to be the focus.
Make this time of year a time to express our appreciation and gratitude for all of the people we love, especially the incredible women in our lives!
Galentine’s Day Ideas
Whether you’re married, single or somewhere in the middle, here are 16 ideas for making this Galentine’s Day with your favorite women one to remember!
Go Out To Brunch
Dinner dates are for your significant other; Brunch dates are for your girls. Nothing says friendship like frittatas, waffles, and mimosas!
Have a Movie Date Night
Get dressed up with your crew and head to the movie theater, or get comfy and watch a movie together at someone’s house. Let the group choose whether they want something sweet and romantic or something that ignores love entirely – maybe even opt for something with a strong female lead (Erin Brockovich, The Help, and The Hunger Games to mind)!
Get Moving
Grab the girls and treat yourselves to that hot new exercise class you’ve always said was too expensive. Afterward, hit the smoothie bar or a healthy restaurant for something yummy and guilt-free (like sushi!)
Host Game Night
Have all your gals over for a grown-up evening of games. You could play favorites like Apples to Apples, Taboo, Monopoly and even something like Bunco.
Also, who says Poker Night is just for the guys? Play cards and gab the night away. Bonus points if you and your pals teach each other to play new games you haven’t played before.
Serve beverages and enjoy letting your competitive spirit out!
Go On A Date With Your Best Girlfriends
Who said dates are just for romance? Take classic date activities, like dinner and a movie, and do them with your closest girlfriends (especially if the movie theater has a dine-in option).
Plan a Favorite Things Party
Invite all your gal-pals and have everyone bring two of their “favorite things” — from favorite books to personal products and more. Recently, we threw a Friends Themed Party and it was AMAZING!
At the party, everyone will draw a number and leave with two of someone else’s favorite things. Also, don’t forget to set a budget limit ahead of time!
Get Pampered
You don’t need to go to a luxury resort to pamper yourself. A professional massage, facial, or mani/pedi can make you feel like new without breaking your bank. Go as a group with your fav gal pals and unwind for the day.
Have A Galentine’s Day Dessert Party
As I said, chocolate plays a huge factor in my Galentine’s day plans… What better way than to just have a whole dessert party?
Have a potluck where everyone brings a different dessert (and recipe to share), or you could all get together and make the desserts. Either way, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth.
Plan an Outdoor Adventure
Enjoy the crisp February air on a hike, bike or run with your closest gal-pals.
Bonus: since you worked out during the day, you can splurge on lunch or Starbucks later in the day!
Throw a Galentine’s Day Slumber Party
Have the girls bring their cutest PJs for an old-fashioned slumber party complete with games of truth-or-dare, flashlight tag, etc. Prepare to pull out the girl power movies or make some irresistible homemade truffles while you’re at it, and don’t be surprised to find yourself having a pillow fight!
Do it up with heart-shaped pizzas (pizza – yum!), wine, and rom-com movies. That sounds like the recipe for a pretty stellar night with your besties.
Do Wine and Art Class
Combine two favorites into one fun night with your friends. Search for a local canvas painting class and enjoy an evening together painting and sipping wine.
At the end of the evening, you leave with fun memories and a piece of art to display in your home.
Plan a Staycation
Grab your bestie and rent a room in a nice local hotel. Order room service, lounge around in fuzzy robes and generally enjoy relaxing without responsibilities!
Go on A Galentine’s Day Road Trip
Who says a road trip can’t happen around Valentine’s Day?
Whether you take a day to drive to the nearby big city or a weekend to go somewhere farther away, a road trip with the girls is always a fun bonding experience.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going out, staying in…celebrating with your best friend, your whole crew, or your mom, Galentine’s Day is a fun tradition all women can enjoy together!
Read More:
Want to put some thought into Valentine’s Day planning with your partner as well? Here are some Clever Date Night Ideas to surprise your loved one and make this Valentine’s day a day they will never forget!
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