It’s that time of year again! As the cheerful tunes of Christmas melted into the shining celebrations of New Year’s, the world began preparing for the next party of the year: Valentine’s Day. Around the world, hopes began to soar as people prepared themselves to share a special day with their special someone. However, while Valentine’s Day is a beautiful time of love, joy, and all things pink and red, it isn’t the most inclusive for those not in a romantic relationship.
Luckily for us gals (and guys) navigating the rocky road of college dating, a special holiday exists. It’s one meant for the commemoration of friendship, the gratitude for besties by your side, and yes—even for love. This year, whether involved in a romantic relationship or not, salute your nearest and dearest friends on Galentine’s Day! On February 13th, snuggle up with the people that make college memorable and celebrate one of the most important parts of life: the love only best friends can share. Treat your friends with the easy gifts below and enjoy the day!
- Cookies, Cupcakes, Candies, Galore!
-
One of the easiest ways to show someone that you love them is by giving them the gift of dessert! Whether you bake it or buy it, a sweet treat is the perfect way to share your love this Galentine’s Day. Hayley Cakes and Cookies is a fantastic bakery based out of Austin, Texas; after growing her business through curating quality content on Instagram (her cookie decorating videos are extremely soothing), Hayley and her team can now bake and ship cookies of almost any design! They arrive in great condition, and they are a perfect no-effort gift to give to friends (also, they’re delicious.)
For an at-home project, try baking these valentine’s brownies; you can even use a cookie cutter to cut them into heart shapes! As a last-minute buy, grab some of their favorite candy from Target or stop by L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates on Newbury Street to grab some delicate bites.
- A New Snuggle Buddy
-
Picture this: you’re in college, away from home, and you want someone (or something) to make your dorm room feel a bit more cozy. What’s better than a new stuffed animal to snuggle up with? Dozens of stores around Boston have them for relatively cheap prices, such as the Target in Fenway. You can get mini plushies for each of your friends! If you want one with a BU theme, stop by the bookstore — they have adorable plush keychains in the form of pink unicorns, roaring lions, and soft elephants.
-
Fuzzy, Cozy, and So, So Toasty!
-
There is absolutely no better gift for a college-aged girl than fuzzy socks; these are always my go-to present for any friend, no matter the time of year. Luckily, we’re in Boston in February—they’re going to want something warm for their feet. The Target in Fenway has extremely soft (and low-price) Valentine’s themed fuzzy socks available right now. If fuzzy socks aren’t your thing, they also have a large selection of normal Valentine-themed socks!
Another great gift idea to help your gal pal endure the Boston winter is a comfy heated plushie. It’ll be perfect for her to cuddle on “Bachelor Mondays” while she watches Pilot Pete soar (or awkwardly stumble) through the drama of “dating” a dozen women at once.
-
Gals’ Day Out (Or In!)
-
While the above options are all great, the most important gift of all is quality time. Nothing makes a friend feel more loved than the time to talk out her stress and laugh her fears away. This Galentine’s Day, make a plan with your friends to put your phones away and talk — it doesn’t have to be serious, just make the effort to spend genuine quality time with them. Go grab dinner and dessert on Newbury Street or have a spa night at home! A little bit of time and effort will go a long way in showing how much you appreciate them, plus it’ll be a great way to end the week.
Life is tough, and college is tougher. It’s the people we meet and the friends we grow to love that make the experience worth it and memorable; this year, take the time to value your friends and appreciate them. In a few years, you’ll thank yourself (and keep thanking them, too)!
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, and read our latest Tweets!