You may be sad that you’ve missed cuffing season and the only thing cuddle with at night is your blanket. But, single ladies, there is no better way to celebrate your lack of love life than celebrating Galentine’s Day with your best friends. Whether you’re bae’d up or bae-less, Galentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for you to celebrate the season of love. Feb. 14th is reserved for Valentine’s Day, overpacked restaurants, high chocolate sales and the cause of Costco selling out of those giant teddy bears. Originated by everyone’s favorite Pawnee Parks & Recreation department employee, Leslie Knope, Galentine’s Day takes place on Feb. 13th. This holiday is meant to celebrating your lady friends and show how much you appreciate them through gifts and waffles, like Leslie, or just a nice meal out.
If you’re like us and make Galentine’s Day an annual tradition, the dinner-and-wine-night festivities may get old. Phila-fy your Galentine’s Day with our refreshingly fun ideas for your upcoming Galentine’s Day fiesta.
Night at the Museum
Celebrate Galentine’s Day a day early on February 12th at Philadelphia Museum of Art with their Art After 5 event, “Valentine’s Pre-Party”. You still have to pay admission, which is $14 for students, but it is totally worth it. The night starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 8:45 p.m. with music by Calabash Quartet and french food from Granite Hill served alongside wine and cocktails.
Brunch With the (Bloody) Marys
One of the beautiful things about Philly is that you can always find a nice place to brunch no matter what type of cuisine you enjoy. Lucha Cartel in Old City offers up a nice brunch on Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eggs, soups, salads, burgers and burritos all find a nice home on Lucha Cartel’s brunch menu and you can pick your poison amongst the margarita or bloody mary selections. Call ahead for you and your gal pals so you aren’t celebrating in the February cold!
Take Two Hours and Tango
There’s nothing better than belting out your favorite High School Musical tune or bringing out your inner Tina Turner with a good karaoke session. Tango provides a luxe setting and private rooms for you and your gal pals to sing it out while ordering off of an extensive and delicious menu. Food and fun? Count us in.
Old-Fashioned Sleepover
Head back to your childhood roots, grab your sleeping bag, toothbrush and favorite movies and set up camp in the biggest living room out of all of your friends. Give up your vegan diet or juice cleanse and send someone to Pat’s or Geno’s for cheesesteaks. Calories do not matter on Galentine’s Day. Keep it traditional by bringing a flashlight and telling scary stories. For example, pretend you’re a boy and tell a story about that time a girl asked you, “What are we?” so that you can vent about all of your frustrations and work on your acting skills. Watch movies from your childhood like “Holiday in the Sun” and “Clueless” and make fun of the bad acting. Make it authentic and put your phones away and enjoy each other’s company. After all, you’re celebrating friendship.
Secret Galentine
Take a Christmas tradition and turn Secret Santa into Secret Galentine. Really play off of the original Galentine’s Day festivities from “Parks & Recreation” and go out for a breakfast at Champ’s Diner while exchanging gifts. In the show, Leslie Knope gave all of her friends meaningful gifts. Skip the store-bought chocolates, red and pink splattered socks and other cheesy run-of-the-mill Valentine’s Day gifts and make sure you and your friends are giving each other things you actually need. With everyone gorging themselves on waffles (extra whipped cream if you’re a Leslie Knope fan) and receiving gifts they’ll use, how could you not be happy?
If you already have plans on Galentine’s Day with your boo or family, still take time out of your day to write your best gal pals a nice note or card and remind them of all the things you love about them. Baes, boos and significant others come and go, but friends are forever.