Listen, we all know that Valentine’s Day was made up by the greeting card and candy companies. Maybe even the rose empires have something to do with it too. But, it is still a fun way to celebrate the significant others in your life. In recent years, thanks to Leslie Knope from Park and Recreation, the holiday of Galentine’s day has also become a mainstream holiday to acknowledge the special ladies in your life. As Leslie explains it, it is a time to leave the boyfriends, husbands, and situationships at home and enjoy time with your girlfriends.
“Ladies celebrating ladies” – Leslie Knope, 2010
Galentine’s day, celebrated on February 13th, is an opportunity to shower your friends in nothing but love and appreciation. To tell them and remind them how important they are in your life and how you *literally* couldn’t make it through the week without them. Along with this, is another opportunity to celebrate women, and the special relationships womens have with each other.
My favorite part of Galentine’s day you may ask? It’s the fact that it looks different for every friend group. Personally, my friends and I are making breakfast for dinner, having a glass of wine, and sharing a cake that I was able to stick together at midnight last night in a baking tornado. However, that’s not everyone’s speed, and that is ok.
So, here are three ideas on how to celebrate Galentine’s day with your girlfriends, making sure everyone feels special and loved.
- Try that class you and your friends have been dying to do
Galentine’s day is a great excuse to do something out of your normal routine. Especially during the cold months of winter, it’s important to get out of a rut. Maybe there’s a new yoga studio that opened in town, or a sip and paint place down the street. Whatever it is, grab your friends and use this as an excuse to treat yourselves to a fun time.
- Cocktail Swap
If you’re on TikTok as much as I am, you know all about the themed dinner party nights. Some people have been doing board swaps, where each person brings in a different kind of charcuterie board, and others have found food swaps fit their groups needs. My personal favorite is the cocktail swap: every person brings in a drink they created to share with the group. This could be a great way to dust off your bartender skills and great fun and yummy drinks you know your friends will love. Add some edible glitter or flowers to the drink for a fun Galentine’s twist.
Add-on: Along with the cocktail swap, do a PowerPoint presentation night too! The drinks mixed with some hilarious presentations is a great way to bring your friends together.
- Board Game Saga
For those who are looking for a night in, there is nothing like a good board game night. Whether it’s “Clue” or “Risk”, this is a great way to spend quality time with friends. Have everyone in the group bring their favorite board game. Or, a game they’ve never played before! Play all of them, or some if time doesn’t permit for a four hour game of Monopoly, and enjoy the competitive spirits of the night.
My one biggest piece of advice for Galentine’s day? Just do it, and be goofy about it. While it might feel boring or lame to celebrate an arbitrary and borderline factitious holiday, that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun. Everyone enjoys feeling special and loved, so this is a great opportunity to share those feelings with your friends, and get some love back in the process. Show your best friends you love them!