Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or find its just your speed, the talk of love — and chocolate — is definitely in the air.
As the rise in popularity of millennial pink and avocados, more and more people are looking for non-traditional ways to celebrate the season of love. One alternative to the holiday occurs the day before Valentine’s Day. Feb. 13 is one of the greatest non-official holidays to surface from television. Originating from season two, episode 16 of Parks and Recreation (2010), “Galentine’s day” is Leslie Knope’s way of showing appreciation for the Girl Squad in your life. To quote Leslie, Galentine’s Day is about “ladies celebrating ladies.”
So this year, whether you’re single or in a relationship, gather your #GirlGang together for a night of love, laughs and plenty of fun.
Dress Code
Add a formal flair to the occasion by asking your Squad to get dolled up or stay cozy and make it a red-and-pink pyjama party.
Décor
The atmosphere of any venue really sets the mood for the occasion! Spruce things up with lots of colour and sparkle!
DIY Photobooth: hang a pink or red table cloth/bed sheet on a wall for a pop of colour, hang up string lights, create a paper heart garland and start posin’ for the ’gram! Gold or silver balloons optional.
Table Setting: pink or red napkins, candles and table cloth. Add a finishing touch with a bouquet of flowers.
Food and Beverage
Whether you decide to host the event yourself or make it a potluck, food and drink are a surefire way to bring people you love together.
Hors-d’oeuvres: cheese with crackers and grapes, veggies and hummus, mini bell pepper nacho boats, fresh fruit with strawberry fluff fruit dip.
Drinks: Shirley Temples, the Lady Killer, the Pink Lady, Strawberry Daiquiris and Red Sangria.
Main: Pizza supreme, Ultimate Grilled Cheese, veggie frittata, veggie stir fry.
Dessert: Chocolate Coca-Cola cake (bake in a heart-shaped pan if you’re in the mood!), Red Velvet Cake truffles, Chocolate Diablo Cookies.
Snacks: air-popped popcorn with Valentine’s M&M’s, chocolate covered strawberries (try making the “tuxedo” version for some extra flair).
Entertainment
Movies: The Notebook, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, P.S. I Love You, Sixteen Candles, Clueless, Mean Girls, Friends with Benefits, The Parent Trap, 10 Things I Hate about You, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Titanic, Legally Blonde, You’ve Got Mail, Begin Again, Heathers.
TV Marathon: Jane the Virgin, Downton Abbey, The Good Place, Queer Eye, The Bachelor, Parks and Recreation, The Office, Gilmore Girls, Grace and Frankie, Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, Friends, Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, Bob’s Burgers, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Music Playlists: “Galentine’s Day” by Spotify, “Girl Gang Bangers” by Masha. Eskandari, “Galentine’s Day 2019” by Caitie Duke, “Girl Power Anthems” by Natalie Campbell Mead, “Girl Boss” by Danielle Marie.
Activities: paint your nails, play a card game (Exploding Kittens, Anomia), Just Dance, karaoke.