Valentine’s Day can be fun whether you have significant other, or are just looking forward to watching cheesy Hallmark Channel original movies while you indulge in all the discounted heart-shaped sweets you bought off the shelves. But Galentine’s Day takes it to a whole new level. In this blog, you’ll learn about the history of this great holiday and ways you can celebrate the favorite females in your life.
What is Galentine’s Day?
Well, according to Leslie Knope, the fierce female protagonist on the former NBC hit series Parks and Recreation:
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Galentine’s Day was a holiday first introduced in an episode of the same name on Parks and Recreation in 2010. Leslie explains that every February 13th, she and her friends leave their significant others at home and get together to eat a fabulous breakfast, give gifts, and take the time to really say how much they appreciate each other.
Leslie showed her appreciation to her favorite gal pals by gifting them each a bouquet of hand-crocheted flower pens, a mosaic portrait made from the crushed bottles of their favorite diet soda, and a personalized 5,000-word essay about why they are so awesome. Now that’s friendship. She also points out that while February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is a day that recognizes romance, February 13th, Galentine’s Day, requires no romance and is centered around celebrating your “lady friends.”
Female friendships are the core of this great day, and it comes with many benefits that Valentine’s Day might not have. For one thing, there are no cheesy Hallmark cards required! Plus, no one is alone on Galentine’s Day because you’re celebrating each other. Who says romantic love is the only love?
You don’t have to be a fan of the show to take part in this fabulous holiday, and it’s encouraged to appreciate your female friendships all year round! In case you are interested in celebrating, here are some ways you and your favorite ladies can ring in Galentine’s Day this February 13th:
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Whether you’re looking to spend a late night out dancing with your ladies or just want to catch a movie, going out is a great way to celebrate. What better way to appreciate your friends than spending time with them in a new place, creating more beautiful memories? Some suggestions: head to NYC to see a Broadway show, take a walk through Thornes Marketplace in Northampton, smell all the scents at Yankee Candle, explore a new bookstore, or maybe even treat yourselves to a lovely brunch, lunch, or dinner. The best way to end the day is to order a platter of your favorite desserts to celebrate!
Do you crave a relaxing day where you can just stay home to watch Netflix? Make it a day with your friends to kick back, eat some of your favorite junk food snacks, and watch all of your favorite movies and TV shows--a Disney movie sing-a-long, Gilmore Girls marathon, or finally get around to watching that psychological thriller that’s on your watch list but you’re too afraid to view alone. Now you have your gals to go through all the jumpy scenes with you and you’ll have a laugh about it later!
Looking to substitute screen time? No problem! Try DIY projects or arts and crafts. Custom make coffee mugs, t-shirts, or notebooks for yourself and your friends. Visit Joann Fabric or Michael’s in Enfield to get the supplies for your projects! Unsure about what to make? Check out Pinterest for some inspiration.
Want to take a walk down memory lane? Take a major #throwback to childhood and bring out your classic board games! They’re not just for rainy days or power outages. Clue is a good place to start if you’re into murder-mystery or break out Monopoly if you’re looking to take a risk and test your friendship in high times of stress. Get creative and make new rules or challenges to put a spin on these classics!
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Find something your friends have been really looking forward to doing and have put off. Now’s the time to do it! Head to the Longmeadow Shops and buy that stylish pair of ankle boots you’ve been eyeing at Francesca's, and while you’re there, enjoy a fresh trim or manicure next door at Oksana Salon & Spa. Sit back, relax, and do what you love with your best pals. That’s the real treat.
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Go out to your favorite restaurant and order a mega appetizer you’ve all been craving, or stay in and cook an epic meal together. Have breakfast for dinner--make stacks of pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, and more! Don’t forget to add the whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and syrup for your waffles and pancakes. For dessert, create your own ice cream sundaes and compete to see who has the best toppings. There is a saying of having too many cooks in the kitchen, but that’s not true when all the cooks are your best friends, creating your favorite junk food masterpieces.
We all have those songs we can’t help but jam out to--belting out every lyric as if performing live in concert. And then there are the ones that have choreographed dance routines. This Galentine’s Day, you and your pals can create a playlist of all of those show-stopping numbers. You can make it on Spotify and share with each other, or burn a copy on a CD for all of you to have in your car. Anything that will help you remember and appreciate your amazing lady friends who have great taste in music! An even better spin on this project is to create a soundtrack to each other’s lives as if it were a funny rom-com or action film. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even find new genres or artists you really like that you haven’t heard of before.
On February 13th, if you decide to go out, stay in, or make crafts, just remember the point of Galentine’s Day is not about what you do, but rather the company you have. No matter how you celebrate, the important thing about this day is appreciating friendships and bringing people together.
What are you doing this Galentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments if you’re celebrating and what you and your friends have planned!
