February means love is in the air - no matter what kind of love it is.
While we traditionally associate the second month of the year with Valentine's Day, a holiday reserved for recognizing romantic relationships, we are approaching the 14th anniversary of a different February celebration that honors another kind of love.
Galentine's Day was first introduced as a plot in TV series "Parks and Recreation" back in 2010, inspiring years of real-life celebrations that have become increasingly popular. Meant as a day for platonic love between friends, especially female friends, people have developed traditions around the 13th of February, often including waffles, mimosas and boozy brunch.
Galentine's Day is a play on Valentine's Day dedicated to celebrating a different kind of love - friendship. The unofficial holiday falls on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's, and specifically encourages women to get together with their female friends and honor the power of female friendship.
It is not necessarily an anti-Valentine's Day. You don't have to be single or forgo celebrating the 14th to party on Galentine's - you simply have to have some gal friends you want to show your appreciation for.
Galentine's Day always falls the day before Valentine's Day. This year, that's on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024.
What are the origins of Galentine's Day?
We have the cult-favorite sitcom "Parks & Recreation" to thank for the unofficial holiday. Protagonist and feminist icon Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, invented the holiday in Season 2, episode 16 of the series, aptly titled 'Galentine's Day.'
In the episode, Leslie and her friends forgo traditional Valentine's celebrations in favor of a day meant to honor female friendship. Leslie and company enjoy a brunch in what Leslie calls "only the best day of the year."
"Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies," she tells the camera.
How to celebrate Galentine's Day
What you do to honor the day is up to you and your besties. It's all about sharing appreciation for your gal pals in a way that makes everyone feel valued. We do have a few ideas to offer, however, if you're still brainstorming.
Celebrate it just like the original group and plan a brunch. Make a reservation at a local breakfast spot and enjoy bottomless mimosas if you can find them.
Invite your friend group over for a movie night in. Make some heart-shaped cookies, pink drinks, pop some popcorn, wear some PJs and watch some on-theme movies. We suggest some classics like "Steel Magnolias," "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," "Bridesmaids," "Hidden Figures," and "Now and Then."
Set up a spa day to share some pampering. Make appointments for a day of massages and treatments at an actual spa and lounge or buy some at-home face masks, foot soaks, manicure kits and hair masks.
Get out and do a planned activity together. A wine tasting, cooking class, paint and sip, dance class, whatever tickles your group's fancy.
No, we're not talking about Valentine's Day, but Galentine's Day. What is Galentine's Day, you ask? So glad you did. Falling each year on February 13th—yes, the day before Valentine's Day—Galentine's Day is basically the friendship version of V-Day.
Galentine's Day is probably the most famous V-Day alternative. It comes the day before Valentine's Day and it's set aside to celebrate your BFFs rather than your lover.
Treat yourself (and your friends) to a delicious meal by hosting a potluck or tasting party. You can make it extra special by following a Valentine's Day theme, including heart-shaped foods, red and pink foods only or dishes you each love.
Galentine's Day is a play on Valentine's Day dedicated to celebrating a different kind of love - friendship. The unofficial holiday falls on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's, and specifically encourages women to get together with their female friends and honor the power of female friendship.
Palentine's Day is a global holiday celebrating friendships and every other form of platonic love. It is celebrated annually on February 13, but can be observed on February 14 as well, and complements Valentine's Day, which celebrates romantic love.
It is called Guylentine's Day. Guylentine's Day is to be celebrated the day after Valentine's Day, February 15, and what better year to start this new tradition than on a Saturday, which everyone knows are for the boys.
February 13 is the day to gather your gals together to celebrate friendship with festive flair. The best Galentine's Day ideas incorporate things your friends love into the day, like thoughtful Galentine's day gifts, a delicious meal or an adventure. Ready to learn how to host a Galentine's Day party for the ages?
What is Galentine's/Palentine's Day? Galentine's and Palentine's Day are like Valentine's Day, except instead of celebrating love with your significant other, you spend the day enjoying and appreciating the bond you have with your closest and best friends.
So this Valentine's Day, whether you are in a romantic relationship or not, take the time to appreciate everyone who makes your life special. You do not have to date someone to truly care about them. On a day meant to celebrate love, let's celebrate the multitude of love that can and do exist in our community.
Galentine's Day is all about gathering the girls in celebration of female friendship. There are no strict rules when it comes to Galentine's Day festivities. Some choose to go the original path that is based on the television show.
Malentine's day is a day for men to meet up and celebrate their amazing friendship. It is a happy, celebratory day, the male equivalent of Galentine's day.
Just as one can be someone's valentine on Valentine's Day, so one can be a galentine on Galentine's Day, e.g., “Will you be my galentine?” As such, a galentine is a playful, affectionate term for a close friend.
Just as one can be someone's valentine on Valentine's Day, so one can be a galentine on Galentine's Day, e.g., “Will you be my galentine?” As such, a galentine is a playful, affectionate term for a close friend.
“We've got all the love we need.” “There are some problems chocolate can't solve — that's where friends like you come in.” “No one could ever take your place — and no one's ever going to!”
In Finnish, Valentine's Day is called ystävänpäivä (literally “Friend's Day”) and, like the name says, the idea is to celebrate friendship. Ystävänpäivä in Finland is a public declaration of friendship.
I love you, friend, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Happy Valentine's Day! Here's to a Valentine's Day filled with good wine, good food, and especially good friends like you. Thank you for standing by my side through thick and thin, my forever friend.
Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy
Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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