How To throw the Ultimate Galentine’s Day Celebration
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance anymore. Thanks to the TV series, Parks and Recreation, we now have Galentine’s Day—a day dedicated to celebrating female friendships. What started as a fictional holiday in 2010 has grown into a real-life tradition, giving women a chance to appreciate and uplift each other. The term, “Galentine’s Day,” was first introduced by Parks and Rec’s, Leslie Knope, who proclaimed it as:
“Every February 13th, 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.”
Since then, the idea has exploded with women across the world embracing it as a day to shower their friends with love, laughter, and maybe a mimosa (or two).
Why Celebrate Galentine’s Day?
Female friendships are powerful! Strong friendships do more than just provide emotional support—they improve mental health, boost confidence, and even contribute to a life filled with longevity. Research from Harvard Health shows that close social connections reduce stress and enhance overall well-being (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). It’s also a refreshing alternative to Valentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day offers a stress-free, fun-filled way to celebrate relationships that don’t always get the spotlight.
Women Supporting Women Is More Important Than Ever
In an era where female empowerment is at the forefront, Galentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to appreciate the women in your life—whether it’s your best friends, sisters, or even coworkers. So, whether you’re single, taken, or just love an excuse to throw a cute get-together, here’s everything you need to know about Galentine’s Day and how to make it unforgettable!
Choose a Theme
A theme makes everything more fun (and Instagram-worthy).
1. Choose a Theme
A theme makes everything more fun (and Instagram-worthy). Here are some ideas:
• Brunch & Mimosas – Classic Parks and Rec vibes with waffles, pancakes, and bottomless drinks.
• Rom-Com Marathon – Decorate with fairy lights and binge-watch fun rom coms. A few of my favorites are 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, or Love and Other Disasters.
2. Plan Fun Activities
Keep the energy high with a mix of chill and interactive activities like a DIY Spa Night like face masks, mani-pedis, and a cozy yet upbeat vibe. Another option involves making friendship bracelets– Inspired by the Eras Tour trend, these are both stylish and sentimental. Blind wine tasting or chocolate tasting is another fun twist on sweet treats.
3. Add Thoughtful Touches
Go the extra mile with personalized details:
• Mini goodie bags with perfume samples, candy, and handwritten notes. Stores like Dillards and JCPenney have samples you could add to customize to each bag!
• Custom wine glasses or matching PJs for a fun and photo-ready moment.
• A gratitude circle where everyone shares something they love about their friendships.
Galentine’s Day isn’t just about cute aesthetics, though those are a bonus, it’s about recognizing the incredible women in your life and making time to celebrate them.
Whether you go big with an elaborate brunch or keep it simple with a playful themed movie night, what matters most is showing appreciation for the friendships that make life sweet.
