Whether single or taken, Valentine’s Day is a great time to show your gal pals how much they mean to you. This is exactly the sentiment behind Galentine’s Day, an alternative holiday made up by the character Leslie Knope of the television comedy Parks and Rec. Most of us don’t make enough of an effort to show our friends how much they mean to us. (And, let’s be honest, we’ll take any excuse to get together for a girls’ night out!) Show your appreciation this year with one of these 8 ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day.
1. Host a “chick flick” party.
Invite everyone over for a pajama party, but instead of soda and popcorn, provide wine and artisanal pizza! Splurge on the special stuff you never buy for yourself. Put together a fancy cheese platter. Order carryout from your favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Regardless of the food you provide, play romantic comedies (from the decade of your choosing) throughout the night. And don’t forget the chocolate!
2. Make it a spa day.
Have your best friends meet you at an exclusive spa for a day of pampering and catching up. If you can’t afford a day-long event, take them for pedicures. Or, if you’re on a budget, host a spa afternoon in your own home. Provide facemasks, cucumber slices for the eyes, and cucumber-infused water or tea.
3. Invite them to brunch.
Take your friends out for a special brunch. Pick somewhere special with a beautiful atmosphere, like a cozy bistro or farm-to-table cafe, or a swanky restaurant with an Eggs Benedict menu, bottomless mimosas, and specialty coffee drinks. Or if you’d prefer to keep it casual, gather at one of your favorite breakfast spots for pancakes and eggs.
4. Go big with a weekend getaway.
If everyone can make it happen, how awesome does a weekend stay at a hotel (in or out of town) sound? Better yet, try to swing going on a cruise! While this one may take extra planning and certainly requires each person to foot her own bill, time away from the “real world” could be fabulous!
5. Invite them to a painting/craft party.
B.Y.O.B. painting and art studios are popping up everywhere. Bring some wine and invite the ladies to a night of crafting, even if they aren’t the most artistically talented. These outing are therapeutic and more importantly, they’re fun!
6. Take a cooking class together.
Learn something new with a baking or cooking class that’s actually fun when taken with friends! If nothing else, you’ll laugh over how unskilled you are in the kitchen.
7. Host a “passion party.”
No, nothing kinky will happen, I promise! At these adult toy parties, a consultant brings her inventory over to your house and hosts a class explaining what each item is, answering questions and engaging the crowd in games (Yes, free stuff is given away!). Laughter abounds at these parties, and everyone learns something new in a safe environment.
8. Bake treats for your besties.
It doesn’t take a lot of money to show your pals how grateful you are. Bake brownies or cookies, put them in Valentine’s Day-themed cellophane bags, and surprise your best friends. Whether they got a delivery of roses at work or not, you’ll have provided them with something special to show them they weren’t forgotten, and that there is more than one way to love.
In Conclusion
No matter how you choose to celebrate Galentine’s Day, make sure it’s something that involves quality time spent with the women who mean the most to you. Whether it’s an afternoon of pampering at the spa or a weekend away on a cruise, your friends will be grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity! And don’t forget: no girls’ night is complete without chocolate! Give that special someone in your life (and yourself!) a few extra hugs this Galentine’s Day. Happy celebrating!
