If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Galentine’s Day, you’re missing out.
Galentine’s Day was created in 2010 by the fictional character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) on NBC's Parks and Recreation. In the episode, which originally aired on February 11, 2010, Knope gathers her best lady friends and takes them for a brunch overflowing with waffles, mimosas, and female friendship.
Knope explains, “Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style.”
Just like that, everybody’s favorite fake holiday was born—though I’m also pretty partial to National Bagel Day, too.
Why We Should Celebrate Our Favorite "Gals"
Female friendship is a beautiful thing. I recently read Kayleen Schaefer’s female friendship manifesto, Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship. This book is a love letter to female friendship, chronicling some of the most iconic female friendships in and out of pop culture. It also explains the author’s sordid history with female friendships—and how it took her until her mid-20s to realize how crucial these friendships are for a woman—for every woman.
Text Me When You Get Home also illustrates the fierce protection we feel for our most cherished female friends. These are the friends who organize an email chain when your dad is sick (Lydia, I love you), who sneak into your apartment building to leave you an embarrassing display of love on the real Valentine’s Day (hi, Michelle!), and snail-mail you a Les Misérables pin from the 80s just because (hey Sarah).
And these lady friendships aren’t always just ladies. You didn’t think I would leave you out, did you, Dave? These can also be the friends who will scoop up your broken heart and take it to Palm Springs, where they listen to all of your complaining about your ex. In short, these friends are there for you even when they might be 3,000 miles away.
We need to celebrate our gal friends because they are often our backbones. They’re just as available to lend a listening ear when things are rough as they are to cheer you on through some of your most monumental upswings.
I couldn’t go a day without our group chats, inside jokes, or belly laughs about nothing. Here are a few ways we can take this Galentine’s Day (or any day of the year) and celebrate our favorite gal pals.
1. Go Traditional (Flowers + Chocolate)
If you want to be the classic Valentine—err, Galentine—you can go the traditional route by gifting chocolate, flowers, candles, and other feel-good items. Here are a few ideas.
2. Give The Best Gift (Spoiler Alert: It's Books!)
You know we love a good book list here at Career Contessa, so of course, we’re going to suggest books! Gift your Galentine the last book you just couldn’t put down. Or better yet, give her a few options by gifting her a couple of months of a book (or audiobook) subscription.
Psst, you can even start a book club together :)
3. Create a Fun Day of Surprises
What’s better than one gift? A day full of surprises. Here’s the thing. You don’t need to buy your Galentine’s love. The beautiful thing about all of our best gals is that we have this unconditional love—no matter what. So, you can show her your love by planning a day full of surprises. Here are a few ideas:
- A picnic in your favorite park (and an excuse to get this picnic basket)
- Go ice skating together
- Visit a local theme park
- Maybe even go-kart racing to let out your inner child
If you're not into childlike activities, plan a beautiful hike with some well-timed sunset friendship selfies at the end.
4. Send Her Favorite Dinner, Delivery Style!
If your Galentine is a homebody, lives far away, or is under the weather, send her favorite dinner to her house. Apps like DoorDash or Postmates make it easy to surprise your loved ones with tasty treats no matter where they live.
When my best friend (and honorary gal pal) Dave, has a bad day or a special occasion, I like to send him a platter of mozzarella sticks to show him how much I love him.
5. Get Her a Big Fat Water Bottle!
I know that Stanley cups are the be-all and end-all, but I do love a HydroFlask. If your best Galentine needs to up her hydration game, consider treating herself to the gift of hydration!
6. Get a Workout Pass (+ Maybe Sweat Together?)
Don't go this route if your Galentine hates working out. However, if you love trying new workout classes—maybe some aerial yoga or a dance class—then try one together.
Most gyms have first-time discounts or bring-a-friend incentives. If you've been attending a virtual gym lately, get her a pass to join you over Zoom. You can still get a serious case of the giggles, even when you're not in the same room.
7. Take a Class Together
What's a better time than taking a pottery or painting class? Probably taking it with some of your best friends! Whether your speed is a daytime stint on the pottery wheel or a nighttime painting class with copious amounts of wine, take a completely new class with your favorite Galentine. Even if you are awful at painting or throwing clay, take this time to learn a new skill and have some laughs together.
You can also take classes to improve yourselves from the inside—and do it together. We highly recommend teaming up with your bestie to take The Confidence Crunch. You can both hold each other accountable to loving yourselves (end each other, duh!) from within.
8. Netflix Night
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re looking for a night in with your favorite Galentine, maybe it’s time to binge that show or watch that cheesy rom-com for the thousandth time.
Order a pizza in, slap on some face masks, and watch that scene in the rain from The Notebook on repeat.
9. Replace That One Item
Every friend has a t-shirt, an old pair of shoes, or a pair of hole-y leggings that they just can’t seem to quit. Do your Galentine a favor by replacing the old with something new.
If she has a colony of holes in her most treasured leggings from 10th grade, replace them with these Girlfriend leggings (hey, if the name fits, right?). She will never look back.
10. Treat Her to an Online Class
Unlike a pottery class or hip hop dance class, you can treat your friend to a class to amp up her skills, empower her career, or finally teach her how to use Adobe Illustrator—because she has been wanting to for years and years. Consider treating your pal to an online class that helps her develop her dream skill sets.
Check out Master Class, Skillshare, Career Contessa, and edX for online courses to gift your favorite Galentine!
11. Two Words: Spa Day
There's nothing quite like a dedicated spa day. Unfortunately, they tend to cost a pretty penny. Treat your favorite Galentine (or Galentines) to an at-home spa day. Here's how to DIY your own special spa day at your own home.
- Silk Weighted Sleep Mask
- Aromatherapy Diffuser + Essential Oil Set
- Blackout Window Curtains (because you were probably looking for an excuse to buy a set, anyway)
- Fruit Infusion Pitcher to replicate that fancy fruit-infused spa water
12. Buy or Make an Old-Fashioned Friendship Bracelet
The friendship bracelet is a classic sign of real, unbreakable friendship straight from our days at summer camp. Even if you never mastered the art of the box knot friendship bracelet, you can treat your Galentine to a variety of cute-but-elegant friendship totems. Here are a few I love:
- This personalized friendship bracelet from BaubleBar
- This gold vermeil heart locket from Monica Vinader
13. Write a Love Letter
Again, you don’t have to buy your Galentine’s love. It’s rare that we sit and think about why we actually love our best friends. It’s even rarer to put pen to paper to express why. This Galentine’s Day, write your best gal a love letter that explains why you cherish her friendship, the warmth she brings to your life, and how much you appreciate her.
If you want to use stunning stationery to write your message, we’ve got you covered, too. Here’s some pretty stationery on which to write your declaration of friend love!
