
February is synonymous with love, thanks to Valentine’s Day — but Galentine’s Day is giving tradition a run for its money. Celebrated on Feb. 13, this unofficial holiday shines a spotlight on female friendships. Sure, you can toast your besties any day of the year, but this day is all about them.
“Celebrating Galentine’s Day gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the important female friends in our lives and let them know what their love and support mean to us,” says Gabriela DePrima, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in a telehealth private practice serving Florida and PsyPact participating states. “It’s a day to show appreciation and to make memories with the friends who’ve been with us through all of life’s highs and lows and who haven’t wavered in doing so.”
Unlike Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day isn’t a Hallmark creation. It actually originated in an episode of the television show “Parks and Recreation,” where Leslie Knope (played by actress Amy Poehler) hosts a brunch to celebrate her female friends.
“Female friendships play a critical role in our support system and have been shown to improve confidence, coping and emotional well-being,” says DePrima. “[They] can serve us on so many levels, including sharing fun times together, companionship, support, affirmation and mentorship.”
Celebrate however you’d like — there are no rules. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Enjoy A Meal
Host a waffle brunch like Knope did, indulge in a decadent dinner or plan a swanky cocktail party. Add a festive flair with red and pink decor to set the mood.
Watch A Movie
Turn your living room into a mini theater for a movie night with your girlfriends. Serve popcorn and heart-shaped cookies while enjoying timeless classics like “Beaches,” “Steel Magnolias” or “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.”
Make Memories Together
Make this Galentine’s Day unforgettable by crossing something off your collective bucket list. See your favorite artist in concert, try paddleboarding at sunrise, book a cooking class or plan a weekend road trip. Whether it’s big or small, seize the chance to do something you’ve always talked about.
Host A Game Night
Break out the board games and get ready for some friendly competition. Test your trivia skills with Trivial Pursuit, avoid jail in Monopoly or navigate life’s unexpected twists and turns with The Game of Life.
Volunteer
Give back with your girl gang by making a difference in your community. Serve meals at a soup kitchen, create cards for hospital patients or senior center residents or collect nonperishables for a food bank. Sharing acts of kindness adds an extra layer of meaning to the day.