8 Ways To Celebrate Galentine’s Day Like Leslie Knope
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Most people tend to love or hate Valentine’s Day. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter if you’re in a relationship or not when February 14th rolls around. Sure, the candy aisles at the grocery store are all pink and full of hearts, but that doesn’t always sit right with people.
However, you don’t have to avoid the celebration; instead (or in addition to) you can celebrate Galentine’s Day. If you love your friends, parties, or gift giving, this holiday is a light-hearted one that can lead to lots of laughs and memories.
What Is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is a celebration similar to the traditional Valentine’s Day, but is focused on female friendships, rather than a romantic partnership. It can also be more of a friendship holiday, as well, so don’t be shy about inviting all your good pals, regardless of gender.
Galentine’s is celebrated on February 13th, (the day just before Valentine’s Day) and is a day dedicated to the love you have for your friends. This means you can celebrate with just about anyone—single or taken. It is a day filled with the celebration of friendship and the joys that come with it, spending time doing the activities that you can enjoy together. After all, there are many kinds of love, not just romantic.
““Oh, it’s 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. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst, plus frittatas.””
What Is The Meaning Of Galentine’s Day?
While many movies, television shows, and friends have celebrated an alternative form of Valentine’s Day, the first time the phrase “Galentine’s Day” was coined was on the TV show, Parks and Recreation, when it first aired in 2010 (Season 2, Episode 16 “Operation Ann” for those wanting to skip right to the reference). The gift-loving character of Leslie Knope, played by comedian Amy Poehler, gave this holiday its name and date, as they had an entire episode dedicated to the concept.
Since the Parks & Rec episode aired, the unofficial holiday has become a seasonal staple. In fact, over 50% of Americans say that they celebrate the day. (Parks & Recreation also created the infamous “Treat Yo Self'' phrase, an episode where Tom & Donna go on a guilt-free shopping spree—Season 4, Episode 4 if you’re wondering.)
Galentine’s Day Gifts & Ideas For 2023
Take part in this celebration of friends in 2023 as a way to brighten up your year! After all, the purest form of love is friendship. Here are some ideas you can use to make the most of your Galentine’s Day celebration this year.
Get Crafty
DIY Galentine’s Day gifts for each other. Imagine that you are back in elementary school and passing out Valentines to your classmates. Decorate the cards together and try to come up with your own Valentine's puns. You can also order a unique craft to do from Etsy. You can go the nostalgic route with your crafts and make friendship bracelets or anklets and other crafts from your childhood. Or, you can also learn a new craft together.
There are thousands of Valentine’s Day crafts on YouTube or Pinterest, but you can also find the latest DIY project that your friends would like to do together. This can be a fun bonding activity and gets you in that celebratory mood and gives you the space to share memories while crafting together.
Our ideas:
Image: Etsy
DIY Candle-Making Set
Pop Shop America
Image: Etsy
Heart String Craft Kit
Whisker Works
Image: Etsy
Little Hearts Needle Felt Kit
Sageland Inspirations
Sip Some Wine, Specialty Cocktails, Or Mocktails
Spice the Galentine’s Day up with some adult beverages, a shared activity that can be done in person or virtually. One great way to incorporate an activity into your drinking is to buy a wine sampler. If you are celebrating together, have everyone bring a bottle of wine or a type of liquor to share. Pretend you are wine sommeliers and describe the “notes” of the wine, what you would rate it, and anything else that you think is memorable about the drink.
More of a cocktail person? Take a virtual mixology class together to channel your inner bartender or have everyone make mini versions of their favorite cocktail for the group. This is a fun way to make something together that you’ll also get to enjoy immediately after.
Don’t drink alcohol? After all, there is more to life than getting tipsy! There are numerous non-alcoholic options available, ranging from margs to wine to beer alternatives. Or, ditch the mocktails completely! Instead, get creative in the kitchen by challenging each other to create smoothies with unusual ingredients.
Our Non-Alcoholic Ideas:
Image: Amazon
Mai Tai Drink Kit
The Cocktail Box Co.
Image: Recess
Image: Ghia
Le Spritz
Ghia
Image: Amazon
Moscow Mule Mugs
The Cocktail Box Co.
Take A Workout Class Together
Get your endorphins flowing with a little exercise. You can look up workouts online and do them from your living room. Or, you and your friends can take turns leading a class, group fitness style. Misery loves company, so push each other to finish the class as a team, and mix up the movement with yoga, dancing, jumping, and other formats that feel good for your body.
You’ll feel accomplished after, and being with friends can make the time at an in-person class fly by. Maybe even try out an exercise that is new to you, like barre, Pilates, or meditation. Change it up and take on this new experience together. (Plus, who says you can’t enjoy those cocktails above after?)
Our Ideas:
Image: Amazon
Water Bottle Bag
Wanderfull
Foundational Yoga Class
Donna Farhi
““If you look inside your bags you will find a few things. A bouquet of hand crocheted flower pens, a mosaic portrait of each of you made from the crushed bottles of your favorite diet soda and a personalized 5,000-word essay of why you are all so awesome.””
Movie Night Watching Rom-Coms
You probably each have your favorite romantic movie, so why not binge them all? Heartwarming and light, romantic comedies are the perfect way to celebrate your Galentine’s Day together. You can also do this virtually, too, with long-distance friends, by using streaming services like Netflix Party. For even more fun, watch a romantic comedy that you know is over-the-top bad. You can laugh at it together and get endless joy out of the cringe-worthy scenarios that take place.
Feeling extra sassy? Make a drinking game out of it at home! You can find many drinking games for some of the most popular movies online, including those in the Rom-Com genre.
Our Ideas:
Image: Amazon
Image: Nordstrom
Classic Silk Pajamas
Nordstrom
Meet For Brunch
If your schedules align best in the morning, meet up for brunch at your favorite restaurant. Nothing beats a good meal with good company. Use this time together to celebrate accomplishments and big wins from the past year, tell stories of your favorite friendship moments, and exchange little gifts or cards (if you’re feeling crafty).
Potluck Brunch Or Dinner
If going out for a meal is too much of a hassle, gather everyone together for a potluck brunch or dinner. Making food for loved ones is a love language all of its own, and it’s a great way to show off your cooking and baking skills. You can pick a theme, like only red and pink foods, or cook whatever your heart desires. If you go this route, be sure to ask if people have any dietary restrictions/allergies/preferences so that everyone can equally participate when it’s time to sit down for the meal.
Our Ideas:
Image: Amazon
Nonstick Bakeware Set
Caraway
Image: Nordstrom
Enamel Cast Iron Brazier
Le Creuset
Secret Cupid
Similar to Secret Santa, have everyone pick a random person ahead of the event. Galentine’s Day gifts can be simple: chocolates, a stuffed animal, or a silly present inspired by Valentine’s Day gifts to match that person’s personality. This is a cute way to liven up your Galentine’s Day celebration, and it works great if you and your friends know each other well!
Our Ideas:
Image: Amazon
Valentine's Day Plush
Squishmallow
Image: Amazon
Alarm Clock On Wheels
Clocky
Image: Amazon
Become A Florist For A Day
A fun outdoor activity, have everyone bring one bouquet of flowers. Lay all the flowers out on a table and design your own unique bouquets with your choice of flowers. You can either make a bouquet for yourself or, like Secret Cupid, make the bouquets for each other. You can even look up the meaning of different flowers. In Victorian times, each flower had a special meaning that would communicate a very important message. Pair flowers accordingly to create the right message with your bouquet, or simply make a bouquet based on color!
““You know my code: hoes before bros. Uteruses before duderuses…Ovaries before brovaries.””
Host A Photoshoot
Take film photos or Polaroids so that each of you can have a physical picture to remember the holiday. You can make so many lasting memories by hanging out with your friends in this way, sharing the love of Galentine’s Day. You can also invest in a photo printer for day-of shots. Why not document it?
Another fun idea is to do a photoshoot day, like the Picture Day you had back in high school. Buy or rent a photo backdrop—or make one of your own—and have everyone pose for a new school photo. You can incorporate props, people’s career items, and so on. The best part is that everyone can have as many takes as they need, so let the photos be silly and expressive.
Our Ideas:
Image: Urban Outfitters
Instamax Mini 12
FujiFilm
Image: Amazon