Even for women feeling secure in their romantic relationships, the importance of maintaining strong female friendships can’t be understated. It’s all too easy to find yourself canceling plans with your girls in favor of another night of Netflix and chill with your boo. It may give you instant gratification, but repeating this behavior has been the end of many friendships throughout history. Thankfully, Parks & Recreation’s popularization of Galentine’s Day has done plenty for the movement of celebrating our gal pals in the ways that they deserve.
What is Galentine’s Day, you may ask? While one Urban Dictionary definition suggests it’s a time “when single women get together to tell each other that being single isn’t really that bad,” the relatively new holiday is so much more than that. Sure, it’s a great occasion for women without lovers in their lives to feel the joy of Valentine’s Day like couples get to, but it’s also the perfect opportunity for anyone busy pouring into their romantic bonds to give their platonic soulmates – and any women they admire – some literal and figurative flowers.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of celebrating Leslie Knope’s favorite occasion but don’t know where to start, let us help you! We’ve come up with a list of perfect girls’ day plans for you and your bestie(s), from expressing your love for each other in heartfelt letters over a delicious brunch to buying gifts that support female-owned businesses.
Baddies Brunch and Exchanging Letters
The busyness of adulthood makes it hard enough to schedule a coffee catch-up session with those closest to you, let alone fully express how grateful you are for their presence in your life. By penning thoughtful letters to each other in your free time, you can remind yourselves of how lucky you are to have such inspiring female forces around you. Exchanging them over brunch at your favorite restaurant (or even trying out somewhere new and exciting) adds an extra level of sweetness to your Galentine’s Day plans. We won’t be surprised if some of you make this an annual tradition after seeing how delicious and empowering it is to acknowledge the beauty of sisterhood together.
Plan a Professional Photoshoot
No matter where you live, it’s not hard to find a professional or aspiring photographer to help you plan the boujee shoot of your dreams. The beauty of doing it with friends by your side is that you’ll save money by splitting the cost, and anyone who’s camera shy will have their biggest cheerleaders close by, uplifting them to ensure everyone involved looks and feels like a million bucks.
Have fun and let your personalities shine through by dressing up as the most inspiring female characters from your childhood, take the opportunity to capture new headshots for your LinkedIn, or keep things interesting by leaving the responsibility of picking out your fit to someone else in the group. There are endless ways to make this idea work for your crew, and Pinterest is the perfect place for you to build a mood board to start you off on the right note.
Give Back to Less Fortunate Women in Your Community
If acts of service are your love language, or if you’ll be celebrating Galentine’s solo, see if there are any opportunities to volunteer at a women’s shelter near you. Giving back is always a wonderful thing to do, but it could also help you connect with other like-minded locals who you can possibly celebrate next year’s holiday in an even more special way with as you develop a friendship.
Female-Owned Business Gift Swap
Speaking of love languages, we know that Valentine’s Day is all about giving cute gifts. Who says the same can’t be true for its sister celebration? Instead of going to the closest drug store and spending $50 on stereotypical chocolate and roses for your nearest and dearest, put some thought into finding a female-owned business you can support.
Candles, jewelry, skin/body care, and art are all awesome to receive. You can also check out talented tarot readers or nail technicians near you and see if they offer gift cards so your friends can get the answers they’ve been seeking from the cosmos, or the set of their dreams thanks to your generosity.
Embrace Your Sensual Side in a Burlesque or Pole Class
Galentine’s Day falls near the end of Aquarius season, which is a time known for injecting some boldness into the energy around us. If you’ve been curious about exploring the world of Burlesque dance, or even the art of pole, there’s no time like the present to book a session at a studio near you.
Having your backup performers in tow will help combat any awkward or insecure feelings that can arise when trying something new. Still, if putting your sensual side on display in public feels uncomfortable, other options like boxing, pilates, hot yoga, or a day of pure relaxation at the spa might be a better fit for you.
Potluck Dinner and Throwback Movie Night
Our final suggestion is perhaps one of the most classic ways to commemorate any occasion with those you love – a potluck dinner. Everyone brings a different dish to share with the group, from bite-sized appetizers perfectly laid out on charcuterie boards to delectable desserts that’ll have you exchanging recipes after just a few bites. While enjoying the tasty food, nostalgic throwback films centred around female friendship are the perfect way to end your night. We suggest Set It Off, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Girls Trip, Aquamarine, and Waiting to Exhale, just to name a few.