Sure, Valentine's Day may get a lot of attention, with stores everywhere suddenly festooned in red and pink decorations and stocked with an overwhelming supply of chocolates. But it’s the day before — Galentine's Day — that really has our heart.
Galentine’s Day (or Palentine’s Day) may be a niche holiday, but it's a beloved one. As Merriam-Webster defines it, Galentine's Day is “a holiday observed on February 13 as a time to celebrate friendships, especially among women.”
The holiday began in 2010, inspired by the NBC show Parks and Recreation, per PEOPLE. In the show, Galentine's Day was a day in which Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) would gather with her best gal pals over breakfast. Leslie would also present each friend with custom gifts and a special essay to express her appreciation for them.
While going over the top is not required for a successful Galentine’s Day celebration, you may be looking for fun and creative ways to honor your best friends. Have a toast to long-lasting friendship with these 15 Galentine's Day ideas.
Candle Making
Gather your pals together and make candles in the comfort of your home by purchasing a candle making kit — or sign up for a local class. It’s a great way to bond, and you each get to go home with a candle to light later. Plus, every time you light it, you can think of your friends.
Cake Baking and Decorating Night
Invite the crew over for a night of baking and cake-decorating. Want to go the lazy route? Buy premade cupcakes and simply have a spread of icings, sprinkles, and other goodies to top your treats with.
Take a Dance Class
Instead of a way-too-late night out at the club, enjoy some heart-pumping cardio at a local dance studio. Take a class in ballet, hip-hop, ballet class, or modern dance. Learn some new choreography and challenge your bodies.
Do a Sound Bath
Want to take a more mindful approach to Galentine’s Day? Slow down your minds and sit in stillness while taking in the healing vibrations of a sound bath. You and your crew will leave feeling super relaxed.
Paint-by-Number
The good news about painting by number is that you need zero artistic ability to walk away with a gorgeous painting. Find a print you like online and have everyone meet at your place to get artsy together.
Hit Up a Driving Range
Grab your golf clubs (or rent them at the range) and hit the links. Can’t do it outdoors? Find an indoor range like TopGolf to show off your swing.
Play Paintball or Laser Tag
Book a slot at a local paintball field or laser tag park, and let yourself feel like a kid again. Not only will you and your friends be able to get competitive with each other, it will guarantee laughs and memories.
Take a Cooking Class
By the end of taking a cooking class together, your crew will be culinary experts on a favorite dish. Love Italian food? Find a pasta-making class. Is Asian cuisine your favorite? Book a sushi-making class and nosh on your creations together.
Visit an Escape Room
Put your heads together and work collaboratively through an escape room. Add an element of competition by putting together a prize for the winners.
Take a Hot Yoga Class
The cold mid-February temps have nothing on a heated yoga studio. You and your friends will sweat buckets, and you can celebrate your session with some fresh-pressed juices afterward.
Plan a Hike
Throw on your hiking boots and get your gang outdoors for some fresh air and scenery. Try a new locale or stick to a tried-and-true trail that you all can enjoy in nature together.
Go Ice Skating
Rent some skates at your local rink and bundle up for some time on the ice together. You can grab hot chocolate from the concession stand and catch up with each other in between circuits.
Try Axe Throwing
There’s no better time than Galentine’s Day to try axe throwing with your pals. Book a time slot in advance and see who has the best strength, skill, and aim of your friend group.
Create Vision Boards
Grab that stack of old magazines and turn them into inspiring collages called vision boards. Once you’re done creating, share them and talk about how you can support each other’s goals for the future.
Black-and-White Movie Night
Craving some old Hollywood glamour? Line up a few classic flicks to watch while chilling together. Scope out this comprehensive list of 50 of the best black-and-white movies, courtesy of Variety.
Emily J. Shiffer
Contributing Writer
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. Her work has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide information on various topics. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Galentine's Day
Galentine's Day is a holiday observed on February 13th as a time to celebrate friendships, especially among women. It was popularized by the NBC show Parks and Recreation, where the main character, Leslie Knope, would gather with her female friends for a breakfast celebration. The holiday has gained popularity and is now celebrated by many as a way to honor and appreciate their female friendships.
Candle Making
Candle making is a fun and creative activity that you can do with your friends on Galentine's Day. You can gather your pals together and make candles in the comfort of your home by purchasing a candle making kit or sign up for a local class. It's a great way to bond and create lasting memories. Plus, each person gets to go home with a candle to light later.
Cake Baking and Decorating Night
Another idea for a Galentine's Day celebration is to have a cake baking and decorating night. You can invite your friends over and spend the evening baking delicious cakes or cupcakes. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, you can buy premade cupcakes and have a spread of icings, sprinkles, and other goodies to top your treats with. It's a fun and tasty way to celebrate your friendship.
Take a Dance Class
Instead of a late night out at the club, you and your friends can enjoy some heart-pumping cardio at a local dance studio. Take a class in ballet, hip-hop, or modern dance. It's a great way to learn some new choreography, challenge your bodies, and have a fun time together.
Do a Sound Bath
If you're looking for a more mindful approach to Galentine's Day, you can try doing a sound bath. A sound bath involves sitting in stillness and taking in the healing vibrations of various instruments, such as singing bowls or gongs. It can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience that you and your friends can enjoy together.
Paint-by-Number
Paint-by-number is a creative activity that allows you to create beautiful paintings even if you have zero artistic ability. You can find a print you like online and have everyone meet at your place to get artsy together. It's a fun and relaxing way to spend time with your friends and unleash your inner artist.
Hit Up a Driving Range
If you and your friends enjoy golf or want to try it out, you can grab your golf clubs (or rent them at the range) and hit up a driving range. It's a great opportunity to show off your swing, have some friendly competition, and enjoy each other's company.
Play Paintball or Laser Tag
For a more adventurous and adrenaline-filled Galentine's Day, you can book a slot at a local paintball field or laser tag park. It's a great way to get competitive with your friends, have a lot of fun, and create lasting memories.
Take a Cooking Class
If you and your friends are food enthusiasts, you can consider taking a cooking class together. By the end of the class, you'll be culinary experts on a favorite dish. Whether you love Italian food or Asian cuisine, there are various cooking classes available that cater to different preferences. It's a great way to learn new recipes, bond over food, and enjoy a delicious meal together.
Visit an Escape Room
Put your problem-solving skills to the test by visiting an escape room with your friends. You'll need to work collaboratively to solve puzzles and find clues to escape within a set time limit. It adds an element of excitement and competition to your Galentine's Day celebration.
Take a Hot Yoga Class
If you're looking for a way to warm up during the cold mid-February temperatures, you can try taking a hot yoga class with your friends. It's a great way to sweat, relax, and celebrate your session with some fresh-pressed juices afterward.
Plan a Hike
If you and your friends enjoy the outdoors, you can plan a hike on Galentine's Day. Put on your hiking boots and explore a new locale or stick to a tried-and-true trail that you all can enjoy together. It's a great way to connect with nature and have meaningful conversations while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Go Ice Skating
Rent some skates at your local ice rink and bundle up for some time on the ice with your friends. You can grab hot chocolate from the concession stand and catch up with each other in between circuits. Ice skating is a fun and nostalgic activity that can make your Galentine's Day memorable.
Try Axe Throwing
For a unique and adventurous Galentine's Day experience, you can try axe throwing with your friends. Book a time slot in advance and see who has the best strength, skill, and aim in your friend group. It's a thrilling activity that guarantees laughs and friendly competition.
Create Vision Boards
Vision boards are collages made from old magazines that represent your goals, dreams, and aspirations. You and your friends can create vision boards together by cutting out images and words that inspire you. Afterward, you can share your vision boards and talk about how you can support each other's goals for the future.
Black-and-White Movie Night
If you're in the mood for some old Hollywood glamour, you can plan a black-and-white movie night with your friends. Line up a few classic black-and-white films and enjoy them while chilling together. It's a cozy and nostalgic way to spend Galentine's Day.
I hope these ideas help you plan a memorable Galentine's Day celebration with your friends!
