What is Galentine's Day? Ideas for celebrating the Valentine's Day alternative with your besties (2024)

February means love is in the air - no matter what kind of love it is.

While we traditionally associate the second month of the year with Valentine's Day, a holiday reserved for recognizing romantic relationships, we are approaching the 14th anniversary of a different February celebration that honors another kind of love.

Galentine's Day was first introduced as a plot in TV series "Parks and Recreation" back in 2010, inspiring years of real-life celebrations that have become increasingly popular. Meant as a day for platonic love between friends, especially female friends, people have developed traditions around the 13th of February, often including waffles, mimosas and boozy brunch.

Wondering what it's all about? Looking for ideas to plan the best Galentine's Day yet? We've got you covered.

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What is Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day is a play on Valentine's Day dedicated to celebrating a different kind of love - friendship. The unofficial holiday falls on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine's, and specifically encourages women to get together with their female friends and honor the power of female friendship.

It is not necessarily an anti-Valentine's Day. You don't have to be single or forgo celebrating the 14th to party on Galentine's - you simply have to have some gal friends you want to show your appreciation for.

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When is Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day always falls the day before Valentine's Day. This year, that's on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024.

What are the origins of Galentine's Day?

We have the cult-favorite sitcom "Parks & Recreation" to thank for the unofficial holiday. Protagonist and feminist icon Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, invented the holiday in Season 2, episode 16 of the series, aptly titled 'Galentine's Day.'

In the episode, Leslie and her friends forgo traditional Valentine's celebrations in favor of a day meant to honor female friendship. Leslie and company enjoy a brunch in what Leslie calls "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," she tells the camera.

How to celebrate Galentine's Day

What you do to honor the day is up to you and your besties. It's all about sharing appreciation for your gal pals in a way that makes everyone feel valued. We do have a few ideas to offer, however, if you're still brainstorming.

• Celebrate it just like the original group and plan a brunch. Make a reservation at a local breakfast spot and enjoy bottomless mimosas if you can find them.
• Invite your friend group over for a movie night in. Make some heart-shaped cookies, pink drinks, pop some popcorn, wear some PJs and watch some on-theme movies. We suggest some classics like "Steel Magnolias," "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," "Bridesmaids," "Hidden Figures," and "Now and Then."
• Set up a spa day to share some pampering. Make appointments for a day of massages and treatments at an actual spa and lounge or buy some at-home face masks, foot soaks, manicure kits and hair masks.
• Get out and do a planned activity together. A wine tasting, cooking class, paint and sip, dance class, whatever tickles your group's fancy.