Christie O’Sullivan, hailing from Trinity, Florida, has been with her husband for 21 years, yet her most cherished celebration was one she shared with a girlfriend prior to her marriage.
They took a day off from work, indulged in massages, and went out for cocktails and a fancy dinner.
“For me, it was a perfect 10. That entire day was purposeful,” said O’Sullivan. She recalls it as empowering “on a day that typically brings pressure to be in a relationship or sadness if you’re not currently in one.”
Galentine’s Day became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to a 2010 episode of the TV comedy “Parks and Recreation,” which celebrated female friendships around Valentine’s Day. Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, gathered her female friends on February 13.
“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s simply the best day of the year,” said Knope.
Galentine’s Day can, of course, take place any day of the year. Whether on February 13 or another date, here are some ways to craft a fun-filled experience:
Making it a party
Chela Pappaccioli, from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has been hosting a Galentine’s Day party at her home for the past three years. She hires a bartender and a DJ, and this year invited 45 of her closest friends. As of now, 34 have confirmed, and she is putting together gift bags for guests to take home. Men are not allowed “unless the bartender happens to be male.”
The event might be lavish, but Pappaccioli asserts it’s worth it.
“It’s a getaway to simply be with your girlfriends, be playful, have fun, and focus on the friendships you’ve built and savoring each other’s company,” she says.
Learning how to do something new
Liz Momblanco, from Berkley, Michigan, who refers to herself as a “serial hobbyist,” invites her friends to attend classes such as cookie and cake decorating, calligraphy, and stained glass.
“I love learning something new and having a shared experience,” said Momblanco, who has attended women’s day retreats that feature activities like floral arranging, yoga, or a cold plunge.
Marney Wolf, who operates the retreat company Luna Wolf, states that offering opportunities for art and creativity fosters community.
“It connects you, whether it’s a small or deeply meaningful activity. You see these adult women revert to a childlike, kindergarten-like reaction, saying, ‘Oh my gosh! Good job! You’re so talented!’ That little boost is the simplest thing to achieve,” she said.
Filling a Valentine’s void
Wolf makes sure to schedule Galentine’s-themed retreats around Valentine’s Day because some women
“I know it can be a very lonely period for people, and I think some overlook that,” she says.
Pappaccioli mentioned that a few divorced friends attend her party, adding, “even if you’re married, it can be disheartening if your husband isn’t doing what you hope or your boyfriend isn’t supporting you as you’d like,” she says.
“It’s reassuring to know you don’t need that. You can still celebrate the holiday, just shift it a bit and honor the relationships you choose to,” she says.
Creating different kinds of bonds
Galentine’s Day gatherings can form new friendships. Spending quality time with a friend offers a chance to put phones aside, avoid distractions, and create memories.
O’Sullivan works as a social media strategist for businesses, yet she values that her best Galentine’s Day was spent without cellphones.
“We could be completely present—no photos, no texts, nothing,” she says.
“So even though there’s no physical record of that day, it also means the details became a core memory without one.”
Some celebrate Galentine’s Day by simply going out for coffee or playing cards. You might join a group of female friends for a play, museum visit, hike, or workout class.
Other ideas include thrift store shopping, country line dancing, roller skating, karaoke, junk journaling, and getting manicures and pedicures.