Scoot over Valentine’s Day, we’re getting together with our best friends and celebrating Galentine’s Day. Start marking your calendar because we’ve got the entire day booked. We’re starting with brunch, next is a little home spa time, and finally a comfy movie marathon with dessert! And no, we didn’t forget about the bubbly!
What and when is Galentine's Day?
Galentine’s Day, while closely related to Valentines Day, focuses on female friendships and quality time with those closest to you.” It’s typically celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. However, it can be celebrated before or after the 13th.
No need to dress up or go to a fancy restaurant like couples do on Valentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day is much more relaxed – partly because you can show up in your PJs. It’s an unofficial holiday to celebrate friendships and spend quality time together.
While Galentine’s Day isn’t an official holiday on the calendar, we think it’s equally important as Valentine’s Day. Plus, it’s super fun to get all your friends together, eat yummy foods, exchange gifts, pour a glass of bubbly or two, and celebrate each other.
Where did Galentine's Day come from?
Galentine’s Day has a unique origin, its inception doesn’t come from a company or any historical moment. The fake (yet very important) holiday comes from an episode of Parks and Recreation, a popular sitcom that follows Leslie Knope and other characters in a fictional government office of Pawnee, Indiana. In the episode “Galentine’s Day,” Leslie Knope gets all her girlfriends together to celebrate their friendship with brunch. Serving up waffles and love on February 13, a day before Valentine’s Day. It was a hit! Galentine’s Day is now celebrated amongst friends
How do I celebrate Galentine's Day?
There aren’t any specific things you must do when celebrating Galentine’s Day. We like to think it’s a day with no big expectations. It’s a day to gather with your best friends and enjoy each other’s company. While Galentine’s Day originally was a “ladies celebrating ladies” event, feel free to invite friends of any gender. Although we don’t have any set rules for Galentine’s Day celebrations, we have a few recommendations to make it the best day of the year, or at least one of them!
Give Each Other Gifts or Set Up a Secret Cupid Exchange
Galentine’s Day is the perfect day to spoil your friends. Give each friend a personalized gift or set up a “Secret Cupid” gift exchange, where each friend is given one person to buy a gift. There’s no need for extravagant gifts, just meaningful ones. Gifts of flowers, wine, chocolate, and gift cards always go over well. And while gifts are certainly not a must, they’re a fun addition.
Galentine's Day Brunch
In our opinion, Galentine’s Day isn’t complete without brunch! It’s a perfect time to invite your friends to your home and share delicious food.
Bubbly Bubbly Mimosas
The quintessential Galentine’s Day cocktail (at least in our opinion)! Mimosas are as easy to make as they are to drink. They combine equal parts (debatable to many) sparkling wine like champagne and fruit juice.
Champagne Recommendations
We always recommend picking up Brut or Extra-Dry champagne for mimosa making. That way, your mimosa’s sweetness is balanced with the sugar from the fruit juice.
Fruit Juice Recommendations
Mimosas can be made with any and every type of fruit juice. If you have the time to spare, squeezing your own juice makes for the very best mimosas. However, picking up ready-to-go juice works just as well.
Shop for Your Favorite Bubbly
Galentine's Day Spa
Galentine’s Day should be a day of relaxation with your favorite gal pals. What better way to unwind and relax together than by having a mini spa session? Great company and self-care are a great combination for feeling refreshed and rejuvenated! Here’s what we recommend for the best spa sesh:
Light Candles and Set Out Fragrant Flowers
Create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere for your at-home spa session by lighting candles and setting out fragrant flowers. The warm glow of candles can provide a sense of calm and tranquility, while the aroma of fresh flowers can help to uplift your mood and create a spa-like ambiance. We recommend chamomile, eucalyptus, red roses, and peonies as they are some of the most fragrant flowers and greenery.
Make Fresh Made Face Masks
These face masks are made with simple and fresh ingredients, perfect to make with your gal pals. Here are four different recipes for various skin types portioned for one person, so everyone can have their own. To find the full recipes, read our Face Masks Blog.
Have a Mini Mani-Pedi Session
Set up a relaxing foot soak.
An Epsom salt foot soak is a simple and effective way to create a spa-like experience at your Galentine’s Day gathering. Epsom salt has many benefits, including reducing inflammation, soothing sore muscles, and improving circulation. To make the foot soak, add 1 cup of Epsom salt to a basin or foot bath filled with warm water. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes, then dry them off and moisturize. For added luxury, use a scented Epsom salt for your foot soak like our TopCare Lavender or Eucalyptus Epsom salts.
Give each other a manicure.
It’s a must on Galentine’s Day. Not only is it a great way to have fun with your friends, but it’s also a way to try new colors and designs! Make sure you have supplies ready like nail polish, base coats, topcoats, polish remover, and cotton swabs. Enjoy some mimosas or cocktails, scented candles, and flowers we mentioned, and it’ll be a great time!
Shop for Your Beauty Items Here
Galentine's Day Movie Marathon + Dessert
No Galentine’s Day is complete without a movie marathon; romcoms, horror, drama, suspense, the choice is yours. Grab your cozy throws, your besties, and your favorite snacks!
Here are a few of our favorite Galentine’s Day movies, just make sure everyone’s of appropriate age depending on the movie’s rating.
- Mean Girls
- The Notebook
- 50 First Dates
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- Bridesmaids
- Twilight Series
- Sixteen Candles
- Devil Wears Prada
- Snacks and Dessert for Galentine’s Day
What’s a movie marathon without good snacks? We say they’re equally as important as the movie you and your besties choose! Here’s what we recommend you bring to the sofa:
