Galentine’s stems all the way back to 2010, when Leslie Knope of (fabulous) sitcom Parks and Recreation declared the 13th February a day to appreciate the females in your life. The holiday encourages both fans and sceptics of its lovely-dovey namesake to share the love with their friends instead.
Galentine’s is fast becoming as popular as Valentine’s Day, with a lot of retailers now offering cards and gifts for female friends to exchange. It can sometimes feel like there’s no getting away from Valentine’s, but worry no more – Galentine’s is sure to fill you with love and admiration for the girls in your life!
Whether you’re gleefully single, happily coupled up, married, or somewhere in between – it can only be positive to take some time to build on the friendships in your life. Strong friendships are thought to lower stress, improve self-confidence, and help us cope with challenging times – who doesn’t want that?!
Give the gift of self-care
Self-care is rapidly becoming an essential part of our lives with the demanding lifestyles so many of us lead today. Promoting this amongst your closest girlfriends is a great sentiment this Galentine’s Day. It’s important to love yourself as well as caring for your nearest and dearest – so why not give your bestie the gift of relaxation, and treat yourself while you’re at it?
It doesn’t have to break the bank – it can be as simple as a face mask or as luxurious as a posh Jo Malone candle – but it could mean the world to someone who is not a fan of Valentine’s Day. You know the way to your friends’ hearts better than anyone - it could be they’ve a soft spot for chocolate, or maybe a bottle of wine.
If you’re after a more decadent gift, why not treat them to a hamper full of their favourite things? Think of it as a little care package for your favourite person, filled with their favourite treats to make them feel extra-special. You can make yourself so it’s personalised for the person you are giving it to, or buy one centred around their favourite treats. We’d recommend The Gifted Food Co.’s fabulous cocktail hamper.
Go on an adventure
We know it’s popular to go out or away with your other half, but why not go away with your friends instead? Laughing is good for the soul and you’ll be sure to laugh non-stop with your besties in tow. Here are some ideas for a fun weekend getaway:
- Go Ape: make fools of yourself, have some fun and get active!
- Spa trip: for total relaxation
- City break: go away to a city you’ve never visited before – explore the shops and cafés it has to offer
- Go outdoors: visit a National Trust park and take a picnic (maybe put on some thermals for this one!)
Staycation
Getting together with your gal pals and showing them how much you love them doesn’t need to cost the earth – you could organise a girly night in with good food, wine, and lots of laughs. Add some games to your night in, or just veg out and watch your fav sitcom! Or dress up and relive your favourite night out at your local, or visit your local coffee shop for a good catch-up.
