8 Ways to Celebrate Galentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is well known for couples showing their love for each other through cakes, flowers, and heart-shaped decorations. But what about a holiday for the ones who’ve been there through it all – your girls? Galentine’s Day, the day before Valentine’s Day, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your friendship with your gal pals. Read on to learn all about Galentine’s Day and how to celebrate the occasion.

What is the meaning of Galentine's Day?

Galentine’s Day, the day before Valentine’s Day, is devoted to ladies celebrating ladies. Leslie Knope, a fictional character in the hit TV series Parks and Recreation, created the tradition in the 2010 episode “Galentine’s Day.”

In this episode, Leslie says that Galentine’s Day is when she and her friends enjoy a girls’ day together without any significant others. Her exact quote is as follows.

“Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast style.”

Now, many women around the world celebrate the once-fictional holiday every year with a small soiree or some fun activities with their closest friends.

8 ways to celebrate Galentine's Day

You can celebrate your female friendships with an at-home spa day, an unforgettable party, or anything in between. Follow the below ideas for some inspiration on how you and your gal pals can celebrate Galentine’s Day.

1. Host a movie night

Galentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to watch all your favorite chick flicks. For the ultimate at-home movie theater experience, lay down some blankets and pillows and stock up on your favorite movie snacks. As soon as you nestle in and press play, you’ll ascend into a peaceful state of pure bliss.

2. Plan a game night

Organizing a game night is a great way to get everyone involved and in an upbeat spirit. First, gather some games you think everyone will enjoy. This could be anything from poker to charades or group video game classics like Mario Kart. Then, load up on some sweet and salty snacks, and dim the lights for the ultimate gaming experience.

3. Weekend staycation

Who says you can only celebrate Galentine’s Day for one day? Instead, turn your ladies’ night into a whole weekend with a weekend-long staycation. Your staycation can include fun ideas such as attending a city food tour or camping indoors. The best weekend staycation ideas can instantly transport you to your dream destination without you moving an inch.

4. Set up an at-home fitness or yoga day

Instead of feasting and binge-watching movies like you do every sleepover, get everyone moving with a fitness class or stretching out in your yoga room. Or, if the weather allows, grab some mats and head outside for a yoga session. The natural light and fresh air will create the perfect ambiance for you and your girls to reach uninterrupted relaxation.

5. Plan a gift exchange

Galentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the girls, and there’s no better way to show your love than through a gift exchange. Before your Galentine’s Day event, have every one of your guests choose a name from a hat to find their gift recipient. Then, set a budget so everyone knows which type of gifts are acceptable. This can provide plenty of cheer – both during the holiday gift-giving season and at any time of year.

6. Have an at-home spa day

A day away from significant others can be the perfect time to host a relaxing at-home spa day. To bring on the soothing vibes, all you need are some candles, nail polish and files, lotion, and music and lighting to match the mood.

The BlissRadia is a great example of a calming light to add to your spa day. This ambient light diffuses colorful hues that seamlessly transition from one color to the next. Set the BlissRadia to a soft blue, or opt for violet to bring zen vibes to your space. You can do this all right from your phone – you’ll transform your surroundings with just a tap on a screen.

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7. Host a karaoke night

Hosting a karaoke night is a great way to get your friends out of their seats and in a party mood. First, create a playlist filled with songs from your all-time favorite divas. Then, set the mood with some colorful lighting, a microphone, and a snack station. As soon as your friends hit the stage, their inner Ariana Grande or Lady Gaga might come to life.

8. Throw a Galentine's Day party

One of the best ways to celebrate your love for your ladies is to host your own Galentine’s Day party. First, text your friends or send out invites in advance to ensure they can attend. Then, choose a theme and unique decor to take your party to the next level.

How to throw a Galentine's Day party

Instead of inviting the girls over for a casual brunch, transform your typical friendly gathering into a unique party experience filled with treats and decorations. Here’s how to host an unforgettable Galentine’s Day party.

Choose a theme

Before you begin buying all your florals and bright pink place settings, you should come up with a party theme. Your theme can be anything from classic Valentine’s Day colors to a style such as boho chic. The right theme can elevate your ordinary Galentine’s Day event into an evening none of your friends will forget.

Decorate your space

To decorate your space appropriately, focus on a few textures or colors that match your theme. This can be anything from soft pastels to bold metallics bound to get you in the party mood. Then, you can add all the details, such as table settings, lights, and displays, to make your party truly one-of-a-kind.

Create a craft corner

Set up a craft station in your house for you and your guests to design Galentine’s Day cards for each other. All you need is some table space, stationary cards, glitter, and colorful pens. Or, if you want to get really crafty, set out a few paint sets so all your guests can bring out their inner Picasso.

Create a menu full of heart-shaped treats

Show your friends how much you love them with a menu of heart-shaped goodies. Your menu can include just about anything – cut-out cookies, heart-shaped sandwiches, pancakes, strawberries, you name it. Once you design your menu and make your goodies, match your table to the theme with red placemats and heart-shaped dinner plates. You’ll fully unify the vibe within your space.

Add a DIY photo booth

A DIY photo booth is exactly what you need to remember Galentine’s Day forever. To create your own selfie wall, you’ll need a good backdrop, props, and lights. The Sky Lite Evolve, for example, shines colorful floating nebulas and striking laser stars that you can set to move exactly to your pace. With just a few taps on your phone screen, you can adjust your galaxy’s brightness, colors, and effects. You’ll instantly set the perfect Galentine’s Day scene.

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