(Image credit: (Getty Images/OntheRunPhoto))
By Kelsee Majette, The Week US
published
On Feb. 13, groups of gals nationwide will get together to celebrate what has become known as "Galentine's Day," the platonic alternative to Valentine's Day. Here's everything you need to know:
What is Galentine's Day?
Although not an official holiday, Galentine's Day, as it has been dubbed, is a celebration typically observed by girl gangs as a more "official" way to "[honor] the people who are always there for you," whether they are "single or not," Cosmopolitan writes. Think of it as Valentine's Day, but for your besties.
How did Galentine's Day start?
Galentine's Day was created by a fictional character named Leslie Knope, played by comedian Amy Poehler in the television sitcom Parks and Recreation. Knope explains the premise of the "holiday" in the 2010 episode during which it debuted: "Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas."
Subscribe to The Week
The Week provides readers with a wide range of perspectives from 200 trusted news sources.
Try 6 Free Issues
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The gimmick "caught on so well that, today, Galentine's Day is a fairly standard celebration," The Atlantic wrote in 2017. "No longer simply a micro-holiday, in the blink-and-you-miss-it manner of National Pizza Day or International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Leslie Knope's lark is widely recognized and celebrated in places that are decidedly far from Pawnee, Indiana," the fictional town where the show is set.
How is Galentine's Day celebrated?
Unlike Valentine's Day, where people usually get dressed up for a fancy dinner date, there's no traditional way to celebrate Galentine's Day. Whether with a slumber party, a spa day, a gift exchange, or simply getting together to catch up, there are so many creative ways to observe the unofficial holiday. It's all about creativity and spending quality time with your favorite gals and pals.
To that end, don't think you have to break the bank to have a good time. For ideas both fancy and cost-effective, check out this list from Good Housekeeping, which includes suggestions like a food tour, a thrift-shopping date, candle-making, and a wine and chocolate night, among other possibilities. A lot of people even like to celebrate "by hosting a waffle and co*cktail brunch" to pay homage to Leslie Knope herself, Cosmopolitan writes. But most importantly, Galentine's Day can and should be celebrated in whichever way you feel is best for your group of buddies.
Explore More
HolidaysBriefing
To continue reading this article...
Create a free account
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
register for free
Already have an account? Sign in
Subscribe to The Week
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more with a subscription to The Week.
Start your free trial
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Sign up to The WeekDay newsletter
A free twice-daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Kelsee Majette, The Week US
Kelsee Majette has worked as a social media editor at The Week since 2022. In 2019, she got her start in local television as a digital producer and fill-in weather reporter at NTV News. Kelsee also co-produced a lifestyle talk show while working in Nebraska and later transitioned to 13News Now as a digital content producer.
Chicago turns off its gunshot-tracking systemTalking PointsShotSpotter has come under criticism. But critics say Mayor Brandon Johnson is making 'bad policy.'By Joel Mathis, The Week USPublished 16 February 24 Greece legalizes same-sex marriageSpeed ReadGreece becomes the first Orthodox Christian country to enshrine marriage equality in lawBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 16 February 24 Russia close to capturing Ukraine's AvdiivkaSpeed ReadAfter months of brutal fighting, Russia is on the verge of capturing the strategically located Ukrainian cityBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 16 February 24
6 great Thanksgiving movies to watch this holidayThe Week RecommendsBreak out the apple pie and fire up these Thanksgiving classicsBy Brendan Morrow, The Week USPublished 16 November 23 The video game franchises with the best loreSpeed ReadThe developers behind these games used their keen attention to detail and expert storytelling abilities to create entire universesBy Theara ColemanPublished 11 September 23 The buzziest movies from the 2023 Venice Film FestivalSpeed ReadWhich would-be Oscar contenders got a boost?By Brendan MorrowPublished 10 September 23 America's troubling school bus driver shortageSpeed ReadKids are heading back to school, but they might be having trouble getting a rideBy Theara ColemanPublished 5 September 23 5 college admissions trends to watch out for this yearSpeed ReadCollege advisers and admissions experts say these trends will shape the 2023-2024 admissions cycleBy Theara ColemanPublished 2 September 23 What's going on with Fyre Festival II?Speed ReadConvicted felon Billy McFarland claims the music festival will happen, for real this timeBy Brendan MorrowPublished 1 September 23 The answer to rising home prices: smaller homesSpeed ReadBuilders are opting for fewer rooms and more attached styles as frustrated homebuyers look for affordable optionsBy Theara ColemanPublished 27 August 23 5 illuminating books about the video game industrySpeed ReadCozy up with a few reads that dig into some of the most fascinating parts of video game historyBy Theara ColemanPublished 25 August 23
