7 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day
Call your girls, it's Galentine's Day!
Attention, ladies. Today is the day to celebrate Galentine’s Day, in honor of Leslie Knope on Parks and Rec. Back in 2010, Amy Poehler’s character created Galentine’s Day on February 13 as the day to “celebrate special lady friends.” Not long after, the event took off online, and now it’s celebrated annually, much like how Seinfeld created Festivus as a Christmas spoof and it’s still a quirky celebration that draws attention more than 20 years later.
So in honor of the holiest of holy lady days, and that this is the last year that you can celebrate Galentine’s Day while Parks and Rec is still on the air, here are some suggestions on how to gather your girls and have a fun evening sans men.
Break out the waffles and whipped cream and start the party with these tips.
Get the party started
Food, alcohol and sweets are always something to share with your girls, so here are relationship expert Lori Bizzoco’s three best tips:
Hit up restaurant week: Many cities host restaurant week around Valentine’s Day, so take advantage of it. Who cares about all of the lovey dovey couples when you’re surrounded by your best friends. Grab a great meal for an even greater price. In addition to the delicious food, you’ll be entertained by fun conversation and lots of laughs.
Enjoy your senoritas and margaritas: Nothing soothes the soul better than tequila and girl talk, so head to your town’s best margarita bar and Mexican restaurant. Afterwards, find a spot to go dancing and let loose. You can even make this outing a tradition and do it every year.
Make it all about the ladies: Send some Evites to all your gal pals and have them over for a party where you recognize your favorite women in history. You can ask your friends to come dressed as a famous female — anyone ranging from Britney Spears to Amy Poehler to Eleanor Roosevelt. Or to keep it a bit simpler, play a game where you stick the name of a well-known singer, actress, or influential thinker on your back and ask partygoers questions to guess who you are for the evening. Stock up on wine or look for a Valentine’s Day-themed cocktail on Pinterest. Put out little snacks for your guests — and don’t forget some mini red velvet cupcakes for dessert.
Galentine’s Day is the perfect chance to get your best gals together for a night of fun, dancing, and laughter. Friendships can be a lot simpler than relationships, so take this special day to bond with your girlfriends.
Make a day of it
Barbie Adler, founder and president of Selective Search, shared her ideas on how to celebrate with your friends:
Galentine's Day party: Book a group table at a restaurant with a pre fix V-Day menu and take back the holiday; get your best girls together for game night at home with fancy hors d'oeuvre and bubbly; or book a full day with your gal pals at the spa. No matter what you do, this is about celebrating your most important friendships, so just have fun.
Share the love: Grab your girls and volunteer your time to those in need. Go to the assisted living complex, the soup kitchen, the animal shelter and volunteer your time. Sharing your compassion with others is a sure fire way to fill your heart, and warm theirs.
Plan a trip: Why not plan a trip with your friends or family? Exploring a new city, hitting the slopes, or taking a road trip may be the best way to get your mind off that recent break up, and open up your perspective. Travel has a habit for shifting outlooks - you may take away a lot more than you think.
Invest in a new hobby: A barre exercise studio just opened up down the street from your house and you're dying to try it. Grab a few girlfriends and go. You may end up falling in love with it and discovering new strengths that you didn't even know you had.
Serve a signature cocktail
And then, here’s a signature cocktail to serve that’s perfect for Galentine’s Day. Because no party is complete without a signature cocktail. And this cocktail promises to make you forget about being single after one sip.
Cruzan® Cinngle Lady
- 1 1/2 parts Cruzan® Black Strap Rum
- 1 part Cruzan® Velvet Cinn™ Horchata with Rum
- 1/2 part Coco Lopez® Cream of Coconut
