Galentine’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring the friendships between women. Originating from the TV show “Parks and Recreation,” this day has evolved into a cherished tradition for many. It’s a time to appreciate the bonds that make life brighter and more joyful.
Celebrating Galentine’s Day can be as unique as the friendships it honors. Some might choose to host a pajama party, where comfort is key, and laughter flows freely. Senior Rebekah Allen talks about what her friends did to celebrate Galentines.
“We wore pajamas for the party, and it was so comfy and cute! I loved it,” Allen said.
Another way to dress and decorate for a party could be with dinner. A cute red and pink-themed dinner can set the tone for a festive evening as well. This could include decorating the space with heart-shaped balloons and table settings, and enjoying a meal while celebrating friendship and love.
For those with a sweet tooth, a cupcake decorating session can be a delightful way to spend the day, with friends indulging in creativity and delicious treats. Or some cookies to decorate for the holiday! Chocolate covered strawberries are another popular idea to make and decorate.
Another popular idea is to channel your inner florist by making beautiful bouquets together. This activity not only fosters creativity but also leaves everyone with a lovely memento of the celebration. Others may gravitate towards a crafting session, creating personalized gifts, vision boards, or painting canvases that capture shared dreams and memories.
Allen talks about the crafts she did.
“We made our own miniature bouquets and that was super fun, but my favorite part was when we decorated our own prayer journals. We got to add a part to the craft that was more us-focused so that was great, plus we listened to Christian music during it,” Allen said.
Crafts are always fun and can spark up the night, setting up a DIY photo booth can add a fun twist to the festivities as well, capturing the joy and silliness of the day with plenty of photos to remember the occasion. Sophomore Braelyn Polly talks about her friend group’s galentines and crafts.
“We did the five minute paint change game! This is where we put a timer on for five minutes and you paint whatever you want on a canvas, and then once the timer goes off, you pass it to the next person. This keeps going until everyone gets their original painting back, so everyone has a special touch of each friend on their canvases,” Polly said.
For movie lovers, hosting a movie marathon featuring chick flicks or feel-good movies can be a perfect way to relax and bond. Maybe even some romance or rom-coms to add to the day!
Another fun way to celebrate each other is to bring a gift to exchange for Secret Cupid. This brings a part of surprise for everyone and excitement. Doing a Galentine’s white elephant could also be another fun way to exchange gifts, whether that be only bringing silly gifts, making specific rules, or just a sweet, fun exchange.
No celebration is complete without a spread of favorite snacks. Whether it’s savory or sweet, enjoying good food together adds to the enjoyment of the day. One way to incorporate this is asking everyone to bring their own food board or just a simple snack.
“Everyone brought a different food to share, which turned out super well and everything was delicious! I brought chocolate croissants,” Polly said.
Ultimately, Galentine’s Day is about showing your friends how much they mean to you, taking a break from the everyday hustle, and focusing on the love and support that friendship brings.
“The party made me feel not alone, and that it is nice to be surrounded by like minded people that are full of love and have so much support for each other! We laughed all night and it was such a special experience,” Allen said.
Polly agrees with Allen on the special experiences with friends and how memorable it can be.
“I feel like I can always be myself with the girls, they have been my best friends forever. Galentines made it even more special, it reminded me how lucky I am and I am so grateful for the group I have,” Polly said.
So, gather your friends, plan some fun activities, and make this Galentine’s Day one to remember.
