Galentine's Day: How a Made-Up Holiday Became a Celebration of Female Friendships (2024)

Between all the Valentine’s Day jewelry commercials and romantic movies, it can be easy to forget that true love isn’t just for lovers. Love is also about the ladies who are there for you during all the ups and downs life brings—the ones who text you when you start a new job, bring you chocolate when you really need it, check in after you’ve had a baby and always remember your birthday. You know you can count on them wherever and whenever, even at 2 a.m. This bond between best girlfriends is powerful, and it deserves to be celebrated, whether you’re single on Valentine’s Day or happily hooked up—and that’s exactly what Galentine’s Day is for!

What is Galentine’s Day?

So as you get ready for that other holiday—thinking through the many Valentine’s Day ideas—don’t forget to honor the other loves of your life. But what is Galentine’s Day, exactly? We answer below, along with showing you all the ways to celebrate to your heart’s content—by wishing the amazing women in your life a happy Galentine’s Day, sending them friendship quotes and maybe even picking up a littleGalentine’s Day gift. They’ll appreciate it more than you know.

GetReader’s Digest’sRead Up newsletterfor more holiday tips, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long.

When is Galentine’s Day?

jacoblund/Getty Images

Galentine’s Day is Feb. 13, or Valentine’s Day Eve. This day is all about celebrating the unique bond women share with their best gal pals. These best friends come in many different types, but every woman needs them in her life. Galentine’s Day is a made-up holiday (but aren’t all holidays?) and a very recent addition to the calendar of celebrations, but the relationships that it commemorates are as old as they come.

Who invented Galentine’s Day?

Ever wish you could live in some of your favorite TV shows? Galentine’s Day will bring you one step closer to living your sitcom dreams, as it was “invented” by Leslie Knope, the fictional mayor of a small town on the show Parks and Recreation, played by the hilarious Amy Poehler. It started as one of Leslie’s many mini-holidays but took on a life of its own because the message resonated with women in real life.

How do I celebrate Galentine’s Day?

The “traditional” way to celebrate Galentine’s Day is with a lavish brunch. Here’s how Leslie explained it in the 2010 episode of Parks and Rec: “Every Feb. 13, my lady friends 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.” However, there’s no need to find a high-end romantic restaurant for the occasion. Feel free to celebrate it any way you and your girlfriends like—dancing, a rom-com movie marathon, taco night or even a white elephant party in which you exchange the weird gifts your exes have given you. Make it a big party at a charming hotel or host a small soiree—there’s no wrong way to do it.

Does Galentine’s Day include gifts?

Westend61/Getty Images

Not traditionally, but the nice thing about a made-up holiday is that you can make it up as you go. So if you want to give your girls aGalentine’s Day gift on the 13th, go for it! Leslie would approve. Look for thoughtful yet inexpensive presents that highlight something unique to your friendship (maybe a box of sweet candy hearts?), would be fun to do together and will make great memories. Be sure to include a heartfelt note or funny Galentine’s Day card.

However you decide to celebrate your lady friends, there is one thing Leslie would say needs to happen: Tell your friends, from the bottom of your heart, what they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life. Bonus points for stories! And if you’re not a huge talker, send them a few funny Valentine’s Day memes.

Is Galentine’s Day women-only?

No! However, Galentine’s Day is typically a holiday for women (hence the name). But if you have a special guy or two you really want to invite, go for it … as long as they’re cool with all the girlie stuff. That’s the best part of this holiday—you get to set the rules! Plus, even though there’s no official or made-up holiday for guys, don’t hesitate to use Valentine’s Day to spend time with your favorite gents!

Why do we need a special holiday for platonic girlfriends?

andreswd/Getty Images

The reasons vary from woman to woman, but the common thread is the desire to love, thank and praise other women. Plus, it’s not just a day for singles!For women who are single on Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day helps to reinforce how cherished and valuable they are right before a holiday where they are often made to feel otherwise. And for women who are in a relationship, celebrating the day before frees up actual Valentine’s Day so they can be with their partners. That’s why we call our favorite gals our Galentines!

But why does it need to be connected to Valentine’s Day?

Well, for starters, it rhymes. But obvious Valentine’s Day puns aside, this traditional holiday centered around love and romance can lead to some very complicated feelings. Women, and to some extent men, are taught that they are defined by their romantic relationships, and not having one is seen as a failure. Linking Galentine’s to Valentine’s reminds us that we are more than our romantic liaisons.

The other “holiday”

Feb. 13 has also been cheekily referred to as “Mistress Day” because it’s the day that cheating men traditionally celebrate Valentine’s Day with their mistresses so their wives won’t be suspicious on the actual holiday. Sigh. This is all the more reason why we need Galentine’s Day. Ladies, don’t waste your time with a man who doesn’t even care enough about you to be seen with you in public. And if you’re having a hard time remembering that, you have your girlfriends to remind you—so spend Valentine’s Eve with them, instead of him.

Sources:

• IMDb: “Parks and Recreation: Galentine’s Day”
• New York Post: “Galentine’s Day? Give us a break”