Is There Really Galentine’s Day?

It seems to me that we have enough of what I like to term as “Hallmark Holidays.” You know the ones, a day created just to celebrate or send a card! Well, the newest holiday in this shortest of months is “Galentine’s Day!” It is indeed a real, cultural phenomenon which started back in 2010, as a result of an episode from a television sitcom.

Airing on February 10, 2010, Leslie Knope, of the popular comedy Parks and Recreation, hosted a brunch with her female friends and created Galentine’s Day. According to Leslie, “Galentine’s Day is the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it…ladies celebrating ladies.” After that episode aired, word got around and now, 15 years later – Galentine’s Day is actually a thing!

Although I don’t usually like to tag along with things like this, it actually is a nice idea. Female friendships are important and the day, now officially earmarked as February 13 as suggested by Leslie, can be a celebration of the mutual empowerment of women and a reminder to support and uplift one another. There has even been the establishment of Palentine’s Day, for the men! Both holidays recognize the importance of  friendships in our everyday lives and embrace the non-romantic bonds of love, loyalty and support.

So whether you plan to celebrate Galentine’s, Palentine’s or Valentine’s Day (or maybe a combination), the message here is that our friends and those we love are well worth celebrating not only this month and but also throughout the year!

Suggested activities for Galentine’s Day: A gals only brunch, a sleepover complete with popcorn, movie and matching pajamas, a spa day, a trip to the movies – a rom-com of course. Appropriate gifts include: chocolates, more chocolates, wine, more wine and flowers, always flowers!