The end of this week may hold a plethora of anxieties for many of us, as Valentine’s Day looms over the heads of both the single and the unavailable.
But, we can always create our own alternatives. The delightful Leslie Knope of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” proposes that Galentine’s Day is a much better option for many of us.
“What is Galentine’s Day?” Knope says on her show, “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year! 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.”
Galentine’s Day is truly the best day of the year...possibly behind the TV program’s other lovely holiday — “Treat Yo’ Self Day.” But if you’re anything like me, that day is every day.
It celebrates friendships between women. It’s a day to spend with all your girls celebrating self-importance, crafts, food and whipped cream. Lots of whipped cream.
This year Galentine’s Day falls on a Friday, which means brunch might be hard to fit into people’s class schedules. But you don’t have to have Galentine’s Day on Feb. 13, so don’t use that as an excuse to miss out.
The only mandatory thing about Galentine’s Day is having friends around you, because that’s who it’s about. Have a small get-together with just you and your bestie, or go big with a Galentine’s Day-themed party.
Try brunchin’ it up on Saturday morning instead; sure, some friends might have plans for the night, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from indulging during the day. For a more low-key time, stack up on movies, stay in and build a blanket nest. Or have a girls’ night on the town; indulge and order fruity drinks with umbrellas, no judgment.
Get crafty and try your hand at some Pinterest crafts; if they don’t work out, well, that’s why the hashtag #PinterestFails exists. For those gal pals you won’t be able to see in person, try Rabb.it, a free website that incorporates video chat and a screen share feature, perfect for marathoning Netflix. (Might I suggest “Parks and Recreation”?)
Don’t forget your mom, or any other important women in your life this Feb. 13, either. Call, send a text, or get something delivered by trained foxes with little rolled up scrolls; find a way to tell them they’re important to you.
Just don’t do an e-card. No one likes e-cards.
Life is hard, school is rough and the weather is only going to get colder. Take every chance you can to celebrate the friendships you’ve forged, and the foods you love to eat. Brunch, a marathon, a sleep-over or a night out — as long as we’ve got our girls, Galentine’s Day will be a breeze.
