February 13. Galentine’s Day. A special day all about celebrating friendship regardless of whether you’re coupled up or not. Why is that, you might ask? Because no one knows you better than your friends.
It’s technically not an official holiday, but it’s celebrated to the same degree as Valentine’s Day. Think lots of pink and red, flowers, themed drinks and a night out or in. Here’s how to celebrate Galentine’s Day in the most festive fashion.
Getting ready is an important ritual for a friend group, whether it’s before heading to the bar, going to a nice dinner or staying in. This consists of one too many hair tools plugged in (seriously, it’s probably a fire hazard), not a free mirror in the house and music playing loud enough to disturb the neighbours.
If the group isn’t getting ready together then there’ll probably be a group chat made to discuss which outfit to wear, or an already existing group chat being spammed. Walk away from your phone for five minutes and you’ll come back to 100 missed messages and a fashion crisis. Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone in the group. There might be at least one friend who has their life and outfits figured out (lucky them). Everyone has to match in case a spontaneous photoshoot breaks out. I mean, did you really go out for Galentine’s Day if you didn’t post on social media about it?
Some restaurants have Galentine’s Day dinners or brunch. In my experience, I’ve even had restaurants write “Happy Galentine’s Day” on our dessert plates once they found out we were celebrating. Any restaurant will work, but I recommend somewhere with a fun drink menu and delicious desserts
If staying in is more your style then throw a Galentine’s gathering. Host cocktail night where each friend makes a Valentine’s-themed cocktail, put together a charcuterie board and watch rom-coms all night long. Anything from the 2000s with Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts or Jennifer Aniston will do.
But, if women have Galentine’s Day, then what do men have? Take it away, Cory.
Urban Dictionary defines Palentine’s Day as something for people who are “single and/or sick of the commercialization of Valentine’s Day” and spend the day “hanging out with…best friends, eating pizza, watching movies, and playing video games.” Based on that definition, I’ve been celebrating it most weekends of my adult life (and on many wing Wednesdays, too).
Perusing other websites’ suggestions on what single dudes should do on Pal or Valentine’s Day, I can’t help but find them… uninspiring. Eating cheese comes up a lot. As does drinking booze and smoking cigars. One literally says to just “laze around.” I’m not against any of those things, but I feel like these lists could be retitled as “Things Guys Already Do When Women Aren’t Around.”
What if, for this one single day, we went in the opposite direction, and acted more like women when they pamper themselves? I’ve had an unused pedicure gift certificate since two Christmases ago, and it’s been a while since I’ve had a massage. I don’t know what the deal is with putting cucumber slices on women’s eyes but it does seem soothing and delicious. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone shopping (I could really use a new hoodie), and even longer since I’ve journaled. Or maybe I should just go for a long, solo walk, really connect with me, and maybe even have a good cry, ya know?
Oh wait. I just remembered the day before Palentine’s Day is the Super Bowl, and I’m going to a buddy’s place to eat pizza and watch the game. We will technically be all together, enjoying each other’s company, so maybe after the game I’ll take a moment to look into their drunken eyes and say, “I see you. I appreciate you. I love you. Happy Palentine’s Day.”
