5 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day
February is here and you know what that means. It’s the season of love! A holiday that was famously known to celebrate couples, nowadays Valentine’s Day is more than just that. It promotes self love and to celebrate your loved ones. Speaking of celebrating your loved ones, Galentine’s Day is all about cherishing the incredible women in our lives and rejoicing in the power of friendship. This special day, celebrated every year on February 13th, honors the unbreakable bond between us and our girlfriends.
Whether you’ve been best friends since kindergarten or found your tribe in adulthood, it’s essential to embrace and appreciate these irreplaceable connections.
Galentine’s Day Outfit Ideas
Before I give you the 5 different ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day this season, I wanted to give you a couple of outfit ideas so you can dress for the occasion!
Celebrate Galentine’s Day with a Spa Day
There’s nothing better than to celebrate this day with a spa day! Invite your girlfriends over for a pampering session that includes facials, manicures, and pedicures. Set the ambiance with scented candles, soothing music, and a palette of soft pastel colors for towels and decor. Provide a selection of organic facial masks, a range of nail polish colors, and perhaps even hire a local masseuse for short relaxation massages!
Another alternative is booking your local spa exclusively for you and your friends! Imagine the ultimate luxury: a private sanctuary where you and your girlfriends can unwind in tranquility, without a care in the world. You’ll have unrestricted access to all the lavish amenities—saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation lounges. You all can indulge in a range of treatments from massages to facials, all performed by professional therapists dedicated to your group. Not only does this give everyone a chance to choose their preferred pampering session, but it also adds a VIP feel to your celebration. Between treatments, you might lounge in plush robes, sipping on champagne or detoxing with herbal teas, truly embracing the essence of self-care and sisterhood.
Host a Galentine’s Day Brunch
Oh my stars – brunch, tea, sweets, and all the girls getting together. What better way to celebrate Galentine’s Day than with a tea party at your favorite cafe! I hosted a Galentine’s Day Brunch at Flour and Branch this year and it was the perfect cafe in San Francisco to celebrate and take cute pictures.
You can do this at home by creating a charming tea party atmosphere with a beautifully set table featuring floral china, lace tablecloths, and a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, and petite pastries. You can get a lot of the table decor at your local thrift shop to make it look shabby chic! This is the best way to offer a variety of teas, from classic Earl Grey to aromatic herbal blends, and add a touch of sparkle with champagne or prosecco. You can go all out and create beautiful handmade menus and name cards as well.
Galentine’s Day Celebration Ideas at Home: DIY Jewelry Workshop
Organize a jewelry-making session where you and your girlfriends can craft your own bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Purchase a selection of beads, charms, and tools, and set up a cute crafting station. As a lovely touch, each guest could make an extra piece to gift another friend in the group, symbolizing the shared bond of your friendship.
Unique Galentine’s Day Activities for Friends: Movie Night Under the Stars
Set up an outdoor space with a projector to watch your favorite chick flicks or rom-coms. Arrange cozy blankets, plush cushions, and string up fairy lights for a magical touch. Offer a concession stand full of snacks like gourmet popcorn, candy, and special “Galentine’s cocktails” for everyone to indulge in!
Best Movies to Watch on Galentine’s Day
There’s nothing like having a dedicated movie night to early 2000’s rom-coms! From Legally Blonde, to Definitely, Maybe, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, there are so many movies to choose from! I curated a list of 20 rom-coms to watch with the girls this year:
- “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001)
- A humorous and heartfelt story about the lovable and relatable Bridget Jones and her misadventures in love.
- “Legally Blonde” (2001)
- Follow the inspiring and funny journey of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and heartbreak at Harvard Law School.
- “Sweet Home Alabama” (2002)
- A fashion designer in New York must confront her Southern past and a lingering high school sweetheart when she returns home.
- “Maid in Manhattan” (2002)
- A Cinderella story that follows a hotel maid who falls for a wealthy politician while posing as a socialite.
- “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)
- A hilarious and touching cultural clash ensues when a Greek woman falls for a non-Greek man.
- “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)
- A magazine writer’s article about chasing away a guy backfires when she meets a man with his own agenda.
- “Love Actually” (2003)
- This ensemble film explores the complexities of love through various interrelated stories leading up to Christmas.
- “13 Going on 30” (2004)
- A magical wish transforms a young girl into a 30-year-old woman overnight, leading to romantic and comedic misadventures.
- “The Notebook” (2004)
- Although more of a romantic drama, it has become a go-to movie for those longing for a timeless love story.
- “50 First Dates” (2004)
- A woman with short-term memory loss keeps reliving the same day, and a man strives to win her over, again and again.
- “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)
- A sequel following Princess Mia’s new life in Genovia, with its fair share of romance and laughs.
- “Hitch” (2005)
- The charming story of a ‘date doctor’ who meets his match, this comedy shows the trials of love and dating.
- “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
- A romantic adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel that beautifully captures the Nuances of Regency-era courtship.
- “The Wedding Date” (2005)
- Romantic hijinks ensue when a woman hires a male escort to accompany her to her sister’s wedding to make her ex-fiancé jealous.
- “Fever Pitch” (2005)
- A sports-themed romance where a woman falls in love with a man obsessed with his baseball team.
- “Failure to Launch” (2006)
- A comical twist on living with parents, where a man won’t leave the nest, and a woman is hired to coax him out.
- “The Holiday” (2006)
- Two women swap homes for the holidays to get away from their relationship issues but find unexpected romances.
- “Music and Lyrics” (2007)
- A washed-up singer finds creative inspiration and love with an unlikely partner when he’s tasked to compose a chart-topper.
- “27 Dresses” (2007)
- Stories intertwine as a perennial bridesmaid confronts her own dreams of love.
- “Enchanted” (2007)
- A delightful fairy tale meets modern-day New York City when an animated princess is transported into the real world.
Grab your popcorn, cozy up with your besties, and enjoy these feel-good flicks that celebrate love, friendship, and the joys of finding happiness in unexpected places!
Personalized Photoshoot
Hire a professional photographer or set up your own camera to capture the love and laughter amongst your group. You can rent out a beautiful studio via Peerspace or create a backdrop at home with fresh flowers, balloons in pinks and reds, and use props like heart-shaped sunglasses and “bestie” signs. Each girlfriend could receive a framed photo as a keepsake from the special day!
I hope these 5 ideas inspired you to start planning your Galentine’s Day celebration! Remember, Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating the special bond you share with your gal pals, so whatever you choose to do, make sure it reflects the joy and appreciation you have for each other!
