Why Are Women Choosing Galentine’s Day over Valentine’s? Here’s everything you need to know about the day that celebrates women’s friendship.
Friendship is one of the most powerful relationships in our lives. Long before romantic partners enter the picture—and often long after—they are the ones who stand by us through heartbreaks, career chaos, family drama, and personal reinventions. That’s exactly what Galentine’s Day celebrates: the magic of female friendships.
In a world that heavily markets Valentine’s Day as a celebration of romance, Galentine’s Day shifts the spotlight to your girlfriends—the women who hype you up, call you out, hold you together, and cheer for you the loudest. Whether you’re single, committed, married, or “it’s complicated,” this day is about sisterhood and solidarity. Keep reading this blog by Wedding Affair to know everything you need to know about Galentine’s.
Table of Contents
What Is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is a celebration dedicated to female friendships. It’s a day to honour the women in your life—your best friends, sisters, coworkers, cousins, and soul sisters—who make your world brighter.
Unlike Valentine’s Day, which traditionally focuses on romantic love, Galentine’s Day celebrates platonic love. It’s about appreciation without expectations, loyalty without conditions, and joy without pressure.
The concept gained popularity from the television show Parks and Recreation, where the character Leslie Knope hosted an annual brunch for her girlfriends on February 13th. Since then, it has evolved into a widely celebrated occasion across the world.
Today, Galentine’s Day is more than a TV reference—it’s a cultural movement that recognises the importance of female bonding.
Read Also: 15 Jewellery That Will Make the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift
Galentine’s Day Meaning and Why It Matters
Understanding the galentine’s day meaning goes beyond just brunch and selfies. At its heart, it’s about recognising the value of female friendships in a world that often prioritises romantic relationships.
Women’s friendships are emotional anchors. They are built on shared experiences, vulnerability, growth, and resilience. They witness every version of you—awkward phases, career pivots, messy breakups, glow-ups—and love you through it all.
Galentine’s Day reminds us that:
- Friendship is a form of love.
- Support systems deserve celebration.
- Women lifting women is powerful.
- Platonic relationships are just as meaningful as romantic ones.
In many ways, Galentine’s Day is about reclaiming space for friendships that often get sidelined once people enter romantic relationships. It’s about balance. It’s about gratitude.
How to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Style
The beauty of Galentine’s Day is that you can celebrate it in whatever way feels authentic to your group. Whether your vibe is glamorous, cosy, chaotic, or soulful, the goal is connection.
Glam Girls’ Night Out
Nothing screams celebration like a full-blown girls’ night out. Dress up in your favourite outfits, book a table at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try, order your favourite cocktails, and take all the photos.
Make it intentional—raise a toast for each other. Share what you admire most about every woman at the table. Celebrate achievements from the past year. Laugh loudly. Stay out late. Own the night.
It’s not just about going out—it’s about feeling powerful together.
Cosy Night In
If your group prefers comfort over chaos, host a cosy evening at home. Think matching pajamas, comfort food, candles, and nostalgic playlists.
Watch a feel-good movie or a throwback rom-com. Cook together. Bake something indulgent. Create a no-judgment zone where everyone can talk openly about life.
Sometimes the most meaningful celebrations happen in sweatpants with messy buns and honest conversations.
Themed Dinner Party
Turn Galentine’s Day into a themed affair. Pick a concept—pink party, 90s nostalgia, all-black elegance, pajama chic—and build the evening around it.
Decorate the space. Curate a menu. Assign each friend a dish or cocktail to bring. Add fun touches like handwritten appreciation notes for each guest.
It transforms a simple gathering into a memory.
Read Also: Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas He’ll Actually Love
Self-Love & Wellness Date
Book a spa day. Attend a yoga class together. Try a sound healing session. Or create a DIY spa experience at home with face masks, manicures, and calming music.
This approach honours not only friendship but also well-being. It’s about slowing down and reminding each other to prioritise self-care.
Celebrate the fact that you’re growing, healing, and evolving—together.
Creative Workshop Evening
Tap into your artistic side. Attend a pottery workshop, painting class, dance session, or even a mixology class.
Trying something new strengthens bonds. Laughing at each other’s “abstract” artwork or chaotic dance moves creates inside jokes that last for years.
Creativity connects people in unexpected ways.
Travel Together
If schedules allow, plan a short getaway. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—a nearby beach, a hill station, or a staycation in a chic hotel works perfectly.
Travel deepens friendships. It tests patience, strengthens teamwork, and creates unforgettable stories.
A Galentine’s trip becomes something you’ll talk about every year.
Memory Lane Celebration
Print old photos. Revisit voice notes. Share embarrassing stories from school or college.
Create a small scrapbook or digital slideshow of your friendship timeline. Reflect on how much each of you has grown.
There’s something deeply emotional about seeing how far you’ve come together.
Empowerment Circle
Use the day to uplift each other intentionally. Sit in a circle and take turns speaking about what you admire in one another.
Share goals for the year ahead. Offer encouragement. Promise accountability.
Galentine’s Day can be glamorous, but it can also be grounding.
FAQs
- When is galentine’s day celebrated?
Galentine’s Day is officially celebrated on February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day. However, many friend groups choose a weekend date that works best for everyone.
- What is the meaning of Galentine’s Day?
The galentine’s day meaning centres around celebrating female friendships. It honours platonic love, support, loyalty, and the strength of women uplifting one another.
- Do you have to be single to celebrate Galentine’s Day?
Not at all. Galentine’s Day is for everyone—single, dating, engaged, or married. It’s about celebrating your friendships, regardless of your relationship status.
Read Also: Promise Day: 15 Promises to Keep for a Healthy Relationship
So call your girls. Plan the dinner. Book the trip. Wear the heels. Or don’t.
Just celebrate the women who make your life extraordinary.
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