“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year!” once exclaimed Fictional Character Leslie Knope in the hit sitcom TV show Parks and Recreation. This fun February holiday is just like Valentine’s Day, but it’s just for the gals, hence the name “Gal”entine’s. Galentine’s Day is celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, and, according to Bustle magazine, it is meant to celebrate “you and the love you have for your girlfriends” (bustle.com). Having an entire day dedicated to you and your girlfriends is a great way to show appreciation for your best friends — who might basically be your sisters.

   While Galentine’s Day originated from the show Parks and Recreation, it has become a popular celebration among women across the nation. According to The Atlantic, “Galentine’s Day acknowledged a broad truth about American life as it’s lived in the early Twenty-First Century: Friendships, increasingly, are playing an organizing role in society” (theatlantic.com). Similar to Friendsgiving, Friends-mas, and other celebrations of friendships and relationships, this unofficial holiday is gaining traction among many Americans.

   Even girls at UC High have taken up this amazing holiday. “It’s a great holiday for those who don’t necessarily have a boyfriend or girlfriend,” explained Junior Carolyn Sutton. “My friends and I celebrated Galentine’s Day last year. We cooked spaghetti and hand-made the sauce, and set the table really nice,” Sutton added. Sutton’s observance is a perfect example of how many observe Galentine’s Day: a fun get-together with close friends and loved ones to celebrate those important relationships. 

   If this sounds like the perfect holiday for you and your girlfriends, there are tons of different ways to celebrate. Making little gift bags filled with goodies is a great way to show your love for your friends. In Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope gives her girlfriends goodie-bags filled with hand-crocheted pens, mosaic portraits of each of them, and 5,000 word personalized essays about how awesome each is. While this caring gesture might seem a bit extreme, an online women’s magazine has a bunch of ideas for Galentine’s Day gifts. They suggest a wide range of gifts, from mugs to earrings to heart-shaped cookie cutters (bustle.com).

   Another article about Galentine’s Day suggests having a karaoke party, a bake-off, or a beach day (brit.co). Feeling adventurous? Maybe taking a road trip is the perfect way to de-stress this Galentine’s Day. Even having a movie-marathon is a great way to spend some quality time with the girls.

   No matter how you decide to spend Galentine’s Day, it is always a fantastic idea to have a day dedicated exclusively to celebrate friendships. So while you might be out celebrating Valentine’s Day, don’t forget your besties on Galentine’s Day! Boys, feel free to celebrate your gal friends too… or each other. Guyentines?