Since early childhood, the idea that Valentine’s Day is about celebrating your “one true love” with a romantic evening, a bunch of flowers, and a candlelight dinner has been instilled in our minds. Though it’s sweet to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th by donning shapewear and dining at an expensive restaurant, the day prior is perhaps more enjoyable because of another occasion. I’d like to tell you about Galentine’s Day, a holiday created to celebrate female friendship.

Discover the Entire Cosmo

This pre-Day Valentine’s celebration is equally as significant as February 14 because it recognizes the individuals who are always there for you, even if Galentine’s Day isn’t an “official” event and isn’t taking up the aisles at Target or showing up on your Google Cal. It’s not uncommon for ways in which you’re able to be “there” for your significant other that they aren’t. Who else can you turn to for instant opinions on what to wear, guidance on how to end a relationship, or venting about how your significant other doesn’t get you? Best friends are what life is all about.

And by all means, celebrate your friends’ birthdays by showering them with gifts. There has never been a specific day to celebrate friendships other than romantic ones until the advent of Galentine’s Day. While it’s great to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your lunch by going on an extravagant date and engaging in some steamy sex, it’s also enjoyable to celebrate your closest friendships by “officially” showering them with gifts, affection, and quality time. And thus, whether or not you’re in a relationship this February, it’s time for love to be about more than just romantic attraction. We’ve outlined all you need to know about G-Day here to make preparations as simple as possible.
How to celebrate the friendlier alternative to Valentine’s Day, including Instagram caption suggestions and recommendations for the top Galentine’s Day presents.

When and what is Galentine’s Day?

Urban Dictionary states that the day before Valentine’s Day, February 13, is Galentine’s Day. The Ryan from The Office character is aware that this is probably the worst night of the year to go on a date, but it also happens to be one of the best days to celebrate your friendship and love with your closest friends. Whether single or attached, G-Day is a time to celebrate the bond you share with your female friends by giving them more time, energy, and affection than you normally would. It’s similar to Friendsgiving in that everyone gets together to show appreciation for one another, but the focus on Galentine’s Day is on female friendship and solidarity.

The Origins of Galentine’s Day?

Some greedy greeting cards didn’t conceive that Galentine’s Day or the online marketplace is one of its most intriguing aspects. Instead, the feisty Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation is credited with creating Galentine’s Day. More than a decade has passed since episode 16 of season two of Parks and Recreation, which included a holiday celebration with several friends. In the episode from 2010, Leslie hosts a brunch for her closest female friends, where they share waffles and love. During the show, she explains that her female friends “leave our spouses and boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, brunch style” every February 13.

As a result, the world now celebrates Galentine’s Day, even though it wasn’t formally recognized until this year. The Atlantic reports that some businesses advertise for Galentine’s Day since the made-up holiday is so well-known. Is there anything more genuine than that?