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While Valentine's Day has been traditionally thought of as a holiday to celebrate romance, the time of the year is an opportunity to also reflect on much more. Love is about deep care, affection, and commitment, qualities that feature not only in romantic relationships but in platonic friendships as well.
Galentine’s Day is a holiday that celebrates platonic friendship, according to Cosmopolitan. And despite its name, it’s for everyone. Regardless of gender or relationship status, there’s a reason to join in on the fun.
The Origin of Galentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day owes its roots to the character Leslie Knope in the sitcom Parks and Recreation. In a 2010 episode, Knope designated February 13 as a day for “Ladies celebrating ladies.” Since then, Galentine’s Day has been widely recognized as a pre-Valentine’s Day tradition.
How to Host a Galentine’s Day Bash
On Parks and Recreation, Knope honored her female friendships with a waffle party. While you can celebrate the holiday with the classic breakfast food, there are many other ways to affirm your friendships. Go to a fancy restaurant, host a dinner party, pamper yourself with a spa day, or exchange gifts.
Galentine’s Day celebrations often feature lots of pink and matching pajamas, BBC reports. However, there are no rules when it comes to celebrating the holiday. “Galentine’s is just a nice excuse to do a fun girly thing,” Paris Amy Morgan, who organized a celebration at her beauty salon, tells BBC.
The Power of Friendship
Morgan adds that the day can help build new friendships. “It’s hard to make friends in your 20s or when you are older, and events like this are so important to help form new friendships and bonds,” she shares.
Strong friendships can make a positive difference through every life stage. “There is so much pressure to focus on romantic relationships, but the focus should be on friendship relationships,” Charlotte Oliver-Holland, a student who attended a flower-arranging Galentine’s Day event, says. “They will always be there for you,” she adds.
Gemma Thomas uses Galentine’s Day as a means of empowering her tween daughter, Evie, to be a proud and independent woman. “I want Evie to grow up knowing she does not need a man to shower her with gifts to enjoy this time of year,” Thomas says. “It’s showing them from a young age how important it is to celebrate girlhood and to value their friendships,” she adds.
While romantic love is a wonderful phenomenon, love between friends is equally important. Friendship offers support, loyalty, joy, and affection — making life richer and more meaningful. Galentine’s Day is a great way to remind oneself to take the time to thank, honor, and celebrate all friendships.
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