Forget Valentine’s Day with its unnecessary consumerism, forced romanticism and ability to keep petrol stations in business through flower sales. These days, another celebration is sweeping the globe and it has its origins in something much more organic and fun. That celebration is Galentine’s Day!
What is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is a celebration of women! It takes place on the day before Valentine’s Day but is not supposed to be the opposite or the evil twin of that celebration. Instead, it celebrates all your female friends. Both girls with a partner or without are more than welcome to take part. We have a lot to thank TV for. It makes us laugh, it enables us to view our world from different perspectives and gives us something to gossip about with our friends, family and co-workers. But we bet you didn’t know it’s also given us a new national holiday? Or rather, we have Leslie Knope from popular American TV show Parks and Recreation to thank for it.
When Does Galentine's Day Take Place?
Once a year on the 13th February. It’s the perfect date to shower your besties with the love they deserve and a great excuse to get together with the girls and spend some quality time together, whether you’re single or not!
What is the Point in Galentine's Day?
The idea is to get all your friends in one place and to have a special day dedicated to each other. It’s time to celebrate friendships and show your appreciation to all your lovely gal pals. This usually means a fun meal out, drinks or an activity with cards and presents but can be anything you want it to be. The day has existed since 2010 and has grown in popularity around the world year on year.
When Did Galentine's Day Start?
Galentine’s Day was invented in 2010 by the massively popular TV show, Parks & Recreation. The American sitcom was on NBC originally and ran for seven seasons. It follows the office of a local gov-ernment department in Indiana. It launched the career of one of Fizzbox’s favourite hunk, Chris Pratt! The main character was an enthusiastic government employee played by Amy Poehler called Leslie Knope. She loved organising parties and Galentine’s day was an invention of hers.
In the TV show, Leslie’s Galentine’s Day is a boozy brunch in a waffle house taking place the day before Valentine’s Day. The girls also give each other gifts and cards. Due to the popularity of the show, this idea was quickly taken by fans and expanded on. Since then, the idea of Galentine’s Day has spread all over the world and even those who hadn’t seen the TV show are joining in. Of course, with anything like this, it wasn’t long before it’d been converted into a money-making scheme, and now brands offer plenty of gift ideas and deals to go alongside the day.
What Did Leslie Knope Say About Galentine’s Day?
In her own words, Leslie Knope said: “Oh, it's only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.” The past few years have seen ‘Galantine’s Day’ make an appearance across our social media networks and weave its way into our February plans. As Leslie aptly puts it, it’s "Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas."
Is Galentine's Day Popular?
Hell yes, it is! In 2018 alone, Google searches for Galentine's Day ideas grew by a whopping 87%. This fun day celebrating female friendship has never been more popular.
Reasons to Celebrate Galentine's Day
Apart from being a fad from a TV show, the day plays quite an important role that was missing from our calendar; the chance to celebrate our girlfriends. Friends play an incredibly important part in modern life and a day to celebrate that fact has been a long time coming. Friendships are pivotal because in modern life people have become strewn all over the world. We are not such localised animals anymore and being away from family geographically means those relationships need to be replaced. Our friends fill the void and become a surrogate family for many.
Marriage and kids are often happening later in life and so starting your own family is being delayed. This gives ladies more time to build friendships. These precious friends form the backbone of your social life. Another reason to celebrate Galentine’s Day is that it is a ladies only event. It is not often you get to enjoy a men-free zone. Even a hen do will often involve a butler in the buff showing off his cheeky assets!
Join with your friends as you celebrate your triumphs over the last year and say thank you to the people that have supported you getting there. When you finally sit down with your friends and reflect, you’ll realise how important they are in your life. Of course, it’s also a big plus for ladies who find themselves single over the Valentine’s Day period. They won’t feel left out if there is something else to look forward to.
Galentine’s Day is all inclusive however, so those who are in a relationship and will be enjoying Valentine’s Day too can still take part. Lastly, Galentine’s Day can be just a great excuse to catch up with friends you haven’t seen for a while. Often it just takes an excuse like this to get everyone together, like a birthday night.
The Best Galentine's Day Ideas
If you need some inspiration on how to celebrate Galentine’s Day for the first time or need some ideas to freshen things up here is our list of the top 18 Galentine's Day ideas from us at Fizzbox:
We all know that cocktails are a girl’s best friend but instead of just drinking them, why not learn how to make them? Being able to make your own to a professional standard will make any future drinks at home a real treat. Use Galentine’s Day as an opportunity to learn how to make delicious drinks under the expert tutelage of a professional mixologist, and the fact you get to drink the experiments is a big, fat bonus!
Taking time to sit back with some sophisticated drinks and have a gossip with friends is downright fun. And cocktails win over diamonds any day. Sorry Marilyn. Even better, why not take the opportunity to learn about the art of cocktail making with a selection of exciting classes? From vodka to gin, there are tons of options to choose from an endless amount of fun to be had. You can create your favourites and discover new flavours all while enjoying snacks, tapas, or three course meals. It’s a no-brainer.
The ultimate day drinking session, bottomless brunch is one of the most popular activities of the moment. So, why not pair it with one of the best days of the year, Galentine’s Day? You’ll each tuck into a brunch dish of your choice, from full English breakfasts to smashed avocado on toast, accompanied by totally unlimited drinks. That’s free-flowing booze for all of you. You’re going to get spoilt rotten, ladies!
Brunch has become one of the preferred meal options for food-lovers (or just for those looking for a lie in). Traditionally, it's served any time before 3pm and, luckily for you, accompanied with endless bubbly and alcoholic beverages. Hair of the dog, perhaps? Bottomless brunch is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit with the girls this Galantine’s Day. As it’s such a popular activity, there are so many options to choose from such as Italian, Latin-American, full-English breakfasts or a mixture of your favourite cuisines. You can even mix it up with drinks of your choice. What's not to love?
Take the weight off on your Galentine’s Day with an indulgent spa day. Perhaps you and the girls have had a tough year or are arranging something fun but stressful like a wedding? You can rest and recuperate in luxurious surrounding while also getting a well-deserved treatment like a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Don’t forget to relax in the sauna and take a dip in the pool! You’ll be so relaxed that you’ll forget all about not having a date for Valentine’s Day!
If you’re looking for something a little more extravagant this Galantine’s, there's no denying the indulgent benefits of a good old fashioned spa day. Pamper and nurture your body with a massage, relax in the sauna or enjoy some deep-cleansing exfoliation. Detox, de-stress and bathe in some ‘me-time.’ Ah, bliss!
Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home when you hire a private chef. The chef will come to your home or other hired venue to cook up a storm in your kitchen. They’ll prepare, cook and serve up a delicious meal to your table. You won’t have to lift a finger.
Nude life drawing might be a traditional hen party activity, but it’s still loads of fun if you’re looking for cheeky Galentine’s Day ideas. Why let the brides-to-be have all the fun anyway? You’ll arrive at a private room in a city centre venue and be greeted by a professional art tutor who’ll teach you how to draw the live, nude, male model stood in front of you. Did we mention that he’ll be completely naked while he poses?
Before the Renaissance, idealised representations of the human form were depicted through statues created by the Greeks and the Romans. By the time artists such as Michelangelo came onto the scene, it was decided that enough was enough. Chiselled abs and abnormally large *ahem* hands were simply not an accurate picture of the average male physique. Not dissimilar to the modern #NoFilter movement! So, we’re saying, studying the human form isn’t new, but now it’s become a popular group activity. Fancy gathering your mates around a naked stranger and sketching out their most intimate details in a nude life drawing class? There’s nothing like a bit of awkwardness and a naked guy to get your friends giggling.
Add sophistication to your Galentine’s Day celebrations with a spot of afternoon tea. This relaxing daytime treat takes place at a huge range of venues from cheap and cheerful eateries to fancy hotels. You can chow down on classic or quirky dishes to suit your taste. The most popular choice is often finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam.
Partying on land is sooo last year! Get out on the water for a party boat cruise that combines sightseeing, drinking, eating and partying. Depending on the city you’re in, you’ll pass loads of iconic sights that are just begging to be a selfie background. You might get nibbles or a drink or two included or there will be a pay bar onboard. The DJ will play the best party hits to get everyone on their feet and dancing. What’s not to love, girls?
Why not get all the girls behind a microphone and have a blast singing out all your favourite hits? This is not only a great journey down memory lane but also a fantastic laugh. You’ll have a selection of the biggest karaoke classics to choose from. What’s your go to song? And what will you regret singing in the morning? Karaoke is a proven winner and could be just what you need on Galentine’s Day.
Prepare yourselves to be thoroughly entertained this Galentine’s Day with a dazzling drag show. One or more drag artists will strut their stuff on stage for you, wowing you with their dancing and lip-syncing skills. These colourful, hilarious and sometimes outrageous shows can’t fail to get your whole group in the party mood as you sing along to the classic tracks. You can even combine these shows with a delicious meal or bottomless brunch for an extra treat!
If you like your drinks to come in two colours, red and white, then wine tasting could be a great choice for your special Galentine’s Day. You have spent many hours with your friends drinking wine but how much do you know about it? Learn a bit more about your favourite tipple all while getting to drink it. Fun facts and tasty wine; it’s a win win, right girls?
If you’re on the hunt for Galentine’s Day ideas that can take place at home, why not hire a butler in the buff? Your butler will be at your beck and call for the evening, wearing just an apron, collar, cuffs and bowtie. Just imagine your friends’ faces when he answers the door! Your hunky butler can also serve your drinks and canapes and lead some hilarious party games for a Galentine’s Day you’ll never forget!
Transport your Galentine’s party to another world with one of our immersive experiences. You’ll enter an alternate world for a few hours of fun. How about being locked up at Alcotraz? This bar behind bars sees your group smuggle in alcohol while trying not to get caught by the warden. The crooked guards will then whip you up delicious cocktails. You’ll even get orange jumpsuits to wear! With many more options, from Wild West saloons to murder mystery events, there’s an immersive experience to suit every group of women.
If you and your mates are looking for some time away from the pressures of dating or perhaps just a mini break from your partners, then there’s no better distraction than an immersive experience to take you away from reality. Try a prison cocktail session at the faux Alcotraz experience, where you’ll wear jumpsuits and sip contraband spirits, all while under the watchful eyes of the prison guards. If it sounds a little quirky, then that’s because it is! You’ll have to smuggle in your own alcohol and pray you don’t get caught. The guards will not let you off lightly!
Ok, so we know that a lot of the top Galentine’s Day activities involve food, but we think it’s time that you treated yourselves. And who doesn’t love chocolate? Learn how this indulgent treat is made with demonstrations from a professional chocolatier (what a job!). You’ll get hands on to cut, dip and decorate your own chocolatey goodies. Have fun comparing your creations before you take home everything you’ve made to gobble up later!
If all else fails and you don’t want to have to think about what to do too much, then why not just enjoy a big night out with friends. Visit all the old haunts and party till the early hours. A bar crawl is a great way to experience nightlife in a new city or to make an occasion of your usual night on the tiles. For those of you with no dates the following day, you can just sleep through it!
Get the girls together for a taste of ‘zen.’ This is the perfect opportunity to embrace some meditation, and it can be done at a hall, outside or even from the comfort of your own living room. That's right, you can enjoy the ancient practice of yoga, without leaving your house. It’s kind of like ordering a takeaway, minus the greasy food...or the guilt! Your yoga teacher will teach you how to stretch, tone, relax and meditate, leaving you feeling absolutely amazing.
If you’ve never heard of bubble football, then you’d be right to assume that its exactly as its name suggests. Participants climb into a massive inflatable bubble or ‘zorb’ and run around attempting to score goals. Its highly competitive and encourages players to knock each other while falling about with laughter. Bubble mayhen offers a twist where you won't just play footie but also a range of hilarious games such as Bulldog and Capture the Flag. Sounds like the ideal Galantine’s activity to us! The game originally started as a joke by Norwegian television hosts Henrik Elvestad and Johan Golden in 2011. Now, it’s a popular activity for groups of friends wanting to (quite literally!) bounce off the walls.
A new pursuit has recently been appearing on the list of must-do activities, axe throwing. Quite simply, why throw a dart, when you can hurl an axe?! Its growing availability around pubs in the UK means that you can easily make it a part of your Galantine’s drinks. Who doesn’t like a bit of competitive fun? Just be careful not to accidentally (or deliberately!) sling the hatchet at your mates after you’ve had a few. Eeek!
No matter your age, chances are you’ve swooned over Patrick Swayze and refused to be put in the corner after your attempt at the famous lift went spectacularly wrong. Yes, we are speaking from experience! Dirty Dancing is possibly one of the most exciting and iconic routines to get your blood pumping and the nostalgia flowing. Learn some sexy moves including merengue, cha cha, mambo and salsa from an experienced professional. Think tight white trousers, ’80s perms and moves to make you blush. Dirty Dancing dance classes will give any group of friends looking to celebrate Galantine's Day the chance to let loose and get their groove on.
Virtual Activities for Galentine’s Day
Perhaps you and your best girls don’t live in the same city or even country. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun! Thanks to the powers of modern technology, you can take part in one of our many virtual activities for Galentine’s Day. These experiences take place online, connecting you all and giving you a fun few hours. There’s so much to choose from, from virtual cocktail making to virtual casinos, murder mysteries to comedy shows, gameshows to cheese tastings. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Gift Vouchers for Galentine's Day
Do you fancy treating your besties with a Galentine’s Day gift but aren’t sure what to get? We all know that gift vouchers are always a winner. But instead of getting her a voucher for stuff, why not buy her a Fizzbox gift voucher that she can use to buy an experience? Our gift vouchers are available from £5-£100 and can be used towards thousands of different experiences. She’ll be able to pick whichever activity tickles her fancy. And trust us, the memories she makes will last way longer than something material she can buy!
Free Galentine’s Day Ideas
Parks and Recreation Marathon
Why not take it back to where it all began and settle down with some bubbly and pizza with your besties and watch a marathon of Parks and Recreation. The hilarious sitcom will have your group of mates literally rolling on the floor laughing.
Sleepover Party
Why not relive those nights when friends would stay over as kids? You could put on your very own sleepover party and this time your parents can’t tell you what time to go to bed! Keep up the childhood tradition while also saving pennies and spending quality time with your friends, chatting, watching movies and performing mini makeovers.
Shopping Spree
If you love to spend money, then take the girls out on a big shopping spree. Big shopping centres now have everything you need for a fantastic day out. A bit of retail therapy around Valentine’s Day can’t hurt either!
Book Galentine’s Day Activities Now
We hope you’ve enjoyed the ultimate guide to Galentine’s Day. Check out our full activity listings now to find your perfect experience for the best girls’ night of the year. Whatever you get up to, we hope you enjoy every single minute with your besties. Happy Galentine’s Day everyone!
