Single this Valentine’s? Get yourself a Galentine

A representational image
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Remember those sleepovers with your best friends, filled with laughter and late-night secret swapping? Galentine’s Day is just like that, but a grown up version.

Forget the curfews and stolen snacks; now it is all about cute cafes and art workshops. This February, while couples are battling for reservations and overpriced roses, many single women are choosing to celebrate the day in a more relaxed manner, with their best friends.

Galentine’s Day, which originated from the popular sitcom Parks and Recreation, has now transcended its fictional origins to become a genuine celebration of female friendship. While February 13remains a popular choice, inspired by the sit com, the festivities often span the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. This is not just a pre-Valentine’s Day consolation prize; it is a a dedicated time to honour the women who are your chosen family.

The beauty of Galentine’s Day lies in its flexibility. While some prefer themed parties, with personalised gifts and flashy decorations, others prefer low-key gatherings, like cosy movie nights and baking a cake together. “We’re doing a movie evening in my home, followed by dinner,” shares Monica S, a Mathematics major from Ethiraj College for Women. “It’s the perfect way to relax and catch up.” She adds with a laugh, “Plus, it’s a great excuse to wear face masks and gossip”.

A still from Parks and Recreation
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

This is also a time to launch fresh traditions. “This year, we’re starting a Galentine’s Secret Santa,” reveals Julie Dcouto, an architect in the making from RVS Chennai Padmavathy School of Architecture. “We’re exchanging small, thoughtful gifts, kind of like a Secret Santa, focussing on each other’s favourite things or guilty pleasures. It’s a fun way to show our appreciation and make each other feel special.” From personalised trinkets to handwritten notes, these gifts are more than materialistic; they are expressions of love and support among friends.

Kalamalini, a student from Anna University, has her own unique take on Galentine’s Day. “I’m planning a relaxed day with my friends,” she says. “We’re going to play Ludo, and binge-eat all day!”

Whether it is a lavish bash or a quiet night in, Galentine’s Day is a reminder of the power of female friendships. It is a chance to celebrate the women who are your rock, and partners in crime. It is a day to laugh, cry, support each other’s dreams, and to simply enjoy the irreplaceable bonds. As Julie so eloquently puts it, “Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, and who better to celebrate that with, than my girls?