• Celebrating girlhood and the bond of friendship

Valentine’s Day is popular with so many people. Couples around the world flock to buy gifts and flowers for their significant others. Yet, for many women, and especially single women, February is also a time to celebrate their loyal group of girlfriends. Galentine’s Day, traditionally celebrated on the 13 February, is a celebration popularised by the show ‘Parks and Recreation’ and aims to celebrate the power of female friendships. 

“My best friend has been there for me through all of life’s experiences and she knows me better than anyone,” Deborah Andrew, 22, told The Daily Morning Brunch. “We plan a Galentine’s Day date every year and it’s a tradition we truly value as besties.” 

Community and celebration 

Galentine’s celebrations are a chance for women to bond, celebrate and share their lives with the friends who made their day special. Many women choose to meet up with their friends, give gifts and celebrate a day with the women they love. 

“I came across a Galentine’s Day celebration where a few girls were seated around a picnic cloth, dressed in frilly pastels while eating cake and having a good time,” Nethmi Abeysekara, 25, said. 

Abeysekara said that the freedom the girls enjoyed while celebrating stuck with her throughout the years. 

“It kind of looked like a scene out of a regency drama but without the strict social etiquette and chaperoning,” she said. “If you think about it, the effort we put into girl dinners really captures the same kind of special feeling that something like a Thanksgiving turkey or a pot roast does sometimes.” 

Meanwhile, others said that they see Valentines as a fun and often less stressful alternative to Valentine’s Day. 

“The season is all about celebrating love,” Danara Kulathunga, 20, said. “And we all have a massive amount of love for our girls. Contrary to the popular belief that women are jealous of each other, if good women can get together and celebrate love and friendship, I think that’s the most beautiful thing one can ask for.”  

An alternative to Valentines 

While people traditionally celebrated their romantic relationships, being single is slowly losing the shame it once had. 

“People need to realise that single women are not sad, lonely or hopeless,” Anuki Gunawardena, 27, said. “As a single woman, I love getting dressed up and celebrating with my friends.” 

Gunawardena said that a traditional Valentine’s Day puts a lot of pressure on people, especially women past the ages of 25 or 30, to get partners or risk looking undesirable. 

“We were swamped by Valentine’s Day content from an early age,” Gunawardena said. “Since I went to an all girls school the pressure was not too bad but I noticed everyone coupling up and celebrating Valentine’s Day as soon as I left school.” 

Gunawardena said that the growing popularity of Galentine’s Day celebrations, especially those held on the 14 February, reminds everyone that they can be loved irrespective of their relationship status. 

“I love celebrating Galentine’s with my best friend,” Andrew said. “Of course, having a partner is special but friendships deserve to be celebrated too.” 

Andrew said that Galentine’s Day has helped her embrace her identity as a single woman. 

However, many of our readers noted that Galentine’s Day is all about embracing womanhood and isn’t limited to women of a particular marital or relationship status. 

“I’m in a relationship and I have never really celebrated Galentine’s,” Kulathunga said. “I only have a couple of friends but if I am to celebrate, I should make it a thing regardless of my relationship status.”

Galentine’s traditions 

Many women often feel a sense of freedom and pride when hanging out with their friends. It is these feelings that make women so comfortable engaging in the rituals that mean the most to them.

“My schedule is all over and while I might not have time to have the whole picnic setup with the girls, I certainly would make it a point to give the women I meet during the day a chocolate and remind them why they are loved,” Abeysekara said. 

Like Abeysekara, many women celebrate womanhood in a way that feels authentic to them. 

“I always try to do a spa day or make TikToks with my friends,” Rajni Tiwari, 17, said. “Afterwards, we all get together and dance to Sabrina Carpenter and KATSEYE.” 

Tiwari said that she is thankful that Galentine’s Day gives women the chance to be themselves.

“We always worry about being cringe,” Tiwari said. “But time spent with the girls that matter most to us reminds us that we can be ourselves and indulge in traditionally feminine activities without being judged or shamed.” 

Tiwari said that Galentine’s has made women embrace their space and their individuality while creating meaningful memories. 

Women of all ages document their Galentine’s Day celebrations on social media with unique and creative traditions from baking to karaoke to Pilates class. 

“The magical thing about Galentine’s Day is that we get to be creative and express ourselves,” Gunawardena said. “And honestly, this is what we need after all the pressures life and society put on us.” 

Like all those who celebrate, Gunawardena said that the magic of Galentine’s comes with the sense of belonging and being yourself.