Valentine’s Day: Leslie Knope Style

Galentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on February 13th, the day before Valentine’s. While February 14th is all about romantic dates, flowers, and heart-shaped chocolate boxes, the 13th focuses more on the importance of female friendship. This holiday came to be in an episode of the comedy show Parks and Recreation, where the character Leslie Knope gathers a group of her closest best friends to celebrate being together. It is not an official holiday yet, but many regard it as just important as Valentine’s Day. Every year, women around the world shower their girlfriends with love and gifts, commemorating one of the most important bonds: friendship. The goal of Galentine’s Day is to celebrate feminism and friendships with women.

So, how exactly do you celebrate G-Day? Since it is a newer holiday, there are no specific traditions that you have to follow; you don’t have to dress up in a costume like for Halloween, or decorate a pine tree like for Christmas. It can be as laid back or formal as you like – you make your own rules. Most celebrators of Galentine’s Day tend to take ideas from Leslie Knope, inviting their friends over for brunch. In Leslie’s words, “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style.”

However, if brunch is not your thing, you can host a party or opt for a casual hangout with your closest pals. Other ideas include going to a park for a picnic, meeting your friends for a bake-off, or going shopping. If you and your friends are interested in reading, consider hosting a book exchange or poetry night. The list of possibilities is endless. However you choose to spend the day, the most important thing is for you to have fun with your friends and enjoy yourself.