Galentine’s Day: The Unofficial Holiday You Never Knew You Needed.

Galentine’s Day: February 13th the day before Valentine’s Day. A fake holiday created to celebrate platonic love between friends. Its the best holiday for girl groups, boo-less squad, or just your perfect excuse to show your girls how much you love them but what exactly is the history behind this holiday, why do we keep celebrating it, and what are some GREAT ways to celebrate it all weekend long?

Galentine’s day is the best way to take a break from the stress-filled week of picking out the perfect gift, making reservations, or self-loathing with a bottle of alcohol because it’s #SinglesAwarenessDay. It’s a single’s safe, bae approved, it doesn’t matter who you’re into kind of holiday. Like National Pizza day or National Margarita day, this isn’t the type of holiday to pop up on your calendar or even be in your planner but it is becoming a favorite. But, how did it get started? I did some extensive research on this and it all points back to Parks and Recreation; a television show where this holiday was made up by a fictional character who said every 2/13 she would gather her friends and they’d kick it brunch style. This fake holiday has become so widely celebrated that even companies are finding the time to use it for promotional needs. So, Thanks, Leslie!

While it is called GALentine’s day this is not a gender-specific holiday so men feel free to call up your bros and kick back with some beers and do whatever guys do together. The point of Galentine’s day is to celebrate and honor the people closest to you in a platonic sense; I mean we have mother’s day, father’s day, grandparents day, romantic partner day (V-Day) why shouldn’t we have a holiday dedicated to your closest guys and gals?

That being said what is a holiday without some fun things to do to celebrate it? Unfortunately, I work on Galentines Day, and Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day weekend ( have I mentioned my job hates me ?) but you know I got you all with some after-work plans, some weekend plans and some things you can even do with bae if G-Day isn’t in your vocab this year.

Thursday Night if you find yourself in Midtown, call up your girls and head over to my FAVORITE bar; Magic Hour. They’re hosting an adorable Galentine’s day event with half off Champagne and Rosè. There is a pop-up shop, guest speaker and just a ton of women empowerment happening. If none of that is your cup of tea, I still recommend checking it out because Magic Hour has transformed itself into the cutest and pinkest spot in New York. So if anything, go for the photo ops… we love a good photo op.

If you fell in love with @MagicHourNY as much as I did the first time I was there, go back on Friday. Let’s be realistic; how many couples do you think you’ll see at a bar on Valentine’s Day? They’re pulling out all the stops on Friday with a live DJ and more. If you want to go all out and take this day to #SpoilYourself head over to Wicked Willies for a 2-hour open bar, delectable snacks, and a live musician for $66*. Although Valentine’s Day is “ totally 10 years ago” if you’re not with your Gals this is the cutest date idea.

On Saturday you ladies already know what to do… ON SATURDAYS WE BRUNCH! However, if brunch is not your cup of tea then (first of all wrong blog) you can spend your Saturday kicking back with the girls and watch To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You then later head out to Brooklyn or The Bronx for a Sip and Paint with the girls or bae.

If all else fails and you’re completely confused about what to do for Valentine’s Day… check out one of my Favorite Youtubers @_justdomeiry (Instagram & Youtube name) Valentine’s Day Video Series. Where she gives tips on how to survive Valentine’s Day single (It’s not drinking wine in bed all day) She does a how to prep for V-Day vid and gives you the cutest looks to serve all weekend long. Whether you’re with Bae or hanging with the Gals she’s got your back with a flex that’ll turn some heads.

As for me, I celebrated Galentine’s Day early at @wearlively G-Day event at their SoHo location. There were hairstylists, booze provided by @summerwater and sooooo much Kombucha. They offered some bra fittings, deals, and the cutest boobie puzzles. If you’re looking for a sign to buy some new bras, this is it. Use my code AMB-_cupofbri for $10 off your first purchase.

While there isn’t much information about Galentine’s Day on the internet aside from Urban Dictionary and that 16th episode of parks and rec, what is obvious is that it is a holiday for love. It’s corny and cheesy and totally cute but it’s a feel-good thing; an opportunity to show the important people just how much they matter or just the perfect excuse to kick it with your girls’ Sex in the City style. So go forth, enjoy and Happy Galentine’s Day.

*Tickets are available for purchase on eventbrite