Galentine’s Day—a day for women to celebrate their friendships with their lady friends. It’s Valentine’s Day with your gals.

What's Galentine's Day? 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. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.

— “Galentine’s Day,” Parks and Recreation, 2010

Galentine’s Day Ideas

• Take a Cooking Class

For food-loving gals (and isn’t that all of us?), taking a cooking class together is the perfect Galentine’s Day party idea. There are cooking classes with the best chefs around the nation, from cooking classes in Baltimore to cooking classes in Austin. After doing some research on cooking classes near you, all that’s left to do is book a class! There are also online cooking classes if you’d rather gather your girls at home but still learn to cook from an expert chef. 

Brunch

• Brunch is an excuse for friends to have fun, relax and indulge in the delicious food presented to them. Add a G-Day spin to a weekend brunch with our Valentine's Day breakfast ideas.
• Rom-Com Movie Night

Gather your girls for a night of binge-watching your favorite romantic movies. There are plenty of options to keep the evening going (including the heartfelt yet ill-fated love story of Why Do Fools Fall In Love).

• Make Candles

Scented candles are a creative Valentine's Day craft that can double as a gift. DIY your own lovely scents with an online tutorial. And since it's a romantic holiday, choose fragrances to fit the mood — jasmine, cherry blossom and lavender are just a few perfect choices.

• Secret Galentine Gift Swap

The week before Galentine's Day, write everyone's names on pink, red or heart-shaped cards. Have them pick a name out of a hat and set a budget for buying presents. When it's finally time to meet on the big day, it'll be such a fun surprise when the secret Santas are revealed (along with the sweetest gifts that come with it!).

• Wine and Chocolate Night

Wine and chocolate make a great combination. Include various options (maybe even these chocolate caramel cookies) and enjoy a night of laughter and fun.

• G-Day Thrifting

There's nothing like the thrill of the hunt. That's why thrifting is the perfect activity to keep everyone engaged. Encourage friends to find pieces (bonus points for vintage items!) related to Valentine's Day. Imagine all the fun they'll have hunting for clothes and accessories in vibrant shades of red, pink and white.

• Cookie Swap

Who doesn't love cookies? Have everyone bake their favorite cookie recipe — from shortbread squares and pecan pie bars to merry meringues and white chocolate thins — then swap them at your gathering. You can check out these Valentine's Day cookie ideas for some of our tastiest options.

• Food Tour

Here's an idea foodies won't want to miss. Take the day to food hop, where you explore popular menu picks at different restaurants or bars. A few days before Galentine's Day, search for any food trucks or pop-ups in your area to add to the list.

• Game Night

Playing games can keep the party engaging. You can create your own games such as Valentine's Day Family Feud or a G-Day scavenger hunt. You can even purchase a classic (like Friend or Faux).