How To Plan An Epic Galentine’s With Your Girls

It just might be the best day of the year, and it’s not even an official holiday.

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Invented by the fictional Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler), it’s a day to celebrate love between, well, gals.

Enrich the experience by inviting women across generations - grandmothers, mothers, neighbors, sisters, and of course your ride-or-die girlfriends.

Here’s your complete guide to planning an epic Galentine’s Day.

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A Hearty, Sugary Brunch

Brunch is the official meal of Galentine’s day, and waffles are the signature dish. Whip up a batch with a recipe like this classic version from The Pioneer Woman. Or add a little twist with this lemon poppyseed variety. You can even mix up a gluten free batch to make sure there’s a delicious waffle for everyone.

Of course any good brunch has mimosas. Make yours special with a burst of pomegranate, or create a gorgeously on-theme strawberry version.

Since this holiday falls in the middle of winter, consider adding a cozy touch with a hot cocoa bar. You can even make your own marshmallows with the help of Youtube tutorials.

Dip Manis

Once everyone’s fed, it’s time to get your glam on. Whether the ladies favor classic french styles or love a bold multi-color mani, DipWell’s dip powder manis are easy to do at home. Pair everyone up, or let everyone D-I-Y. In less than an hour, you’ll all be sporting gorgeous color that will last up to three weeks with zero chips! And you can do it all from home - no waiting to take turns or getting stuck at chairs across the room - keeping your mani at home lets you chat uninterrupted the whole time.

Looking for nail art inspo? We’ve got you covered with tutorials that cover basic techniques plus effects like marbling, negative space manis, and half moon nails. It’s all right here.

Matinee

Since your day got an early start, make the most of it and snatch a discounted mid-day movie ticket - you deserve it. Make sure you give yourselves plenty of time to stop for popcorn - extra butter, please! Make it easier by ordering your tickets ahead of time.

Get Outside

If the weather permits, sling on a scarf and head outside. These days it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of going from house to car to office to car to house. So, change it up and get some fresh air, even if the hike is really a walk around the block, it’ll still be good for your body, and spirit.

If you’re feeling a tad more ambitious, spend 15 minutes Googling your local greenways and hiking trails - they’re often hidden in urban areas and you might be surprised how many scenic trails are nearby!

Painting or Hand-lettering

Stretch your creative muscles by choosing a fun activity that lets you keep the conversation going while also creating something beautiful.

You can sign up for a local “paint & sip” session, or you can set up your own. There are lots of ideas for hosting your own painting party online.

If your crew isn’t much for painting, you can create beautiful hand-lettering with these free practice worksheets and then have fun choosing an inspirational quote to try out one card stock. They’ll make a great souvenir from your Galentine’s.

Chill With a ‘lil Comfort TV

Watch the original Galentine’s day show for inspiration. Or choose a few episodes of your group’s fave female-led show: think Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or The Mindy Project. Or pick out a heartwarming movie like Little Women, Legally Blonde, or Steel Magnolias. Or get a little fuel for the year ahead with Reese Witherspoon’s Shine On documentary series (the first season is on Netflix).

Swag Bags

Send your gals on their way with something to remember you by. Stuff in a few chocolate chip cookies (Joanna Gaines’ recipe gets rave reviews). And consider a little bigger gift for your mom, sisters, and besties: a DipWell starter kit will keep their nails looking fabulous all year.