Sure, everyone knows about Valentine’s Day- but what’s more important is: Feb. 13th, or Galentine’s Day. This holiday made its debut on the show “Parks and Recreation.” In episode 16 of the show’s second season Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, described it as 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,” Knope defined the holiday in the episode. “Ladies celebrating ladies.”
1. Brunch
If you are wanting to celebrate Galentine’s Day, first you’ll want to call all of your closest girlfriends and start this amazing holiday off with brunch. If you really want to channel Leslie Knope, order waffles smothered in whipped cream, because there is no food finer. JJ’s Diner, Leslie’s fictional favorite restaurant in show, isn’t real, so any restaurant will do. You could also save a little cash and cook a homemade brunch.
2. Compliments
Throughout the day you want to make sure you are showering your friends with compliments. If you need some inspiration here are some of Leslie’s most notable compliments:
• “Beautiful tropical fish”
• “Poetic and noble land mermaid”
• “Opalescent tree shark.”
3. Gifts
Instead of spending a fortune and searching every store to find the perfect gifts for your friends, you can make gifts that are more heartfelt and specific to that friend. Leslie is the queen of gift giving, so if you need ideas you could always make a mosaic portrait of your friend made from crushed bottles of their favorite soda, like she did. Or write a personalized 5,000 word essay on why they are awesome, which yes, she also did.
4. A “Parks and Recreation” marathon, of course
When the end of the night is approaching, you can’t go wrong with a movie night or even a “Parks and Recreation” marathon (specifically the Galentine’s Day episodes, season 2 episode 16 and season 6 episode 16.) But most importantly, remember this day is about you and your best girlfriends having fun and celebrating each other. Like Leslie Knope says, “Ovaries before brovaries.”