Galentine’s: The Recap of 1/2 a Decade as a Chronic Single Woman

February is finally here and everywhere you look you'll see two words, Valentine’s and Day. When you’re single, this constant reminder can begin to feel like a personal attack on your loneliness but there’s one key thing to keep in mind: Valentine’s Day is ultimately about celebrating love of all kinds. I learned this lesson 5 years ago when I got tired of being the sulking Grinch of Valentine’s Day while everyone else was out at their romantic candlelit dinner. That’s when I decided to begin my own tradition every February, Galentine’s Day!

Every year since 2016, I have hosted a party for my girls to remind them how much they are loved by their friends. Whether they are single or happily in a relationship, it’s a feel-good time for any woman. Over the years, I have learned that there are three main reasons why my annual party is an absolute must. If you are on the fence about throwing or attending a Galentine’s event, keep reading to find out if you should RSVP as soon as possible.

Galentine's is a MUST- Why?

1. People Get Sick of the Man in their Life

Okay, that may be a little harsh but ask any of your friends who are in a healthy relationship if they're a little sick of their man. If they're being honest, they'll probably say that sometimes, he just drives her crazy! Because of this, Galentine's becomes a sanctuary. It's an occasion to forget all about their responsibilities and, for some, their nagging boyfriend/hubby/partner.

2. Girl Time is Not a Want, It's a Need

Relationships are great and all but sometimes you just need some QT with your girls! Girl time is a safe space to talk, let go, have fun, and just be yourself. In all the chaos of the world, girl time can feel like home and that's the exact purpose of this event. At last year's Galentine's, we opened the floor to nightmare dating stories. There were so many embarrassing moments that were probably difficult to share but in that room, everyone felt free to share them. All of the girls there, whether they knew each other or not, felt for one another and built each other up.

3. With Age, Come Better Parties

I attempted my first ever Galentine’s Day when I was a 17-year-old in high school. The boys didn’t want to take any of the girls out so we decided to stay in and do our own thing. At that age, we were pretty broke so we couldn’t really go anywhere fancy and had no idea of the importance of reservations on Valentine’s weekend. We got all dolled up and attempted to go to a restaurant for dinner only to realize it was a 3.5-hour wait. Rather than wait around, we ended up spending the evening at Taco Bell. Looking back on it, the evening was hilarious but we didn’t think so at the time. All that being said, the older you get, the more you learn how to do things better. You're also probably making more money than you were at 17 which allows you a bit more freedom on what to do for Galentine’s. Bonus? If you're over 21, mimosas or wine make a nice addition to any party.

The Evolution of My Galentine’s Celebration

I officially began hosting Galentine’s Day parties in 2016. I was in college and didn’t quite know what I was doing. However, I knew I wanted to do something. The first year I chose to host 15 girls at my house for a pajama party. No one knew what to expect and no one (except for me and one other girl) showed up in pajamas. We spent the evening eating pizza, taking pictures, and playing games.

In 2017, we leveled up a little bit. It included brunch with 10 girls in a nice part of town, great cocktails and ended with a photoshoot around town. 2018 should have been a great year - it was the year I incorporated gifts from me to every girlfriend who came to the event. We went to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and every girl arrived to a table setting and a gift from me. It was all fun and games until everyone got too full and one girl got food poisoning.

2019 is the Galentine's event to top. I decided to take another stab at my year one idea and it was worth it. I invited over 15 girls for a pajama party, set up Instagram-able photo-ops, had snacks and desserts, played games, and had a story hour where we all exchanged failed romance stories. In 2020 I had a massive brunch buffet I made for the girls at home and watched the second Kissing Booth film. 2021 was the year Dallaska happened, but the day before that girls came over for a sip-and-paint party that got a little rowdy.

2022 was probably my favorite yet! Our group was more intimate so I hosted another epic brunch except this time instead of a movie, we made adult Play-Doh to relieve stress. Now it's 2023 and I'm 30. There is nothing more important in your 30's than loving and taking care of yourself. For that reason, this year we will have light bites and make lip masks for self-care!

Whether you choose to do brunch with a few close friends or host 15 girls over for wine night at your place, there's always a way to make Galentine's fun. All that really matters is that you are spending it with your girlfriends. If this didn’t convince you how great and necessary Galentine’s Day is, I’m not sure what will. However, if you are ready to take the jump and have your own Galentine’s Day party, let me know! I would love to share some pointers. Make sure to tag me in pictures of you and your gal pals on Instagram @shabbyt. Happy love month!

XOXO,

SHAB