Admit it.
A single girl, no matter how differently she pretends, hates Valentine’s Day. She finds herself on Feb. 14 annoyed and discomfitted, surrounded by happy couples. She might get on her feminist soapbox for a few minutes, but eventually reverts to ranting about the Hallmark holiday it has become and the pointlessness of it all.
The fact is, Valentine’s Day is overrated. Not just for single girls, but for everyone. There is so much pressure placed on having a perfect romantic experience with that special person. We are bombarded with images and music of how our relationships are supposed to be, and we struggle to meet these ideals. It’s stressful, taxing, and often disappointing.
So there are two options to combat the Valentine’s Day blues.
You can sink into a sad stupor, stuffing your face with heart-shaped candies. This doesn’t seem like a pleasant way to start a five day weekend, though.
Or, you can take a leaf out of an old Parks and Recreation episode and use Feb. 13 to celebrate “Galentine’s Day.” The idea is simple. It’s a day of celebration for single girls to celebrate cherished friendships and the unparalleled quality of being single. Whether you want to have a typical Girl’s Night In, or a day filled with fun delights, Galentine’s Day is sure to become a favorite holiday filled with new traditions. So grab your “gal pals” and check out some activities to have a quality day!
Fun things to DO!
When it comes to things to do, the possibilities are almost endless, but it’s probably smart to avoid activities that lead to insecurities and sadness concerning the highly-celebrated Valentine’s Day. That includes hanging out with lovey-dovey couples, going to weddings, or anything else that could cause one to regret being single, a perfectly natural and healthy thing to be. It’s also a good idea to keep things upbeat, so that means no overly sad discussions of past relationships or the lack thereof, and no homework, complaining, or fights. Galentine’s Day is a day to be happy and avoid the ever-growing trend of the anti-Valentine’s Day blues.
To celebrate Galentine’s Day in a traditional way, it’s always fun to have a slumber party with friends, do makeovers, paint nails, and make brownies.Time spent with close friends is always fun, even if there hasn’t been anything planned to do. Plus, there’s no school the next day, so an all-nighter is totally a possibility.
If the topic of being single comes up, as it so often does at sleepovers, it’s probably a good idea to do something to occupy the mind. Board games, as tiresome as they sound, are the perfect distraction. My personal favorites are the Five Second Rule, Fact or Crap, Quelf, and Apples to Apples. They make the players think on the spot and step outside their comfort zones.
For those of us who enjoy more untraditional celebrations, there’s nothing that’s too over-the-top. Doing something new and exciting is a great way to recognize all the things in life we have yet to discover, including future relationships. When realizing the abundance of things not yet experienced, one can understand that life could go in countless directions, and no one knows what might be waiting around the corner.
One fun thing a lot of people haven’t done is take a cooking class. A very untraditional place for this is Ferris and Fosters, a chocolate factory in Baldwin Park where customers can enjoy making their own truffles and fun-shaped chocolate treats. It’s something new and refreshing, like a cooking class, mixed with something familiar, chocolate: a go-to staple for single girls. A combination like that one can’t possibly go wrong.
Galentine’s Day is also the perfect opportunity to face one’s fears, maybe by going bungee jumping on I-Drive, playing paintball for the first time, or trying out the ropes course at the Sanford Zoo. Being courageous is an exciting way to get adrenaline pumping and feel those butterflies that are so often missed amongst the single. Really, on Galentine’s Day, any crazy, fun thing to do is welcome. The important thing is to do it with friends and to love oneself while doing so.
Fun things to EAT!
Of course, no party is complete without some good eats. You can take the traditional route of Valentine’s Day candy as a party snack— but isn’t the whole point to avoid Valentine’s Day? Chocolate candies simply will not make the cut this time.
Instead, sit down to a hearty meal at Texas De Brazil. At this restaurant, it’s okay to stuff your face with meat. Servers carry grilled meat on skewers throughout the restaurant and offer it to diners. You’re literally surrounded by meat. It can’t get better than that.
The variety is astonishing, and the meats are delicious. The desserts are beautifully delicious, and your friends will fight for the last bite of Brazilian Cheesecake. There won’t be enough space in your stomach to feel bad about yourself. The perfect complement to the food is the conversation you and your friends will bring to the table.
If you’re not ready to sit down and relax, take your party into dinner time at Taverna Opa. The mouth-watering Mediterranean food is sure to spark conversation and taste fantastic. The fresh appetizers, like the classic hummus dip, are great for sharing (even though you probably won’t want to). For entrees, try classics like Kleftico, a savory lamb dish served with Greek cheese, or Moussaka, a creamy eggplant dish.
Be sure to save room for dessert: sweet Baklava is a favorite, a rich pastry filled with walnuts, cinnamon, and honey.
After 7p.m., the party will really start. Taverna Opa has a cast of belly dancers that serve as dinner entertainment. There are piles of paper napkins on every table, so diners can throw the papers in the air in celebration. It’s a rollicking party, sure to be full of laughter, great photos, and pushing boundaries. Braver friends can partake in the belly dancing, and everyone is sure to have a blast.
Fun things to SEE!
Curling up with a favorite movie and a few close friends is always a great option for a hangout. Though it may seem tempting to rent The Notebookand sigh over Ryan Gosling, it doesn’t really differ from any other movie night with the girls.
For a Galentine’s Day movie marathon, one can’t go wrong with some classic Audrey Hepburn movies. Staples like Breakfast at Tiffany’s will have you humming “Moon River” for days, and the fantastic Roman Holiday will have you and your gal pals cracking up in a matter of minutes. Finally, launch into musicals like My Fair Lady and Funny Face, and sing along to the whimsical tunes. The allure of Hepburn is as magical as any old Valentine’s Day date, and the ensuing discussion with your friends will flow more gracefully than an awkward conversation with a crush.
If a movie night seems a little too slow, take your friends on a different adventure. Turn the evening into a Sports Night Out. The change of pace will be invigorating and refreshing, and the competition will keep you glued to the screen. The Orlando Magic are playing the Atlanta Hawks on Galentine’s Day itself, so prepare yourself for an action-packed night. Even if you’re not into sports, you’d be surprised how exciting the game can become when everyone cheers on the home team.
Blow Valentine’s Day out of the water by snagging tickets to Imagine Dragons. The alternative band is performing at the House of Blues on February 14th and they are sure to bring the house down. The hit “It’s Time” is the perfect anthem for you and your girls. The catchy lyrics— “I don’t ever wanna let you down/ I don’t ever wanna leave this town” will remind you why you love hanging out with your girls. A concert, best friends, good times? Those happy couples sure are missing out.
