How did Galentine’s day start? When did Galentine’s day become a thing?

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate your female friendships this February, you might want to consider Galentine’s day. This unofficial holiday, held on February 13, is all about showing appreciation and love for your gal pals, whether they are single or not.

But where did this idea come from, and how did it become so popular? Here’s a brief history of Galentine’s day and some tips on how to celebrate it.

Galentine’s day was first introduced to the world by Leslie Knope, the main character of the sitcom Parks and Recreation, played by Amy Poehler. In season 2, episode 16, titled “Galentine’s Day”, Leslie organizes a brunch for her female friends at a local diner, where she gives them personalized gifts and compliments.

“What’s Galentine’s day? Oh it’s only the best day of the year,” Leslie explains. “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.”

The episode aired in 2010, and since then, the concept of Galentine’s day has caught on with many fans of the show and beyond. The term “Galentine’s day” is a blend of “Valentine’s day” and “gal”, and it reflects the spirit of celebrating platonic love and friendship among women.

Galentine’s day has become more than just a fictional holiday. It has inspired many people to organize their own events and parties with their girlfriends, as well as marketing campaigns from various brands and businesses. For example, in 2017, Target launched a line of Galentine’s day-themed products, such as mugs, cards, and candles.

Galentine’s day has also been featured in national and international publications, such as USA Today, The Atlantic, Glam, and RTE. Some articles have praised the holiday as a way to empower women and challenge the traditional norms of Valentine’s day, while others have criticized it as being exclusive or commercialized.

Galentine’s Day has also spawned some variations, such as Palentine’s day or Friendentine’s day, which aim to include people of all genders and orientations in the celebration of friendship.

Whatever you choose to do on Galentine’s day, remember to have fun and appreciate your friends for who they are. As Leslie Knope would say: “You know my code: hoes before bros. Uteruses before duderuses. Ovaries before brovaries.”