In the month of February, companies play Cupid and aim their arrows at consumers in love. Stores everywhere are shelved with bunches of roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and the words “be mine” plastered on teddy bears. The pressure to spend excessive amounts of money for a significant other has consumed the purpose of Valentine’s Day entirely. However, modern traditions prove that the holiday does not only concern romantic connections and giving gifts to represent one’s love, but can also be celebrated by the platonic love of female friendship.
Galentine’s Day is a trending tradition that twists the day of February 14 from tacky to tender-hearted. Named after episode 16 of “Parks and Recreation” entitled “Galentine’s Day,” the holiday is a way to celebrate the importance of connections between women, young and old. Galentine’s Day gained attraction through the wide-spread pictures and videos which circulated on social media. The color palette of pinks, reds, and whites associated with the event combined with the earthy tones of floral arrangements serves for the perfect aesthetic in every post.
Many Wolverines took it upon themselves to host and participate in the modern holiday. Complete with mouth-watering menus, artsy activities, and romantic-comedy movie watching, many Galentine’s Day parties took place on the weekends following and previous to Friday, February 14. Senior Cara Infante participated in the friendship-fueled festivities, hosting a Galentine’s party of her own. A highlight of Infante’s celebration included the requirement for each attendee to bring their own food board, creating a potluck-style dinner. “It wasn’t planned in the beginning, but my friend had mentioned bringing boards of different kinds of foods so that everyone would be satisfied, and we just went with that,” she elaborated. The hostess created a sushi board for all of her friends to enjoy, while other attendees brought traditional charcuterie and desserts.
During sophomore Taylor Wilson Galentine’s party, Wilson and her friends took a dip in her hot tub, watched movies with their favorite heart-throb actors, and of course, took some Instagram-worthy pictures. The group was dressed to impress as they wore color-coordinated sweaters and blue jeans which created the perfect aesthetic for every photo. “It [Galentine’s Day] just brings us all together and shows that sometimes, all you need is a good group of girl friends, and you don’t always need a guy to ‘make you happy,’” Wilson stated.
For junior Amanda Dickson, hosting a Galentine’s party served as a perfect excuse to see her friends and prepare an elaborate assortment of food. “I was so lucky to get to experience Galentine’s with the people I love the most and who have helped me through so much: my girlies!” she explained. Dickson’s well-thought-out menu was decidedly her favorite part of hosting. From the salami rose on the heart-shaped charcuterie board, to a serve-yourself pasta bar, and a chocolate fondue station, Dickson’s guests were sure to be full when they left the hostess’s house. She commented, “I would highly recommend using Valentine’s Day as an excuse to show the love you have for everyone around you.” Combating the social normalities put on high school girls to find romantic connections, Galentine’s Day focuses on the power that platonic love has and is especially important in the lives of teenagers.