Galentine's Day: Because Your Besties Deserve More Than Just Heart Emojis! 💕
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Let's be real - the cynic in me usually side-eyes commercial holidays, but Galentine's Day? That's something I can totally get behind! When it comes to celebrating women (and those who identify as such - we're inclusive here at L&J) and their friendships, I'm all in because these incredible women make life more joyful and meaningful. And while we shouldn't need an excuse to celebrate our besties, hey, we'll take it!
Personally, I've been blessed with a phenomenal group of friends whom I met while pregnant with my eldest daughter. For over 20 years, we've been each other's rocks, spending every Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and countless unforgettable days and nights together. We've shared tears of both laughter and sorrow, and they've stood by me through thick and thin. They've endured my colourful rants, danced the night away with me, and encouraged my business ventures. They undertand when I have to cancel at the last minute due to a chronic illness flare-up and they were there during a cancer scare, held me tight and mopped my tears when I lost my mum, and supported me and my family at her funeral.
What's This Galentine's Malarkey Then? For those wondering, Galentine's Day (February 13th) was born from the brilliant mind of Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. It's basically a whole day dedicated to celebrating your gal pals, lady friends, and non-binary besties who make life infinitely better. No romantic strings attached - just pure, unadulterated friendship love!
16 Fabulous Ways to Celebrate Your Squad:
Brunch Bonanza 🥂 Gather your squad for a boozy brunch. Mimosas, eggs benedict, and endless laughter – what's not to love? Be sure to take the opportunity to make plans for your next few dates together, preferably before the cocktails hit or you could end up agreeing to go paragliding or booking to see some random local saxophonist 🎷
Spa Day 💆♀️ Pamper yourselves with a spa day. Whether it's a DIY spa at home or booking a local retreat, relaxation is a must. Push the boat out and make a weekend of it! Life is so bloody exhausting sometimes and this is the perfect way of unplugging, chilling and catching up with some female energy - even if one of them falls asleep by the pool and misses some of the juiciest gossip 😴
Movie Marathon 🎬 Host a movie night with all your favourite flicks. Bonus points for nostalgic rom-coms and a popcorn bar. Alternatively, hit the cinema for the latest Bridget Jones movie, followed by a trip to your local dessert shop - because life is just better with cheesecake and best friends.
Gift a Lilly & Jude Bag 👜 Spoil your bestie with a luxurious, eco-conscious Lilly & Jude bag. It's more than just a bag; it's a statement of style and sustainability. This should totally be number one on your list!!
Adventure Awaits 🌟 Plan a day trip or a weekend getaway. Explore a new town, hike a scenic trail, or hit the beach – adventure is out there! Hit Groupon and check what jumps out at you, or write a bunch of places onto pieces of paper and let lady luck decide where you should go.
DIY Craft Night 🎨 Get creative with a craft night. Make friendship bracelets, paint pottery, or try your hand at candle making. Fun Fact: My besties and I used to go to a local pottery place and paint pottery, whilst enjoying lovely food and hot gossip... until it became 'the place where we announced our pregnancies', so we knocked that on the head!
City Break 🎭 Book an Air BnB and some tickets to a theatre show. Could be a musical, could be a comedy, could be The Ladyboys of Bangkok! Go extra boujie and book interval cocktails in the bar! 🍸
Book Exchange 📚 Share the love of reading with a book exchange. Pick novels that have inspired you and swap with your friends. There have been some well thumbed 'mucky books' passed amongst our group!
Personalised Scrapbook 📸 Create a scrapbook filled with memories, photos, and inside jokes. It's a heartfelt way to cherish your friendship. You could even set up a digital version and each member of the crew can contribute.
Virtual Meet-Up 💻 If distance is a factor, host a virtual hangout. Games, quizzes, and cocktails can make for a fun-filled online celebration. OK, it might be a bit reminiscent of Lockdown Times, but it's still a great way to catch up!
Ladies that Lunch 🥂 Get fancy with your crew! Start with a cheeky bellini (or three), whip out those diaries, and actually make solid plans for the next few months. Pro tip: If booze isn't your thing, coffee and cake work just as brilliantly!
Flower Power 🌸 Because who doesn't love getting flowers? Go traditional with fresh blooms, get crafty with silk ones, or channel your inner Pinterest queen with handmade paper flowers. Bonus points for sustainable options!
Adventure Squad Assemble 🏎️ Not into the traditionally 'girlie' stuff? Brilliant! Hit up a go-karting track, tackle an escape room, brave a ghost tour, or get nostalgic with some good old geocaching. It's about the memories, not the manicures!
Board Room Shenanigans 🎲 Find a local board game café and let the games begin! Just a heads up - Cards Against Humanity is only recommended if your friendship can handle some seriously salty humour. We don't want any friendship breakups over card games!
Potluck Paradise 🍽️ Host a dinner party where everyone brings their signature dish. The cooking-challenged friend gets drinks duty (we all have one, and we love them anyway!). It's like a friendship feast without the host missing all the fun! This is something my friendhip group does and it works great.
Spoonie-Friendly Celebration 💌 Low on energy but high on love? Keep it beautifully simple. Send a heartfelt message via text, email, or carrier pigeon (okay, maybe not the last one). Sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most.
(Bonus Tip) Hit a nightclub with a pole - Yes, girls who wear pink feather boas and clumsily try to twizzle around a pole, are. bonded for LIFE!
Oh dear... Happy Times - I love these ladies
Make It Extra Special Want to really show your bestie how much they mean to you? Our Lilly & Jude bags are more than just arm candy - they're sustainable, stylish, and made with enough love to match your friendship! Each bag tells a story, just like each friendship does.
The Bottom Line Galentine's Day isn't about grand gestures or perfect planning - it's about celebrating the women who've got your back, wiped your tears, and shared your laughs. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, just make sure your besties know they're appreciated.
Remember, these friendships are the real MVPs of life - they deserve more than just one day of celebration. But hey, we'll take any excuse to show our girls some extra love!
How are you celebrating your squad this Galentine's Day? Drop a comment below - we'd love to hear your traditions! And don't forget to check out our full collection - because nothing says "I love you, bestie" quite like a sustainable, gorgeous Lilly & Jude bag!
So there you have it, my lovelies! Whether you're planning a full-on Galentine's extravaganza or keeping it cozy with a simple message of love, remember - friendship is always in fashion (just like our sustainable bags! 😉) Until next time...
