Friendship First

Galentine’s Day Is Better Than Valentine’s Day

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The day before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 13, is a day dedicated to celebrating friendships and is referred to as Galentine’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate with the gals in your life, whether they be long-term female friends, moms, grandmas or even some male friends. The unofficial holiday originated from an episode of the TV show “Parks and Recreation,” where a character throws an annual party with her friends called Galentine’s. For Galentine’s, some groups enjoy brunch, others a karaoke night, but whatever they do, the end goal is to have a fun night dedicated to friendship. The day following Galentine’s is Valentine’s, the romantic version of the holiday, and while both have their charm, Galentine’s is significantly better. 

Friendships can be lifelong, sometimes being even more significant than romantic relationships. Some friends are there from kindergarten, sports, work or other situations. They often know you better than you know yourself. Despite this, friendships tend to be overlooked, appreciated yet brushed aside. That's why a specific day for friendship, like Galentine’s Day, is so important. Aside from individual birthdays, there’s no widely recognized day to celebrate friendships and reflect on their journeys. Friends offer love, care and laughter. Research shows that they improve mental health, even more so than spouses. That's why it’s important to have a dedicated day to honoring these platonic bonds. Other relationships have their special days, but friendships that mean just as much don't. That’s what makes Galentine’s Day a meaningful and valuable celebratory day. 

The length of friendships differ, but friends are known to last long. Many friendships, especially ones with siblings, last longer than romantic partners. Sociologist Gerald Mollenhorst found that most friendships have a turnover around every seven years. That means, on average, friendships last a minimum of seven years. Seven years is plenty of time; it can include graduating high school, earning your first degree, getting your first job and moving into your own place. Friendships are there through life’s milestones, offering support, relief and fun; they give a lot to be thankful for. Galentine’s Day is a time to sit down with those who have been there for so long, celebrating your journey together by doing any activity you love. It’s a chance to properly commemorate what’s lasted so long.

Additionally, a positive aspect of celebrating Galentine’s Day is its being less commercialized and more inclusive. Valentine's Day has gifts associated with it, such as flowers, chocolates, expensive dinners and more. Galentine’s Day is flexible; it can be anything. Whether it’s a cheap activity, small gifts or a massive party, at its root, the intent is honoring friendships. Because it's more recent, with the idea debuting in the 2010s, there's no set way to do it, which decreases expectations. This makes it casual and less pressurized. Celebrating can be as simple as watching a movie with face masks on. Galentine’s Day is also inclusive because it’s for anyone, regardless of their relationship status. While other holidays are exclusive because of romance, Galentine’s is for everyone.

Some believe that Valentine’s Day holds more significance because it celebrates romantic relationships, which are relationships that also matter. Valentine’s Day celebrates romantic connections and gives couples time to express their love for each other. It’s important because it’s a day for couples with the person they consider their “person.” Galentine’s Day is viewed as more unofficial, as there are days such as Friendship Day that can be used to celebrate them.

But it’s worth recognizing that couples have anniversaries to do the same thing as Valentine’s Day. In friend groups, friends meet on different days, but with a relationship, couples are able to have a set date that signifies something in their relationship, one that holds special meaning, often more meaning than Valentine’s Day. As for Friendship Day, it’s easily overlooked due to lack of recognition, whilst Galentine’s Day is intentional with its message of directly celebrating friendships with some sort of activity. Moreover, Friendship Day is Aug. 3, which resides in summer vacation for some, causing conflicting schedules, while February is a time of year that tends to be more available to make plans. 

Though Valentine’s Day holds its own significance, offering a chance to celebrate romance, they both have the intent to celebrate a loved one; they just differ with their subject. Overall, Galentine's Day is the better February holiday.