Valentine's Day is out, Galentine's Day is in

Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday. Valentine's Day is the death of love and a shameless celebration of the cheapest consumerism. Valentine's Day is a good opportunity to celebrate love, which is always needed. On Valentine's Day, you should fly to Paris (or somewhere else) and give each other diamonds as big as apricots and 2345 long-stemmed red roses. Regardless of your stance on February 14, whether moderate or extreme, one thing is certain: you might appreciate Galentine's Day, celebrated the day before. For several reasons: 1) It shifts the focus from couples to the bond of female friendship 2) Remains an occasion for celebration 3) It's a celebration full of positive feelings. So enough talk: choose a place, a theme, and message your female friends: February 13 is all yours.

The Origin of Galentine's Day

The origin of Galentine's Day is funny and recent. No pagan holiday rebranded as Christian, no naturalistic reason like the arrival of spring or lengthening days, no medieval saint involved. It was invented by Leslie Knope, the lively and naive protagonist of the TV comedy series Parks & Recreation, who - as a woman passionate about her career, lover of her friends but also chronically single - decided to celebrate by gathering her girls for tea, a slice of cake, flowers, and gifts. In stark contrast to Valentine's Day, she decided to call this new tradition Galentine's Day from "gal." Since that episode, the sixteenth of the second season, aired in 2010 on NBC, many girls have decided to imitate Leslie and celebrate with their friends. Not just a tea with cake. The Galentine's Day with friends could involve a brunch table (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, it doesn't matter), a movie night, or taking a terracotta or painting class. Honestly? You can do whatever you want, as long as it's in the name of female friendship. Prohibited from monopolizing the conversation with talks about men and crushes.

Why It's More Popular Than Ever

Even though the origin is more pop than ever, this doesn't mean the celebration lacks social and even anthropological foundations. Unlike the Singles Day, which is "celebrated" on February 15 purely as a negative reaction to Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day takes a step forward. It offers an alternative and a different view of life, leaving behind the couple as the only possibility for fulfillment and social security, and puts friendships at the center of our lives, to be actively cultivated and increasingly prioritized, even in adulthood. And good for that, we would add. It becomes even more important in a historical moment where making friends is very difficult, but the concept of girlhood has never been so strong and identifiable. Why not celebrate it all together, then?

Do We Have to Choose Sides?

Of course, the two celebrations are not competing for the title of the most valid occasion of all. And while it's interesting to note how our lives are changing from a relational perspective - what we prioritize now compared to before - this doesn't mean celebrating is mandatory, especially if it involves the unrestrained purchase of frankly useless things (unless you're talking about chocolate, which is always necessary). If we're lucky enough to have a loving partner, a healthy relationship, and many friends, though, why not celebrate? We have all the reasons, and being aware of it and training ourselves to recognize our gratitude can only have positive effects.