February 11, 2026
Ah, Valentine’s Day—a holiday characterized by love, romance and boxes of chocolate filled with more flavors than anyone could name. But while interpretations of the holiday often revolve around a romantic connection, many forget what it was all about when we were younger—the act of giving friends and peers Valentine’s-themed cards, sweets and trinkets, filling our kid selves with joy!
My point? When you’re younger, Valentine’s Day is a way to celebrate friendship. And there’s no reason for that to change! This is no new discovery; “Galentine’s Day” was coined in 2010 on the TV show Parks and Recreation and has only grown in popularity since. Celebrating with your closest friends and cherishing time together can be just as fulfilling as dinner with a romantic partner.
With the holiday quickly approaching, I’m going to give you a few fun ideas for your next Galentine’s!
Dazzle Away
A recent trend that has dazzled us is taking already-owned objects and transforming them into sparklier versions. With a pack of stick-on “gemstones,” a few rhinestone picker tools and some glue, any accessory can look like it’s straight out of Barbie (and what screams girlhood and delightful empowerment more than Barbie?!).
Who Doesn’t Love Pizza?
There’s nothing better than celebrating with your friends and eating good food; this idea is a twist on just that. With a few packages of premade pizza dough, a couple of bags of your favorite shredded cheese, a jar of marinara sauce and a touch of creativity, you get the perks of fresh pizza and the joy of laughing all in one. Bonus, make it a pajama pizza party!
Sweetest Way to Celebrate
Cake, cookies and cupcakes are even sweeter when you’re sharing them with the people you love. Throw some frosting in a few plastic, resealable bags (cut off a corner and then add piping tips if you want to be extra fancy), gather a few types of sprinkles, grab your favorite desserts and test your decorating skills! The stakes are low, the supplies cheap and it’s one more sweet part of your night.
Dishing out Decorations
Grab your friends and your favorite dinnerware and get to painting! Whether it be a glass, plate or bowl, you can turn any plain old piece of pottery into the cutest kitchen decoration. Add multi-colored hearts, rainbows, your pet or whatever else, the choice is all yours! While it may not be the most functional dish, it will definitely serve the purpose of being appealing to the eye!
Platonic Relationships Rule
Inexpensive activities and a night full of laughter with your friends will leave you with stuffed stomachs, new crafts and full hearts. Love doesn’t need to be expressed through an overpriced dinner, grand gestures or romantic partner—it truly is around you all the time, even in the littlest things and smallest ways.
Celebrating a holiday meant for love with your friends can show how ultimately rewarding our platonic relationships are. After trying at least one of these ideas, I bet that you’ll not only love Valentine’s Day a bit more, but you’ll have an even stronger appreciation for the people around you.