The new spin-off of Valentine’s Day called Galentine’s has cleared out every chocolate box, flower and plushie isle in sight ever since it has gained popularity. Unlike Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s strives to celebrate female friendships and bonds rather than romantic ones. Millions of girls across the globe have begun to take part in the new tradition, strengthening their new and pre-existing friendships.
Leaving friends behind from high school after graduating is a continuing struggle for friends. However, Chloe Caulfield ’25 believes that celebrating Galentine’s is the key to maintaining those friendships even after graduation.
“It’s fun to pick up gifts for them because it is a great bonding experience, especially before we go off to college,” Caulfield said. “It will probably be our last Galentine’s together, so it will definitely be hard to part with them.”
Being able to have a day dedicated to friendships maintains bonds within friend groups, limiting the chances of a breakup due to the distance that going to college brings. For those who are not in college, Galentine’s is a day to get together with friends and enjoy Valentine’s Day-themed food and drinks. Katie Crane ’26 prefers Galentine’s over Valentine’s Day, because of the festivities and joy that the tradition brings.
“Everybody gets dressed up, and it is something fun to do with really good food,” Crane said. “I love Galentine’s because I get to hang out with my friends and celebrate our friendships.”
Not only is the holiday fun for those who are looking to get together with friends, but it also allows those not in romantic relationships to celebrate the ones that they love. Morgan Mannino ’26 is looking forward to celebrating the festivities with her girlfriends and taking part in the tradition for her friend group for the second year in a row.
“It’s very important to celebrate the friends that you have made in relationships. It’s fun to celebrate with my friends and have good food together,” Mannino said. “In the past years, it has become more prominent than Valentine’s Day.”
Galentine’s has become a tradition that allows those in relationships or out of relationships to share gratitude towards one another and show appreciation for long-lasting friendships. The new tradition is here to stay, and will only continue to become more popular as the years go by.
“Galentine’s Day is special to me because I get to celebrate the ones that are closest to me on the holiday,” Caulfield said. “It is just another way to show appreciation to my friends, and it makes us feel very loved and connected.”
