How to Celebrate Galentines Day and Practice Self-Care This Year

Although Galentine’s Day falls on a Thursday for 2020, that doesn’t mean you can’t plan a little weekend nosh with some friends to celebrate the power of female friendships. Pick your favourite spot, meet early and linger while you celebrate all the love you have for your amazing friends.

Not sure where to go? If you’re in Toronto or the vicinity, check out our very own Slice Squad’s local guide to Toronto hot spots.

Missing the days of party dresses and snazzy dress pants and dancing the night away? Why not make Galentine’s a fancy night on the town?

Plan to wear your fave outfit, grab your Galentine(s) and plan a night on the town complete with a nice dinner, a fancy cocktail bar, and anything else your heart desires. But remember, not everyone drinks, and even if you do, plan to go easy on yourself so you don’t have a Galentine’s hangover that lasts all weekend! Also worth noting, just because it’s fancy doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. Keep it simple and your night will be a blast.

RELATED: 20 must-have winter dresses under $200 in Canada.

Who doesn’t need a bit of relaxation and rest these days? Grabbing some of your pals and heading to an inclusive, budget-friendly spa is one of the best ways to beat those winter blues.

Whether you’re looking to relax with a massage, soak in a hot tub, or just eat a healthy lunch and snooze in a hammock, a day at the spa could be exactly what you and your gal-pals need to remind you how much you love each other.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Most serene hot springs in the world.

Have you ever been surprised by flowers for no reason? It can be a real pick-me-up regardless of if you’re having a bad day (week, month, or even year). With that in mind, why not take the time on Galentine’s Day to send your favourites some flowers?

You don’t have to break the bank, either. Bouquets filled with carnations, daisies and alstroemeria (Peruvian lillies) are cheap and cheerful. While you’re at it, why not pick up a few blooms for yourself, too?

Remember slumber parties? Why not set up your own in-home throwback night in with all your friends including snacks, your favourite movies and some timeless beauty treatments?

Even if your friends don’t spend the whole night in, a pyjama party complete with all your favourites is a great way to connect and share some goss. And if you do decide on a complete sleepover, you can head directly to brunch the next morning and not worry about anyone being late.

If staying in isn’t your thing, why not head out to the theatre and catch a movie featuring a strong female lead for Galentines? And lest you think that you won’t find something up your ally, February is full of women-centred stories in all genres.

If you’re into comic book movies, you could check out Birds of Prey: The Emancipation of Harley Quinn starring Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rosie Perez (to name a few), or if drama is more your thing, the art house BAFTA nominated Portrait of a Lady on Fire is getting wide release this month. Whatever you’re looking for, February is chock-full of Galentine friendly features. Just don’t forget the popcorn.

TV more your thing? Take it back to the originator of Galentine’s Day with the Amy Poehler sitcom Parks and Recreation. You can start right from the beginning, or just pick and choose your favourite episodes (don’t forget to watch the Galentine’s episode — Season 2, episode 16). Either way, treat yourself by streaming on Prime.

Can’t get enough of Amy Poehler? Check out what she has to say about motherhood along with other celebrity moms!

Say it with food, right? Tell your friends how sweet they are by hosting an indulgent dessert party. Whether you bake everything yourself, order an array of sweets from a local bakery, or make it potluck style, setting up a table full of all your favourite treats, and some inspired cocktails or wine parings for those who drink and snack the night away.

The best part? You can send your friends home with the leftovers, saving a few delicious pieces for yourself to share at the office, with your family, or keep all to yourself.

SEE ALSO: No-bake dessert recipes.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to make a perfect souffle, or conquer that rock wall at the gym. Now’s the perfect opportunity to make that happen! Grab one or more friends, book your class and spend the night doing something new.

You can hit up a fitness class, try cooking, or even find a local circus school and fly high on the flying trapeze. Whatever your heart desires.

You don’t always get to see your besties, especially if they live far away, so why not plan a good old-fashioned phone call? Taking the time to catch up remotely is a great way to reconnect (or stay connected) to friends you don’t get to see very often, and with technology, you can actually see your friends in real time.

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate your friendships this Galentine’s Day, remember that the day is about the power of women and our special bonds, and those can’t happen in your life without you. Happy Galentine’s Day!

RELATED: 15 ways to keep your friendships healthy and thriving.