VALENTINE’S Day is no longer strictly just for couples. As Love Month festivities are now in full swing this February, more Gen Zs are taking the time to celebrate with their closest friends—embracing the joy of Galentine’s Day.
At its core, love isn’t bound by a two-dimensional romance; it also exists in the friendships we build. Businesses have also added Galentines-themed goodies and activities to their Love Month gimmicks to meet the pressing demand. Regardless of personal beliefs and relationship status, it is only fitting to honor the friends who were there through the highs and lows with a celebration on Galentine’s Day.
A tradition of love and friendship
The term ‘Galentine’s Day’ was coined in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, wherein, in one of the episodes, the main character, Leslie Knope gathered her close friends at a restaurant to catch up and hand out gifts as a sign of her appreciation. What started as a fictional event has now been adopted as an authentic tradition for close pals, proving that love isn’t just between couples but also for friends.
Clexy Jarcia, who will spend Galentines with her single friends, touched on the notable aspect of this tradition, its inclusivity. “Anyone can celebrate Galentines this love month! After all, it’s about the company and the celebration of love in this season,” she shared. While not everyone has a romantic relationship, anyone can round up her closest friends, making it a celebration for everyone.
However, this activity is not reserved for singles; Queenie Aguinaldo, who is in a committed relationship, shared that she made time to celebrate Galentine early with her high school barkada, “Valentine’s is not just about romantic love! I also want to celebrate with the girls who stood by me through the years. They’ve helped me shape the person I am today— the version I’m most proud of, too!” she explains.
Galentines activities don’t necessarily have to be extravagant; for Clexy and Queenie who have been celebrating since 2022, a simple get-together with friends is more than enough. Clexy shared that she anticipates Galentines as a way for them to catch up, “I look forward to spending time with the people I love. I like to hear about their life updates while conversing over new and interesting topics. Good food and good company make a Galentines celebration worth it.” While the activities vary every year, the memories they create make the celebration memorable.
Where celebration meets creativity
The tradition of Galentine’s Day has also attracted the attention of businesses riding the wave of Galentine-themed gifts, pop-ups, and events catering to the growing buzz of the festivity. Kimberly Pacete, the brain behind Crafts by Kim, a business centered on customizing accessories to reflect one’s personality, will host a Galentine’s workshop in collaboration with WabiSabi Café this February 8, where attendees will be able to have fun and create personalized memorabilia to commemorate their friendship.
Anchored on her passion for crafting, Kim shared that they prepared for the workshop a month before ensuring that every detail aligns with the Galentines theme, from the flow, the guides, and the actual crafts to be designed, “I envisioned the Kimmy Doll as a canvas for self-expression and the Heart Mirror Keychain as a small token of love and connection, perfect for celebrating friendships… Every element was designed to ensure that the workshop was not just about crafting but about creating lasting memories together.” she explains.
As a business, Kim believes that the projects she makes must possess both her beliefs and passion, since crafting is her passion, she hopes to share this with her followers and customers, “Galentine’s is incredibly important to me because it celebrates the magic of platonic love and the joy of creating something beautiful with your best friends.” she explains.
When asked about the business’ love month plans for next year, Kim shares that she is highly interested in hosting another workshop, “I would love to do something like this again next year! This event truly captured the essence of what I want to create with Crafts by Kim— a space where people can be creative, connect, and celebrate the little things that make life enjoyable and meaningful.” she adds.
With the Galentines celebration with close friends now a staple in the February rush, it stands as a reminder that love comes in various forms, whether romantic, platonic, or familial. The month of love is about cherishing the people we value dearly. And what a privilege it is—to love and be loved.
