February 2024
Celebrating sisterhood
If the phrase Sisters before Misters is your mantra and you swear by your sisterhood, then Galentine’s Day is a holiday made just for you!
In recent years, Valentine's Day has seen a delightful expansion beyond its traditional romantic confines. Enter Galentine's Day, a celebration of female friendship that has swiftly risen to prominence, capturing hearts and Instagram feeds worldwide. Corporates and brands have cashed in on it too with exclusive Galentine’s Day trends and Galentine’s Day campaigns. Definitely expect this hashtag to trend!
Originating from the popular TV show "Parks and Recreation," Galentine's Day falls on February 13th, serving as a pre-Valentine's Day occasion for women to honour their bonds of friendship. Before you dismiss it as just another fad from a TV show, take note that this ‘fictional holiday’ has blossomed into a real-life phenomenon, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and the celebration of various forms of love.
Galentine's Day embodies the essence of camaraderie and solidarity among women. It's a day for brunches with your girlfriends, heartfelt conversations with the gals, and the exchange of small tokens of appreciation. From handwritten notes to homemade treats, the gestures shared on Galentine's Day emphasize the importance of nurturing platonic relationships and being there for the girls! In a world often fixated on romantic love, this celebration offers a refreshing reminder of the power and beauty of friendship.
But Galentine's Day is just one example of the expanding landscape of offshoot holidays that celebrate different aspects of love and connection. Singles Awareness Day (SAD), observed on February 15th is a light-hearted acknowledgement of singlehood, encouraging individuals to embrace their independence and enjoy the perks of solo living. It's a day for self-love, self-care, and perhaps a bit of playful indulgence. Or like days around Thanksgiving for instance. After you are done with the feast on Thanksgiving Thursday, get ready to shop till you drop on Black Friday at stores, at the local farmer’s market on Small Business Saturday, and take it online on Cyber Monday!
As Galentine’s Day trends, the rise of these offshoot holidays reflects a broader cultural shift towards recognizing and celebrating diverse forms of love and connection. Cynics might see this as an added opportunity for brands to create Galentine’s Day campaigns over and above what they do for Valentine’s Day and the perfect opportunity to sell a few more products.
But as Tina Turner, the Queen of rock n roll put it, “What’s love got to do with it?”
