Galentine’s: Gift Guide 101: A “How-To” on Gift Giving in the Season of Love
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your closest friends, because why should this day only be about couples? Getting your friend’s galentine’s gifts is a great way to spread the love to those closest to you. Sometimes having the friends who’ll outlast any relationship with you on the holiday of love can be more beneficial than with anyone else.
Galentine’s Do’s and Don'ts
First, we should think over how to go about an amazing Galentine’s Day. There are some things that are great to do or talk about. But, there are also some topics or actions that should be avoided. This is just some food for thought about interactions you’ll have on Valentine’s Day, not a hard set of rules to follow.
Do’s-
If you know that you and some friends want to do a gift exchange, talk about a priceline for gifts. Talking things out first makes sure everyone is happy and comfortable at the end of the day. Next, think things through. Going to the Valentine’s selection at a store and getting the first thing you see isn’t the best idea. Be conscious in your choice and try to go for something thoughtful. It’s important to recognize that you care for someone in a way that says you see them. Finally, and probably the most exciting advice, plan a surprise gift. Say you have a friend that’s been a little down lately and don’t want to pressure them into buying you anything. What better way to make their day than to surprise them with a well thought gift? Sometimes unexpected gifts can mean even more than one’s that are known.
Don’ts-
One of the most important things is don’t forget to wrap or decorate your Galentine’s gifts. Don’t be scared to get creative, decorations don’t always have to mean something expensive. Something as simple as handmade cards would make any gift even more special. Another thing to avoid is getting anything that jokes about being single. Yes it can be all in good fun, but no one needs the reminder that they haven’t yet found their special someone. Something I’ve seen often is coupled friends trying to find their single friend a person to go out with. While the intention may be sweet, this is not the day. A first date on the national day of love may send the wrong message or just give first introductions an awkward atmosphere.
Gift Giving Themes
Now, onto what gifts to give. There’s many different ways to give since there are so many people out there. Based on your Galentine’s plans, I have a few different themes that you can follow. Now, they won’t fit everyone, but they can be helpful for most circumstances.
Affordable-
The best way to give gifts on a budget is to DIY. With the amount of creative outlet related to crafting it should be easy to find something Valentine themed to create. My best advice is to use a hobby of your own that you don’t typically do for others. If you like to knit or crochet, you could make a small fashion piece. If your skills lie more on the side of baking, a small themed cake or batch of cookies would be great as well.
Big Groups-
Sometimes you can be in a group of friends who are all single, but it can seem daunting to try and think of gifts for everyone. Instead, you could have a Valentine’s themed gift trade. Now each person only has to bring one gift and everyone still benefits. Another idea, my personal favorite, is to host a Galentine’s party. Themed dinners have been on the rise and no option sounds quite as good for a big group to celebrate. Each friend can put their talents to use in collaboration for the event. Whether it’s cooking or decorating, everyone will have fun planning and attending.
Duo Date-
If you are like me and are surrounded by couples, sometimes it’s best to just grab your best friend and enjoy each other’s company. There are a lot of options that can get you to go out of the house and into some fun. First, you could go to the movies. Many theaters have rom-com features the week or weekend of Valentine’s. If movies aren’t your thing, you could go to dinner or dessert. Like theaters, restaurants live a holiday special. There’s nothing better than a lavish meal or something sweet on Valentine’s Day. I know some people don’t like to spend money on smaller holidays, so another option would be to simply dress up and just take pictures. Go out, find a Pinterest worthy spot, and post something cute.
References
McConaghy, M. K. (2024, October 10). Essential tips for hosting a memorable themed dinner party. Curated Events. https://curatedevents.com/blog/essential-tips-for-hosting-a-memorable-themed-dinner-party/
Torres, T. (2020, February 12). Why spending Valentine’s with friends is just as good, if not better. NOLISOLI. https://nolisoli.ph/74523/valentines-with-friends-ttorres-20200212/amp/
Graphic by Kayla Pyrtle