Galentine's Day Explodes Into A Marketing Thing

Celebrating women in February has become a big deal

Years ago, when I was single on Valentine’s Day, I invited some of my female friends over for dinner. I gave everyone a primrose plant and a card, we drank champagne and had a fun women’s evening.

Fast forward to 2010, and the term “Galentine’s Day” popped up in the sitcom Parks and Recreation.

As Amy Poehler’s character said, “It’s only the best day of the year! Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it—breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.”

Since then, Galentine’s Day has swelled into a national marketing effort. Multiple news organizations are running articles about ways to celebrate Feb. 13. The ideas include staycations, manicures and pedicures, book exchanges, cookie exchanges, and goddess parties. (I’m assuming togas are optional.)