Forget Valentine’s Day – it’s all about Galentine’s day

galentine's day

by Lorna White |
Updated on

If romance isn't on the cards for you this Valentine's day, there's no need to feel like you're missing out. Galentine's Day, annually celebrated on February 13th (the day before Valentine's). It's all about sharing the love with your best gal pals.

Whether they're the one to always make you laugh on those days when you really don't feel like smiling, or they're the one who knows how to pick you up when you're down with a cuppa and a hug, Galentine's Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing women in your life. So, lets hear it for girl power.

Best at a glance:

The best overall Galentine's Day gift: Best-tea Mug, £9.85
The best Galentine's Day gift for memories: Personalised 'Favourite Human' Best Friend Photo Frame, buy for £9.50
The best Galentine's Day gift for humour: Swizzles Love Hearts Fries Before Guys Soft Toy, £14

What is Galentine's Day?

Galentine’s Day was created by the fictional character, Leslie Knope from the award winning American sitcom, Parks and Recreation in 2010. The second season of Parks and Rec included an episode called “Galentine’s Day,” where Leslie gathers a group of her closest female friends for a brunch.

She says, “Every February 13, 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.” Although Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday, it’s becoming a popular day for friends to celebrate.

How to choose the best gift?

Like valentines day. Picking the perfect gift is specific to your recipient. Try and think of things that they like and enjoy. Gifts do not need to be lavish, rather a token of your appreciation.

If you want to give something back to your besties, look no further than our list of the best gifts to brighten up their day. We've curated a guide that's full of personalised, sentimental and thoughtful options that your friends will love.

Best Valentines activity

LEGO - Galentines giftsLEGO

You can't go wrong with flowers and this LEGO Bouquet takes them to the next level. With 756 pieces in total, it features buildable 'roses’, ‘daisies’ and ‘asters’, as well as adjustable stems. How cute!

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "The Lego Flower Bouquet would make a wonderful gift for a friend or family member. It is easy to build and very relaxing too. The colours of the bricks compliment each other nicely and I love that they have adjustable stems."

Pros

  • Elements made from sustainable material
  • Stems and petals can be repositioned

Cons

  • Easy to build, so not ideal for those wanting a challenge

Best for Valentine's makeup

Lottie London - Galentine's Day gifts
Price: £24.95 (was £29.80)

lottie.london

Perfect for a Valentine's-themed look, this collection features a colour-changing Blush-Bestie, illuminating Frosted Heart shaped highlighter, a duel ended Twisted Heart Love Glaze lip tint and lip gloss and Lots of Love nail stickers, with over 200 stickers.

Reviewed by Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer: "This Lottie London bundle is super cute and the packaging is aesthetically pleasing - I love the pink colour-scheme! The products work well, plus they are cruelty-free and vegan, which is the cherry on the cake."

Pros

  • Vegan formula
  • Compact design, so easy to store

Cons

  • May need to re-apply throughout the day

The best non-alcoholic cocktail for a Galetine's Day gift

Best gift for your sober or pregnant friend

This pre-mixed non-alcoholic cocktails are the perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day date night. The zesty Margarita is great for those continuing on dry January. All the joys of a Margarita with none of the hangover.

Review: "This is such a refreshing drink. Beautiful with tonic. So nice to have something different but without the calories or hangover."

Pros

  • Less calories and no hangover
  • Great for special events

Cons

  • Not a traditional Margarita

The best hair care product for a Galentine's Day gift

Best haircare gift

For the friend that loves self care, Olaplex hair products have been praised by professionals for their restorative properties that leave your hair feeling strong and replenished. This is perfect for new mums who are missing the hairdressers.

Review: "Excellent value for money! Leaves my hair silky soft with mirror like shine! Amazing!"

Pros

  • Salon quality products
  • The Olaplex Ultimate Collection provides a comprehensive haircare routine 

Cons

  • Bonding Oil is only 30ml

The best bouquet for a Galentine's Day gift

A beautiful bunch of flowers is an easy way to say 'I love you' and these pretty tulips will certainly bring a smile to anyone's face. And, with Spring just around the corner, these flowers are bound to stand out.

Review: "Delighted with the service. Next day delivery, reasonable price, maximum impact! Recipient loved her birthday gift, I would definitely use again."

Pros

  • Fresh flowers
  • Reliant on a delivery service

Cons

  • May not be ideal for those that are allergic to tulips

The best Galentine's Day gift for humour

Best plushie

No truer words have ever been spoken. We love this super cute plushie. It can be delivered with a card directly to your Galentine and why not add a personalised Moonpig card.

Mother&Baby writer, Hannah James said: " I cannot get over how cute this plush is. It is the perfect novelty gift for someone going through boy troubles. It is soft with a hard base so it looks really cute on both a shelf or a bed. This would be the perfect gift for someone going through their first break-up."

Pros

  • Perfect for any age
  • Adorable plush keyring features Tatty Teddy holding a pink heart

Cons

  • Not many colours to choose from

Best for luxury chocolates

Luxury chocolates are the perfect treat for your gal pals... After all, who would say no to chocolate, particularly when it's from CassPea - they're so beautiful! This box comes as a pack of 9, with the option to pick and mix or go for a pre-built box.

Reviewed by Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer: "These CassPea chocolates not only taste great but look amazing too. They are neatly presented in a gorgeous box and their flavours are pretty unique."

Pros

  • Hand made and decorated
  • Magnetic, reusable box

Cons

  • Some of the colourings may transfer onto hands, clothes etc.

We Don't Need Anyone To Buy Us Flowers Card

The best personalised Gelantine's Day gift

Could this card be anymore on trend? We are obsessed with Miley Cyrus' song flowers. It is the perfect Galenite's Day anthem.

Pros

  • Can be personalised
  • Great for humour

Cons

  • Can only select one colour (pink)

The best coffee mug for a Galentine's Day gift

This is a perfect Galentine’s Day gift for that special someone who is really your best-tea! Made with high quality ceramic, you won’t have to worry about its durability as this smash proof mug is great for hot and cold drinks. 

Review: They looked so great and were regular size and not small like the picture. I liked them so much that I ordered another set."

Pros

  • High quality ceramic mug
  • Packaged in a smash proof mug box 

Cons

  • Returns & exchanges not accepted

The best flavoured cookie for a Galentine's gift

This letterbox and scrumptious cookie will have your friend giggling when they open the box. With the words “NOT SICK OF YOU YET”, this sweet treat will definitely make their Instagram stories.

Pros

  • Humorous gift
  • Vanilla flavour

Cons

  • Not vegan

The best Galentine's Day gift for photography

Make memories together with this funky and stunning personalised wooden frame, perfect for your 'favourite human!'. You will also get to put an extra personalised message on the frame available and choice of size, making it an amazing treat phot gift for your sister, bestie, cousin or even a loved one. 

Review: "Bought for a Christmas present from our dog to his favourite human. Lovely quality."

Pros

  • Quirky and beautiful 
  • Extra personalised message on the frame available and choice of size

Cons

  • Frame orientation available is portrait or landscape

The best Gelantine's Day gift for relaxation

Ideal for relaxation and especially a long day, where all you want to do is chill. This bath will leave your skin feeling super moisturizing, soft and supple. Scented with pink candy, bubble-gum, baby powder and pear drops Bath Bomb, you will love it. 

Review: "I brought this as present for a friend she was absolutely thrilled with them. I liked them so much I wished I had a bath instead of just a shower."

Pros

  • A selection of four round jumbo bath bombs, each with it's own fragrance
  • Leaving you with a fragrant filled bath,

Cons

  • Not for you if you don't like a scented bath

The best make up bag Galentine's Day gift

You’ve probably got that friend that you love so much, but doesn’t have a make-up bag (yet!). This is a pretty gift that can be personalised with a friend’s name or word of your choice, getting you brunch ready.

Review: "We gifted it to a friend, the look was priceless, and she was so happy. Well worth it, quick to arrive so we could gift it in time - super classy."

Pros

  • Handprinted canvas bag
  • Features a bold typography with a handdrawn love heart

Cons

  • Can only choose form grey or pink with white and pink for the text

The best jewellery for a Galentine's Day gift

Add some love into your chic and elegant friendship this Galentine, with these attractive earrings from Jon Richard's Radiance collection. The lush looking embroidered jewellery, with crystals will give you that glossy finish, with its double heart dangling design.

Review: "These lovely earrings were even more beautiful than expected - I have been giving my daughter a pair of heart shaped earrings for her birthday for the past 20 years and these are one of the prettiest yet."

Pros

  • Rose Gold Plated
  • Hearts & Love

Cons

  • Can not be personalised

Lorna White has been a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby since 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and maternity fashion.

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