Officially, Galentine's Day is February 13 , and you celebrate it by doing your favorite things with your favorite women. The idea is that you celebrate Galentine's on the thirteenth and Valentine's on the fourteenth, but there's no need to observe both if you're not so inclined. There's no reason not to just go with Galentine's this year, and forget Valentine's altogether if you want. And what better way to celebrate than by opting to take a Galentine's Day trip with your squad?
Kicked off by the inimitable character of Lesley Knope (Amy Poehler) on Parks and Recreation, Galentine's Day "should be a national holiday," according to Ms. Knope. The happy-go-lucky, ever-positive Knope was all about girl power, and though the TV show is off the air now, her legacy lives on, because Galentine's Day has totally become a thing. Instead of moping around hating on Valentine's Day, why not just pick one of these 15 squad trips and have the best G-Day of your life? As Knope once said, "Hoes before bros. Ovaries before brovaries. Uteruses before duderuses." With that, here are a handful of solid ideas for trips to blow last year's Valentine's Day out of the water, no matter what you did. Have fun!
1. Take A Heli Ride
You can charter helicopter rides in many areas, and this would definitely count as a G-Day activity not soon forgotten. This would have to be for a small girl squad, as most helicopters just carry three people plus the pilot, but there's no rule against chartering two helicopters at once if need be. Check out LivingSocial and Groupon for deals.
2. Rent A House In The Woods
Unplug for the weekend with a house far removed from civilization. Be sure it includes a bathtub — or, if you're feeling particularly splurge-y, find a house with a hot tub. With Airbnb, it's easy to find the perfect house. Bonus points for locales so far off the grid that there's no wifi — or cellular service.
3. Rent A House On The Beach
No one ever had a bad time at the beach all weekend, as far as I know. I mean, I'm sure it's possible, but with the temperatures hanging out at freezing in my area, this sounds blissful.
4. Do Something You've Always Wanted To Do
If you can't take a trip, this could be in your own city or town. Visit the natural history museum, take a long walk in a part of town that you don't know well, or descend upon your favorite bakery for a girls' day out.
5. Take A Trip ... To A Restaurant
Try setting off on a pilgrimage to a restaurant you've always wanted to try, but haven't yet because it's too expensive/far away/hard to get reservations for. If the latter is true, be sure to celebrate Galentine's on the February 13, as the February 14 is always super clogged with reservations.
6. Take A "Because" Trip
Go to a particular town because it has an amazing museum that you've always wanted to visit. Travel to a nearby city because your best friend lives there, and she can put you and your squad up for the weekend. In other words, go somewhere because you've always wanted to try or see something there — the rest of the details will fall into place on their own.
7. Two Words: Spa Day
This can be an actual trip to a spa that is not nearby — or it can just be a trip to a spa, all day, from morning to night. Book massages or facials or whatever pampering treatment you so desire at a spa that also offers saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs, and make a day of it. Also, depending on how large your squad is, you might be able to score a group discount.
8. Do Something Outdoorsy
Even if it's freezing out, you can still make a girl squad trip to the great outdoors. Round up your favorite pals (and dogs) and hightail it to the nearest woodsy area for a day of hiking. Pack sandwiches and trail mix for lunch, and return to your abodes with flushed cheeks and the smell of wind in your hair.
9. Do Something Spiritual
Find an hour-long (or day-long) meditation, and spend the afternoon on Galentine's sitting quietly. Or take a yoga workshop. Or do whatever spiritual activity calls to you. It'll get you out of your head and leave you feeling relaxed and whole.
10. Go Shopping
All day. If you're the type who is more "shop" than "drop" on shop-till-you-drop days, find other women of your ilk and hit the streets (or the mall) for a day of buy, buy, buy. Nothing like a little retail therapy on Galentine's, I suppose.
11. Go Skiing
What better way to celebrate by hitting the slopes for a day of skiing (or snowboarding)? If you live near a mountain, you're set; if not, make a long weekend of it by seeking out a mountain you've always wanted to try.
12. Learn Something New
Daylong workshops abound. You can can take a daylong or weekend-long workshop in belly dancing, woodwinds, clonality, knitting, aquaponics, urban agriculture, and on and on.
13. Do Something Active
Take a long run with your squad if you're so inclined, or sign up for a yoga workshop. Most gyms and fitness studios offer workshops on things like nutrition or endurance from time to time; see if there's one on February 13, and sign up.
14. Repair To The Cinema
A trip to the movie theater doesn't sound like much of a trip ... unless you make a day of it. Pack a lunch and take in a double — or triple — feature at your favorite theater with your gals.
15. Picnic!
Do an outdoor picnic if you live somewhere warm. If not, break out your best gingham blanket, spread it out on the floor of your living room (or at a friend's house) and ask your squad to bring picnic-y foods. Outside or in, a winter picnic will feel cozy and festive.
Want more of Bustle's Sex and Relationships coverage? Check out our new podcast, I Want It That Way, which delves into the difficult and downright dirty parts of a relationship, and find more on our Soundcloud page.
Images: Fotolia; WiffleGif (15)
