By Jess Novak
For those who don’t know, Galentine’s Day is a relatively new (and, well, kind of made-up) holiday that’s all about celebrating the women and friendships in your life. While Galentine’s Day technically falls on February 13, you can absolutely host a Galentine’s event the weekend before or on Valentine’s Day. After all, any day is a good day to make your Bumble BFFs and friends feel appreciated and loved! Here are some fun ideas to bring you and your girlfriends even closer together this Galentine’s.
Enjoy afternoon tea
Make your Galentine’s Day date girly and adorable by heading to a local tea parlor or teatime at a hotel. It will give you the opportunity to dress up and try something new with friends. If you want something more DIY, you can host your own tea party at home and have friends bring some of the treats.
Put together a storytelling night
Want to do some serious bonding? Try gathering your friends and challenging each other to tell stories they’ve never shared before.There’s nothing that can deepen your friendship like confiding secrets and experiences, whether they’re profound, embarrassing, or just plain silly.
Rent a hotel room
Get your crew to go in on a snazzy hotel room for the evening andgo all out: lounge around in super-fluffy robes, stay up late watching movies, order room service, and swim in the pool. If you’d rather opt for more space, consider a rental home, where you and your friends can enjoy a low-key time playing your favorite board games and cooking a great dinner together.
Go on a shopping spree
Is going on a shopping spree a cliché? Maybe. Is it super cathartic and fun? Definitely. Meet your friends at your favorite strip of boutiques or head to a classic mall like you’re teenagers in the 80s, and treat yourselves to at least one item you wouldn’t normally buy. Or, you can make it a game by challenging each other to find an item that best represents your friendship.
Host a movie marathon
Vote on what movies you’re going to watch ahead of time in the group chat, and you can keep things on-theme by choosing movies that feature best friends or that are all about friendship. Next, make your living room as comfy as possible (floor pillows can absolutely take the place of traditional seating if you’re low on couch space). Ask each of your friends to bring their favorite movie snack, too, so you can all share.
Order for each other
Are you and your besties long distance? You can still celebrate Galentine’s Day with them! Have dinner “together” by ordering each other’s meals and having them delivered (don’t tell them what it is beforehand) and then spend the night chatting on the phone or on a video call while you eat.
Go for an apps and desserts night
Whether or not you’re heading to a Valentine’s Day dinner the next night, you and your friends can still have your own dinner date. To switch things up, opt to share a bunch of appetizers and then jump straight to the dessert menu.
Have a gift exchange
Make your friends feel special and valued with a card and gift exchange. Write a card to each of your friends (and have them do the same), and exchange gifts that remind you of each other. If you want to keep costs down, you can set a budget and then do a secret santa-type exchange, or just stick to cards.
Take a jewelry making class
Even if you don’t make “BFF” bracelets, making jewelry together will leave you with something that will remind you of your friendship every time you wear it. You can head to a class and learn how to make something new, or pick up some beads and charms at a craft store and host a DIY workshop at home.
Do your “signature” hang
What kind of things do you and your friends generally do together? Is it going for walks? Watching reality TV? Getting brunch? Whatever it is, you can find a way to make that thing you generally do together even more special. For instance, if it’s grabbing a coffee, you can plan to meet at a fancy cafe to enjoy their specialty roasts, or if it’s seeing movies, you can go to a theater that serves meals during the film.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in public speaking and communication, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. I have a deep understanding of the principles and techniques involved in effective public speaking. Let's explore the different ideas and activities mentioned in the article and discuss how they relate to public speaking.
Afternoon Tea and Storytelling Night
The idea of enjoying afternoon tea or hosting a storytelling night with friends can be a great opportunity to practice public speaking skills. Public speaking involves delivering a message to an audience, and both of these activities provide a platform for sharing stories and experiences. By challenging each other to tell stories they've never shared before, you can enhance your storytelling abilities and improve your confidence in speaking in front of others.
Renting a Hotel Room and Going on a Shopping Spree
Renting a hotel room and going on a shopping spree may not directly relate to public speaking, but they can contribute to building strong relationships and boosting self-confidence. Public speaking often requires effective communication and connection with the audience. By spending quality time with friends and engaging in activities that make you feel good about yourself, you can enhance your overall communication skills and self-assurance, which can positively impact your public speaking abilities .
Movie Marathon and Ordering for Each Other
Hosting a movie marathon and ordering food for each other can be a fun way to practice impromptu speaking. Impromptu speaking involves delivering a speech or message without prior preparation. In this case, you can challenge each other to give a short introduction or review of the movie you're watching, allowing you to practice thinking on your feet and expressing your thoughts spontaneously .
Apps and Desserts Night and Gift Exchange
Sharing appetizers and desserts with friends and having a gift exchange can provide opportunities for practicing persuasive speaking and expressing gratitude. During the apps and desserts night, you can engage in conversations about your favorite dishes, persuading others to try them. Additionally, during the gift exchange, you can write cards to each other, expressing your appreciation and showcasing your ability to convey heartfelt messages.
Jewelry Making Class and Signature Hang
Taking a jewelry making class and engaging in activities that you and your friends enjoy can indirectly contribute to public speaking skills. Public speaking involves understanding your audience and tailoring your message to their interests and preferences. By participating in activities that reflect your shared interests, you can develop a deeper understanding of your friends' perspectives and enhance your ability to connect with different audiences.
Conclusion
Engaging in activities like afternoon tea, storytelling nights, renting a hotel room, going on a shopping spree, hosting a movie marathon, ordering for each other, having an apps and desserts night, participating in a gift exchange, taking a jewelry making class, and doing your "signature" hang can provide valuable opportunities to practice various aspects of public speaking, such as storytelling, impromptu speaking, persuasive speaking, and connecting with different audiences. These activities can help you build confidence, improve communication skills, and strengthen relationships, all of which are essential for effective public speaking.
