There's Valentine's Day... then there's Galentine's Day. One you're probably used to celebrating ever since you were a kid, but the other didn't even exist until 2010, and even then, it still doesn't "officially" exist.

If you've never heard or it or at least don't know its origin, Galentine's Day is the creation of a character from the NBC sitcom, Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, declares in a second-season episode, “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.”

In other words, combine "gal" with "valentine" and boom, you've got Galentine's Day.

Though technically it's supposed to be celebrated on February 13, at least suggested by Leslie Knope - the day before and in addition to Valentine's Day - some ladies prefer to celebrate their Galentines instead of Valentine's Day altogether, which is totally acceptable. Consider it the modern day replacement for "Singles Awareness Day," which sounds kind of lonely and sad, quite frankly.

This year whether you celebrate on the 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th, Galentine's Day doesn't have to be romantic, but neither does Valentine's Day for that matter. It should simply be all about celebrating those you love, in every way, shape and form.

Here's a list of some things you can do for Galentine's Day - or even Valentine's Day - in and around Northern Colorado.

 

Loveland Valentine's 2022 - Loveland Lights - Feb 1-14
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Loveland Sweetheart Festival - February 11 and 12 - Downtown Loveland

The Loveland Sweetheart Festival has something for everyone and people of all ages. If you love beer or chocolate - or both - plus food, games and even live entertainment, gather up a few gal-pals and head to Foundry Plaza in downtown Loveland for some fun.

 

Unsplash, Social Cut
Unsplash, Social Cut
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Attend a Floral Design Workshop - Sunday February 13 - Fort Collins Creative Co

In fact, there's one on the event calendar for NoCo. The event details promise a fun workshop put on by Lilac and Sage, where you learn to create an awesome floral arrangement. You get to take the flowers home when you're done, but even better, you'll learn how to make some pretty rad floral arrangements on your own in the future.

 

Unsplash, Brett Jordan
Unsplash, Brett Jordan
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Wine and Chocolate Night with your Galentines - Any Date - Anywhere!

You love wine and your friends love wine. You love chocolate and your friends love chocolate. Isn't Galentine's Day the perfect opportunity to call everyone over and sample a little bit of both? Every friend brings a bottlle of wine, every friend brings some kind of chocolate treat. Mix and match amongst the group and bam, the perfect Galentine's Day with your friends.

 

Unsplash, Jeshoots.com
Unsplash, Jeshoots.com
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Settle in with some gal-pals for a Rom-Com marathon and eat whatever you want!

To be fair, you could do this any time of year. But you can justify the "eating whatever you want" bit by rolling it into a Galentine's celebration. Pick out your favorite romantic comedies - The Notebook and The Holiday might be a bit cliché, but have at it - and binge some "will they or won't they" movies with friends of your choice.

 

Roxiller
Roxiller
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Organize a Leslie Knope style brunch - any day - wherever you want!

There is no shortage of awesome restaurants to choose from all around Northern Colorado when it comes to brunching with some friends. Just to clarify, as if you don't already know, that's a combo of breakfast and lunch. What's really important is that it includes Mimosas or Bloody Marys with a tasty selection.

By the way: The Best Breakfast in NoCo - Here's Where to Find It, According To You

 

Unsplash, Sebastian Coman
Unsplash, Sebastian Coman
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Host a proper British-like tea party - which can be more fun and tastier than you think!

I know when you think of a "tea party" you think of sitting around in some uncomfortable chairs drinking boring old tea. But no! Legit British tea parties are full of amazing little finger foods and lots of tasty drinks. Tea, yes. But also champagne or Prosecco. And little sandwiches, desserts and scones with jam and clotted cream. Delicious.

 

Unsplash, Engin Akyurt
Unsplash, Engin Akyurt
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Organize a spa day for you and all your friends - any day - any spa of your choice!

Massages, manicures, pedicures, facials... all of the above and more of your favorite spa treatments are always better with friends. What better time to organize an outing with your besties and hit up a local spa for some relaxation and pampering than Galentine's Day?

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