By the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, it’s easy to feel gifted-out. However, with the majority of one’s circle of friends heading home for the holidays – it’s hard to find time to celebrate the wonderful women in your life who aren’t blood relatives and shower them with the presents and delights they deserve.
Enter: Galentine’s Day. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, the importance of celebrating Galentine’s as a woman cannot be understated. The origins of this wondrous day, usually celebrated on February 13th, lie in the iconic American sitcom Parks and Recreation.
On one fateful day back in 2010 aired season two, episode 16 of Parks and Rec aired – aptly named ‘Galentine’s Day’. The episode follows protagonist Leslie Knope and her gal pals celebrating the holiday over mimosas, waffles, and pancakes. “Every February 13th my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies,” explains our favourite fictional character.
Leslie Knope, we are forever indebted to you for the creation of our favourite day of the year. We just don’t know how it didn’t come about sooner. Here’s to many, many more decades of Galentine’s celebrations.
We’ve rounded up a selection of gifts to shower your besties with this Valentine’s Eve. Keep scrolling for more girly goodness.
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Kodak M35 Pink 35mm Reusable Camera
For the pal that’s always snapping pics on their phone, we highly recommend gifting them a reusable 35mm camera. Featured here in an adorable blush pink colour, this will no-doubt be glued to the wrist of your BFF on this Galentine’s Day, and every single one thereafter. You might also want to snag them a roll of film for £15 to include in your gift.
Buy now £28.00, Urban Outfitters
At home: Pancake Making Kit
If you and your pals want truly want to channel the power of Miss Leslie Knope and “kick it breakfast style,” why not scoop up an at-home pancake making kit? This one makes 20 pancakes and includes a range of high-end ingredients to make your pancakes as fluffy and delightful as possible. You can order a Standard kit which includes bacon as a side, or a Vegetarian option, which subs in halloumi alongside the classic blueberries and bananas. Delish.
Buy now £45.00, The Indytute
Le Labo Verveine 32 Classic Candle
With 60 hours of burning time and notes of verbena leaf, kafifr lime, eucalyptus, galbanum and violet leaves, you’ll be top of any friend list with this earthy dream candle from Le Labo. It’s made from 100 per cent soy wax with a pute cotton wick, is GMO-free, vegan and cruelty-free. Practically the definition of a cosy night in, it’s the perfect candle to set the mood for an evening of self-care.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
Batch & Bottle Monkey Shoulder Lazy Old Fashioned
We’re absolutely obsessed with this lazy, but premium, pre-mixed Old Fashioned by William Grant and Sons. This carefully crafted drink is composed of Monkey Shoulder Scotch whisky, sugars and bitters and is bottled at 35 per cent ABV. If you love a whisky cocktail but prefer it on the sweeter side, this one’s for you. Pour it over a large block of ice in a cooled, short tumbler for the ultimate at-home cocktail experience. Add an orange twist or a sprig of rosemary if you’re feeling particularly fancy.
Buy now £26.00, The Whiskey Shop
Pink Fluffy Mini Boo Pillow
A perfect gift for any homebody in an aptly festive baby pink hue, this fluffy and cosy wonder is the only cuddle companion anyone could ever need. Stuffed to the brim to provide back support and covered in an ultra-soft fleece fabric, this dream pillow also boasts a grab handle and a little side pocket for your phone for those late-night TikTok marathons.
Buy now £31.00, Urban Outfitters
Vaisselle Floral Oil Bottle
We’ve all got a pal who’s utterly obsessed with kitchenware and cooking. Treat the chef in your life to a simple but utterly adorable ceramic oil pourer, which will no doubt take prize position next to their stovetop. This collab between Vaisselle and Anthropologie has resulted in a simply and stunning 100 per cent hand-painted ceramic pourer with a natural cork and stainless steel tap. It’s a whimsical, playful addition to any kitchenware collection.
Buy now £66.00, Anthropologie
Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur with Tequila Blanco
If, like us, you and your friends were utterly heartbroken to hear of the news that Café Patron was discontinued – boy have we got the gift for you. Cazcabel Coffee blends a luxuriously roasted sweet shot of coffee with Blanco Tequila to create a smooth, chocolatey liqueur which is perfect for shots and cocktails. It also contains further notes of vanilla and agave – all the good, sweet stuff.
Buy now £17.00, Sainsbury's
HAY Twist Candles Set of Six
Yet another option for the hostesses with the mostesses, these twisty candles by Danish homeware brand Hay are a stunning pop of colour and fun for any table-scaping maestro. Handmade in Italy, these candles are featured here in an adorable colour palette that moves from pink to teal and aqua.
Buy now £18.00, End. Clothing
Roop | Maddy Bow | Red Taffeta
Show your bestie that she’s the real gift this Galentine’s with a gorgeous oversized taffeta bow from Roop. All Maddy scrunchies are made using remnant, dead stock and vintage fabrics to ensure they remain as green as possible – making each and every bow one of a kind.
Buy now £25.00, The Norah Store
Axel Arigato Signature Cap
This one’s for the sporty spice in your life. The pal who always looks like a model-off-duty in running shorts, trainers, a blazer and – of course – a trusty baseball cap. Why not add another to their collection with this expertly-crafted signature cap in ecru by Axel Arigato. You’ll struggle to separate friend from accessory with this one, we guarantee it.
Buy now £55.00, Axel Arigato
Midnights: Moonstone Blue Edition
Swifties rise! We couldn’t complete a Galentine’s gift round-up without featuring the beautiful, moonstone blue edition of Taylor Swift’s latest album, Midnights. This is a gift for sharing. Turn up the speaker on your turntable to full and scream about sleepless nights and lovers lost with your best friends. It’s what Miss Swift would want.
Buy now £34.99, HMV
Set of 2 Swirl Coupe Glasses
These super cute and quirky cocktail glasses will make fabulous addition to all your girl’s nights in. Mix up your favourite drink with your girlfriend, grab your favourite snacks, sit back, and relax. They’re also available in green and blue options, if you’d like to add even more colour to your glassware collection. We’ll drink to that.
Buy now £38.00, Anthropologie
Lego Flower Bouquet
However unlikely it seems; Lego is having a major moment in the design world right now. For that friend of yours who’s always on the pulse with trends, gift them the majorly coveted Lego flower bouquet set. They can crack it open on a Sunday evening, pour up a glass of wine and get to work on a forever bouquet with adjustable stems that truly goes the distance. No more mouldy blooms and dank vases.
Buy now £54.99, Lego
Terracotta, Pink Clay & Turmeric Table Bundle
When it comes to creating a soothing ambiance, Bed Threads has an incredibly handy bundle-builder for both bed and table linens. Mix and match to find your perfect colour palette to liven your space and gear up for some spring sunshine. We, however, are particularly enamoured by the table bundle Bed Threads has already put together – featuring terracotta, pink clay and turmeric tones alongside scalloped table mats and napkins. You’ll also automatically get 10 per cent off your order when you purchase a bundle deal. Winner.
Buy now £184.50, Bed Threads
David Shrigley - if you don't like tomatoes poster
Spice up yours or your friend’s living space with this funky print – If You Don’t Like Tomatoes (2020) by Artist David Shrigley. Generously sized at 60 x 80 cm and printed on 200g Munken Lynx Paper, this super high-quality piece could be just the statement your girlfriend has been searching for. You know, as long as they like tomatoes.
Buy now £35.46, Shrig Shop
My Year of Rest and Relaxation (Paperback) by Ottessa Moshfegh
You might recognise this book as the must-have feminist accessory to every coffee shop dwelling bookworm. Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize in 2019, Ottessa Moshfegh’s second novel follows the downward spiral of a New York socialite during her year of self-imposed and narcotics-induced social exile. Despite being set in the early 2000s, this novel feels unbelievably current as we move out of our turbulent, post-lockdown lives with the same level of introspection and daily questioning of the structures that make us.
Buy now £9.99, Waterstones
Psychic Sisters Chakra Crystal Set
This one’s for all our witchy sisters out there. Psychic Sisters’ crystal set is made up of seven chakra crystals to represent and support each of your seven chakras. The crystals have been individually blessed with Moon magic and reiki energised, making them a wonderfully powerful and potent addition to your crystal collection.
Buy now £12.00, Holland & Barrett
Fresh Day & Night Perfecting Masks Gift Set
We can’t think of anyone who doesn’t enjoy receiving a good old face mask, let alone three. This trio of travel-sized masks by award-winning wellness brand Fresh includes a Rose Face Mask, Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, as well as a Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask. Ultra-hydrating, firming and soothing, you can’t go wrong with this gift for Galentine’s Day.
Buy now £66.00, Space NK
Diptyque Roses Candle 600g
Blending a medley of different roses, Diptyque’s extra-large candle comes in a hand-crafted, blush pink porcelain container – making it an immediate homeware showstopper before the wick has even been lit. Recreate the smell of a rose garden no matter the season and pay homage to the symbol of romance with some roses that’ll last far longer than a bouquet.
Buy now £154.00, Space NK
Pat McGrath Divine Blush + Glow Trio
Pat McGrath has, of course, done it again. Divine in name and nature, this trio features two shades of blush and one highlighter for all your daily glow needs. No more pinching your cheeks when no one’s looking for that perfect, natural-looking rouge – these vibrant blushes are long-lasting and perfectly rosy. Meanwhile, the subtly powerful highlighter ensures you’re sparkling 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Buy now £41.00, Pat McGrath
Wonderboom 3
This seemingly tiny speaker packs an almighty punch. A cult favourite for a reason, the Wonderboom by Ultimate Ears somehow gets better and better with every iteration. The Wonderboom 3 has an unbelievable 14-hour battery life, 360 base sound, and is also both dust and water resistant. It can even get submerged in water for 30 minutes and be tip-top after. It’s quite literally magic.
What’s more, if you’ve already got one, you can pair yours up with the bestie’s new boom for full two-channel stereo. Now that’s a party.
Buy now £89.99, John Lewis
Caves d'Esclans 'Whispering Angel' Rosé 2020/21, Provence
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard (or drunk a few bottles) of Caves D’Esclans’ Whispering Angel Rosé. Crafted and bottled in Provence, Whispering Angel is an ultra-dry, ultra-trendy rosé with delightful notes of apple, pink grapefruit, peach and cream, with a long, smooth finish.
Buy now £23.99, Majestic
