5 Ideas For The Best Galentine's Day Ever

The best Valentine's date I've ever had?

My bestie, Lauren. Two years ago, we were in Edinburgh, Scotland. We ditched a ghost tour right as it was about to reach next-level scary (Caroline does not do scary, no sir) and made a quick escape for dinner. We did the whole shebang: candles, champagne, shared dessert. Kept up with every other couple in the delightful little restaurant!

Since then, I've held a soft spot for a good Galentine's Day celebration, a la Leslie Knope. I mean, I always did say that if I'm still single at age 60, a domestic partnership with any one of my best girlfriends doesn't sound half bad. We could play board games all day long, travel the seven seas, adopt a few cats, maybe a 17 year old too so that we can put 'em through college. Yes, the cats too. I'd do it in a heartbeat.

But in the time being, I'll settle for a festive Galentine's Day. A few ideas if you're in, too: 

Make reservations for a fancy-pants dinner out,

and make up stories for every couple you see. Bonus points if you somehow incorporate a drinking game. Buy tickets to a comedy club or improv show afterwards and laugh until you pee your pants. In other words, emulate a classic date night with your soul sista! The best part? You can wear statement heels or a jumpsuit or dark red lips and expect the sorts of compliments that a guy would never know how to give. 

Or, better yet... make brunch at home!

My crew's partial to popping some cinnamon rolls into the oven as we they scramble some eggs and fry some bacon. Offer bottomless mimosas, and then go on a long walk for coffee and girl talk. 

Might I also suggest heart-shaped egg-in-a-holes? 

Carb-load, build a blanket fort, and watch Jane Austen movies. OR

Carb-load, build a blanket fort, and watch Harry Potter movies. OR

Carb-load, build a blanket fort, and play board / card games. OR 

Carb-load, build a blanket fort, and play wine roulette. OR

Combine all of the above.

Clearly state this rule: whoever falls asleep first will get their face doodled on with eyeliner and lipstick. And have their makeover Instagrammed. 

Go to Target and...

A) Put together a care package for a mutual friend who lives far away.

B) Set a price limit and then let everyone loose – the money goes towards food, drinks, and activities for the evening. Think as outside of the box as possible. Chocolate milk + frozen pizza + a horror movie? Boxed wine + queso + arts and crafts? Anything goes!

C) All of the above. Recently, my friends and I sent a care package... but we had such a hoot picking out treats that we wanted her there with us even more. Solution: we added more pizzazz to the package by throwing in lots of commentary: post-it notes with quips from the shopping trip, explanations of why we picked what we did, Hershey's hugs to represent our own, one bag of popcorn while we kept the rest to show we wished she were with us... and also we got a bit hungry. Include your friend in your own evening!

D) Don't go judging my cart. I can see you.

Pack a picnic solely with goodies from Trader Joe's, bring a book or a journal, and board games too. Head to the beach if you're close to one, or your apartment rooftop, or a grassy park, or heck, even your living room if it's too cold out.

I realize if you're not in California or Florida, this might not sound so appealing for February. That's when I say: well, come crash on my couch. Or straight up just move here, girl!

This is what I say to my sister when she tells me the weather's being miserable. You live in Seattle, what do you expect. Grab your stuff, your car, your cats, and meet me at my picnic in the sunny park.

Plan a getaway.

It's a long weekend, my friends. Perfect excuse for a girls' getaway. Don't go anywhere that'll take more than three hours to get to. Make it a staycation if you must. Then, go wine-tasting or shopping or brunching at your leisure.

As for me? I'm dragging my friend Leah with me to visit my sister in Seattle. Well.... except she's off on a weekend getaway of her own, so it'll be Leah and me, the cats, most likely a lot of candy, and the rain. Stay tuned for the Snapchats, they'll be riveting, I'm sure.

But first, the Super Bowl (of chips and dip of all varieties), and Chinese New Year! Hope you use these as excuses for takeout lomein and and nachos all weekend!