One of the best holidays of the year is here…you guessed it, Galentine’s Day! As Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec described it, “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. 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. It’s like Lillith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” This year has not made it easy to hang out with friends. Social distancing and winter don’t make a great duo for an outdoor hangout. Here are a few ideas for a girl’s night (or day) that you can do from your own homes. The nice thing is you don’t have to live close to do these activities, and they’re not just for Galentine’s Day.

1. Online Cooking Class – You and your girlfriends could all sign up for an online cooking class and make a delicious meal together. There are several cooking class sites to choose from, but after doing some research for my sister’s birthday present, I went with https://www.cozymeal.com/online-cooking-classes. They have brunch menus (if you want to make some frittatas like Leslie), dinners, and desserts. After the cooking class, you could enjoy the meal and some drinks on Zoom together.
2. Wine or Beer Tasting – I have not done one myself, but my friend recommended https://ingoodtaste.com/ for a virtual wine tasting. They send you a wine kit, and then a sommelier goes through each one with the group, telling you how to properly taste it, and what it pairs well with. Grab your favorite charcuterie board ingredients from the market, and I’d say you have the perfect night.
3. Game Night – Since the pandemic started, we have been having Zoom Game Nights with my family, who live all over the country. Big Zoom calls can sometimes be awkward (or maybe just I am). Having a game to play helps you avoid this problem. We use a platform called STEAM and like to play Jackbox games. Our favorite games are Quiplash, Fibbage, Drawful, and Trivia Murder Party. Whoever has the STEAM account shares their screen, and everyone can use their own device to play along from their homes, so it is super simple.
4. At Home Spa Day – Who doesn’t need some pampering right about now? Each friend could pick out their favorite spa item to share – I’m thinking facial treatments, nail polish, masks, etc. Grab a comfy robe, a glass of champagne, hop on Zoom, and you’re good to go!
5. Shopping Party – while I love online shopping, I do miss going shopping with friends and getting their opinions on things. Well, you can do it from the comfort of your own home. First decide on something you all want to shop for – clothing, jewelry, makeup, etc. Then, find a boutique that sells those types of items, and see if they can host a virtual party for you. You can all hop on Zoom, grab a glass of wine, chat and shop. If you’re interested in doing this with my clothing boutique, I could put together personalized outfits for you and your friends. If this is something you’re interested in, I’m happy to help make it happen. Just send me an email at emily@emilyofalexandria.com.

What are your plans for Galentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments.