We have finally made it out of January, and now it is time to start planning for the most important February holiday – Galentines!
Galentines Day officially falls on the 13th of February as a platonic alternative to the loved-up Valentine’s Day.
While we can celebrate our female friendships at any time of the year, there’s something nice about taking time out of everyone’s busy schedules to dedicate an entire day just for the girls.
Why not host a movie night, make a cheeseboard, or write your closest friends some love letters?
To help you decide how to make the most of this Galentines Day, here are some unique ways to spend quality time with your mates.
Make your own rings
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Silver Works on Drury Street hosts workshops on how to forge your very own silver ring. The experience is a lot of fun, with tea, coffee and chocolate provided.
It is the perfect activity to do with your besties, and at the end of it you will each have rings to remind you of the day. You could even swap them amongst yourselves, like a grown-up version of friendship bracelets! If you want to give goldsmithing a go, you can book a slot on the Silver Works website.
Get Crafty
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Arts and crafts are a great way to chill out and catch up with your friends.
There are several ‘Paint and Sip’ nights across the country that allow you to flex your creative muscles. Paint and Prosecco is one company that organises these events, and for February they have nights in Galway, Dublin and Wicklow.
You can look at their website to check locations near you and book slots for you and your friends.
For a non-alcoholic option, places like This Must Be the Place Dublin host a range of arts and crafts events for adults, like Clay and Coffee, and workshops to paint your own mugs and tote bags. Pick a time that suits your group on the website.
Bottomless Brunch
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If getting a little tipsy in the daytime with your best friends in the world sounds like a dream to you, Botanical has got you covered.
The restaurant in the Dublin One Hotel is hosting a Galentines-themed bottomless brunch on the 17th of February. You can get tickets here.
The week before that, on the 10th of February, Asian Fusion restaurant Opium is throwing its own spin on a Galentines brunch. ‘Manifest and Brunch’ will involve an authentic Asian brunch and cocktails followed by a manifestation and vision board-making workshop.
You and your gal pals can prepare for an abundant 2024, and maybe a girl’s trip will make it on the vision board! Grab Tickets here.
Karaoke Night
We all have that one friend with a go-to karaoke song they are ready to belt out at any moment, so why not put them to the test this Galentines ?!
While there is no stopping you from doing this in the comfort of your sitting room, going to an actual karaoke bar is always a bit of a laugh.
There are plenty of Karaoke nights across the country where you can get up on stage to delight the crowd!
If you’re not 100% confident in your singing abilities, the Mardyke Hotel in Cork City has a number of karaoke rooms, each with its own fun theme, that you can book for you and your mates to sing your hearts out, undisturbed.
Enjoy the Outdoors
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Maybe you and your friends are adventure seekers and prefer something a little more adrenaline-inducing, or maybe you just think it would be funny to see your bestie brave the elements! Either way, it’s always good to get our bodies moving, so why not have a little fun with it?
Horse riding is an activity a lot of us haven’t thought about since we were kids. There are stables all across the country that allow for group horse riding treks, or even just an introductory ride for beginners. Discover Ireland has a list of the best horse riding stables on their website.
Another activity that’s not just for kids, Zip It Forest Adventures is a zip lining company that has locations in Dublin, Roscommon and Cork. As long as none of your friends have a fear of heights, it’s sure to be a great day out! Have a look at their website for more details.
Happy Galentines to all who celebrate! And remember, it’s not really about how you spend it, but who you spend it with.
Words by Sorcha Lynch