Valentine’s Day can be nauseating at best and downright depressing at worst when you’re single. So Galentine’s is a great excuse to celebrate your female friendships. Whether it’s rounding up your mates for a good brunch or just sending someone special a little something to brighten up their day, here’s my Galentine’s Day edit of things to do to celebrate and card and gift ideas from Derbyshire small businesses.
What is Galentine’s?
The origins of Galentine’s are often attributed to having come from the cult comedy Parks and Recreation (one of my all-time favourite comedies, it’s on Netflix until the end of January or Sky Comedy or Amazon Prime). In the show, the main character, Lesley Knope (created and played by Amy Poehler) creates Galentine’s to celebrate female friendship. Each year, on February 13th, Knope gathers female friends and family for a ladies brunch to celebrate Galentine’s.
I think the word has gradually evolved to just a celebration of any non-romantic love.
Or maybe it’s morphed into yet more over-hyped, over marketed nonsense…? Personally I think anything that makes being single a little less lonely and anything that celebrates women supporting other women is ultimately a good thing, so we’ll roll with it.
Read my round up of the loveliest social groups in Derbyshire
How to Celebrate Galentine’s in Derbyshire
I think the main thing is just to check in with any single friends and gently offer a little bit of moral support in what can be the onslaught of Valentine’s Day-ness. Feeling lonely can be miserable and we all need to feel loved.
However, if you’re looking for an actual ‘thing to do’…
Brunch is the classic Galentine’s celebration. And let’s face it, you might as well make it bottomless! Read my previous guide to the best bottomless brunches in Derbyshire here.
If cake is more your thing, for a fun twist on an afternoon tea, instead of going the whole hog, how about a few drinks and ‘The George Gourmand’ a selection of miniature desserts and glass of fizz for just £12.50 at The George Hathersage. Or go for their full afternoon tea with prices starting at £15.95 (this needs booking 24 hours in advance).
Or maybe celebrate at one of Derbyshire’s finest independent cocktail bars – I particularly love Bradman’s.
Galentine’s Day Cards
Set up by Sasha when she quit law, Cheeky Zebra sells fun, cheeky cards online. The Derby based, family business have a huge range of humorous cards including several Galentine’s and Palentine’s options. I love the Alexis Rose ones from Schitt’s Creek (another fabulous sit com that you simply must watch if you haven’t already) but there are loads of options on their website (delivery is free and if you wait for the pop-up box you can save 10% by signing up to their mailing list!).
Galentine’s Gift Ideas from Derbyshire Small Businesses
These gorgeous, handmade leather coin purses make perfect gifts for a friend. Designed and made in a Derbyshire village by family run, Orgill Originals.
Satisfyingly Solo is ran by two strong, independent solo women. Both currently work full time but needed an escape from work during lockdown, so set up their little Derbyshire business based around their love of home fragrance, photography, nature and advocating for women in business. They make luxury botanical hand poured wax melts, which start at just £4.
Lost in Love by Lucy is a Derby based design company. They sell a lovely range of keyrings, stickers and self-care packages that would make gorgeous Galentine’s gift, particularly for a friend who needs a boost. Designer Lucy is inspired by everything from travelling to leopard print, with a lot of positive quotes and self motivation along the way.
Family Doodle Doo hand paint wooden pegs, which can personalised right down to wearing leopard print! Typical turn around time is 3 weeks so order soon.
Letterbox Love are an affordable jewellery gifting business based in Derbyshire. They are actually launching a Galentines bracelet TODAY, so keep an eye on their website and socials… but in the meantime they have a wide range of friendship bracelets and gifts. The cute ‘fabulous friend’ star bracelet pictured above is £15.99 but friendship bracelets start at just £8. They’re beautifully packaged and can be sent directly to the recipent. You can even create your own to combine the perfect combination of jewellery and poem card.
Sweets make a great inexpensive gift – and who doesn’t like sweets? If you’re in the Chesterfield area, Simply Sweets make beautifully packaged gifts with local delivery or can be posted nationwide.
Finally, for something completely different, I love this ‘sweary pebble set’ from Derbyshire based, A Pebble and a Paint Box. If the language is a bit much, there’s plenty of sweet/cute options instead.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this round up of ideas of things to do to celebrate Galentine’s.
Looking to meet someone? Read my guide on How to Make Friends in Derbyshire.
