Galentine's Day: Sixty-something Edition

Report after report tells us that women living in the third-third of life are joyfully embracing the single life. Recent data from Pew Research Center states that 49% of women over 60 are single, and predictions are that this number will continue to rise. Whether due to a loss of partner or a life choice to go it alone, women over 60 are turning away from cultural programming that tells us we “need” to be in a romantic relationship in order to live a happy and fulfilled life.

Still, it can take some extra mind-management to avoid feeling left out when big events and celebrations, like Valentine’s Day, come along.

Celebrating Female Friendship

That’s why Galentine’s Day has become an exciting option for women of a certain age who want to feel the love, without having to opt into a romantic partnership.

When the character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) on the Emmy-winning TV show Parks and Recreation, introduced the concept of Galentine’s Day, she unknowingly created a new “Hallmark Holiday” celebrating female friendship and generating a boon for restaurants and wine bars around the world. The popularity of Galentine’s Day has been fast-tracked by our young adult daughters who fully embrace the opportunity to pick a date prior to Valentine’s Day, grab a gaggle of girlfriends and celebrate the enormous delight of female friendship.

So, being the smart, strong, vibrant women that we are, let’s take a page from our beautiful daughters and lean into love with some fun options for jumping on the Galentine’s bandwagon.

Fun Ways for 60-Something Women to Celebrate Galentine’s Day

Dinner and Drinks

Let’s start with what’s easy and classic. Make a reservation at a fancy restaurant, invite your favorite females and enjoy delicious food and conversation. Make it extra special by recommending a dress code (Pink and Posh, Babes in Berets, etc.) or inviting every woman to bring an inexpensive gift or treat to be exchanged. Why save the White Elephant for Christmas?

Acts of Service

Grab your favorite gals and honor your friendship by giving back. Support your local chapter of the American Heart Association in one of the many “Heart Month” events, ranging from fun runs to fancy luncheons. Load up your car with girlfriends and help with a clean-up day at a local park. Host a “purse party” where guest bring gently used handbags that can be donated to an organization like “Dress for Success” that supports women-in-need seeking employment. Recently, I learned about a group of women who meet quarterly at a restaurant where they “bless” their server with a huge tip. Each woman agrees to bring a designated cash amount that represents something above the usual 20% tip. When settling the bill, they all chip in the extra cash and present their server with something special to make their day.

Far and Wide Friends

Thanks to second homes, relocating to join children and grandchildren and the freedom to travel in our later years, many of our friend groups are now scattered far and wide. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Galentine’s Day with our female tribe. Arrange a video call with your girl group, send everyone a recipe for a fun cocktail to share during the meetup and use the opportunity to plan your next girls getaway. Prepare ahead of time with suggested timelines, locations and ideas for an awesome adventure that will celebrate your years of friendship.

Make-it at Home

There’s no need to splurge on pricey restaurants (unless you want to) when a fun girls night at home is a fantastic, low-stress option. Plan a potluck or invite friends to bring their favorite charcuterie selections or host a competitive game night where everyone brings a new friend to the event. If you’re into crafting, schedule an afternoon of vision-boarding for this exciting chapter of life, knit scarves to be donated to a homeless shelter or decorate cookies and cupcakes to take home. The activity is less important than the time together.  

Splurge on Something you Love

Why not join your besties for an indulgent spa day complete with scrubs, tubs, facials, nails and massages? Or if sports are more your style, book front-row tickets for you and your gal pals for a fan-tastic evening cheering on your favorite team.

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HELL YEAH!:

Here are a few more ideas for honoring female friendships:

Send a card or handwritten note to women who have had a positive impact on you. Or even easier, make a call, send a text or share a funny meme to bring a smile to their day.

Head to your local thrift or used bookstore, grab a stack of romance novels, wrap them up in cute paper and deliver them with a cheeky note to your best girlfriends.

Schedule a fun photo shoot for you and your friends and gift everyone with a framed photo and a beautiful memory.

Buy yourself flowers because you are your best girlfriend!

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LET’S TALK ABOUT IT:

How are you planning to celebrate Galentine’s Day this year?

What are your favorite memories of spending time with you besties?

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