From Crush to Obsession - Why We're Loving Galentine's Day This Year.
Galentine’s Day comes but once a year, but with Contributing Editor Alex Hendrix’s creativity we can stretch this thing out for the entire month. Invented on NBC’s sitcom Parks & Recreation (what HASN’T Amy Poehler done for us, truly an icon), this holiday is an excuse to forget the romance and grab your girls for a day of fun. You don’t have to be single to enjoy this shameless friend fest- Galentine’s Day falls on February 13th so that you can have your cake and eat it again the next day with your romantic partner.
Alex and Aissa with their afternoon Galentine’s Day beverages
Alex and Aissa with their afternoon Galentine’s Day beverages
Alex and Aissa with their afternoon Galentine’s Day beverages
I love my husband, he is a wonderful man and our interests almost perfectly align. Almost. But my husband doesn’t understand the suspension of reality we must go through to enjoy Rom-Com tropes. My husband doesn’t walk into a room with 1,000 plants and release a dreamy sigh of contentment. My husband doesn’t care how Instagrammable our breakfast is, he just wants to eat it. I’ve never understood how Hallmark handed us a beautiful, pink, sparkly holiday whose entire objective is maximum cuteness, and then told us we had to spend it with men who can’t tell the difference between rose and blush. I’m sorry, it just feels like a waste.
Enter: Galentine’s Day.
My friends understand coordinated outfits and preferred lighting and the joys of champagne for breakfast. My friends will cry at Hugh Grant and not feel even a little silly about it. My friends will ooh and ahh over table settings and creme brulee and will sit on a freezing patio in February just because it’s more aesthetically pleasing. My friends get this holiday.
Is Galentine’s Day just for the ladies? No, let’s put this to rest right now. Galentine’s Day is for anyone who gets enjoyment out of the things that Galentine’s Day is all about. If you are my friend and you are extra, you can hang on Galentine’s Day. The only rule of Galentine’s Day is that you absolutely talk about Galentine’s Day (tag me, thanks).
Galentine’s Day in 2021
In normal years I would insist on some version of a mimosa bar, but in 2021 we’ll have to get a little extra creative for our own safety. Some friends haven’t seen each other for almost 12 entire months at this point, and that is heartbreaking. Use this holiday to catch up on lost time! Here are some celebration ideas for near, far, wherever you are.
Galentine’s Day From Afar:
Have a Bridgerton moment and write actual letters to each other.
Coordinate a simultaneous wine + movie night where you both turn on a rom-com at the same moment and live-text through it.
Go online shopping and Facetime your try-on session.
Host a virtual brunch with donuts, mimosas, and lots of gossip.
Galentine’s Day in Huntsville:
If you have a local quarantine bubble of friends, here are our favorite picks for safe Galentine’s options in Huntsville!
Breakfast at Honest Coffee
Breakfast at Honest Coffee
Breakfast at Honest Coffee
With indoor seating, outdoor seating, and full to-go and curbside options, Honest Coffee is a safe spot to enjoy a morning out. When fellow Contributing Editor, Aissa and I enjoyed our Galentine’s Day together, this was our first stop. She got the Chocolate Chai + Breakfast Crisp, and I got an Almond Milk Latte + Daybreak Bagel. We recommend a nice table outside, but for extra safety, you can get this to-go and walk over to Big Spring Park with individual blankets to enjoy it together from a distance.
Aissa shopping at Elitaire
Sweet Thyme Bakery Galentine’s Day treats
Elitaire Boutique
Shopping at Elitaire
Elitaire is one of my favorite places to find chic and girly pieces. I’ve created an entire Guide to my favorite Elitaire Valentine’s Day Picks, which you can find on my Instagram! If you’ve got a sweet tooth like me, make sure to check out Elitaire’s Galentine’s Day pop-up with Sweet Thyme Bakery, which was voted one of our Favorite Bakeries in Huntsville in our 2020 Scouted Dine Like a Local Awards. On February 13th from 10-3, she’ll be at Elitaire selling boxes of these amazing Pistachio Macarons, along with painted almond shortbread, petit fours, and assorted cookie boxes!
Afternoon Beverages at BeeZr
This brand new spot on the square has something for everyone. I needed another round of caffeine to keep me going, but Aissa went straight for the bubbly on tap (hello, could there be a more perfect phrase?). Their front patio is so beautiful and the historic building is the perfect backdrop for sipping and enjoying yourself.
Artisan Chocolates from Pizzelles
Artisan Chocolates from Pizzelles at the Lowe Mill
Artisan Chocolates from Pizzelles
Huntsville’s own Willy Wonka workplace at Lowe Mill is slammed around Valentine’s Day, and it’s easy to see why. These artisan chocolates are a complete upgrade from those heart-shaped boxes they’re selling at CVS. With options like pecan chipotle caramel and chocolate cheesecake, the wide variety of styles and flavors means there’s something for everyone here, and you can build your own box with whichever chocolates tickle your fancy.
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
Dinner at Purveyor
I’ve eaten at Purveyor countless times, but this most recent visit was something very special. You can request patio seating, and during the winter months they’ll set you up with your very own heater next to your table. The covered patio provided a surprisingly beautiful view of the light sculpture on Jefferson and added to the dreamy atmosphere of the entire evening. Our meal got a little extravagant and included Smoked Short Rib Tacos, the Kan Kan Pork Chop Dinner for Two (essentially a build your own bao dish), the Truffle Mac and Cheese side, the Brussel Sprouts side and both dessert offerings, which were Bread Pudding and Passionfruit Tart the night we went. This is my absolute favorite special occasion spot, everything from the service to the food to the view is unforgettable.
I hope that wherever you are and whoever you’re with, you get some solid friend time this February.
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