Galentine’s Day is a relatively new holiday celebrated worldwide on February 13 (the Day before Valentine’s Day). And we can thank the hilarious and witty NBC comedy show Parks and Recreation for bringing this holiday to our attention. This is my thank you to the fictional character Leslie Knope. Let’s give you the plot real quick, so the idea of Galentine’s makes more sense.
In the second season of Parks and Recreation (2010), Leslie gathers a group of her closest girlfriends for a brunch of love and waffles. “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style, Ladies celebrating ladies,” Leslie says. Galentine’s Day became a reality! It’s taken on a life of its own and even some companies include it in their marketing and promotional campaigns in February, running campaigns completely around this Day. You got to love a fake holiday that has a life behind it.
This year I’ll be holding a very special Galentine’s Zoom with some of my gal pals and in celebration of this, I’ve put together some of the stellar products that will make our Day even more special. Here are my top Galentine’s Day Gifts for you and your girlfriends.
Luxie 30 Piece Brush Set
There is no better way to pamper yourself and your friends! Beauty! I’m obsessed with these Luxie Makeup Brushes. This makes a fantastic gift!
Luxie’s 30 Piece Rose Gold Brush Set comes with every brush you need for the absolute perfect makeup application. I love that these brushes are made from synthetic, vegan, and cruelty-free fibers ideal for that flawless makeup application. This allows for less waste with your products.
Their signature Rose Gold brush line is encased in a rose gold ferrule atop a chic pink handle, making them not only functional but gorgeous display on your makeup vanity or counter. The luxurious travel bag that they come in is soft and durable for all your travels.
Honestly, all of their products are top-notch and you can’t go wrong with any of their makeup application brushes. Make sure you check out their entire line of products.
No Fine Print Wine
Is there a celebration without some spirits? I say not! I’m hooked on No Fine Print and their Lil Fizz and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. I chose both of these because some of my girls like that bubbly white and some enjoy a red. You can’t go wrong with either.
The Lil Fizz cans are branded as Sunshine in a Can. They do not disappoint. Get yourself a box inside four Lil cans full of super good tasting white wine made in California. These are great because they have a slight fizz to them as not to take away from the flavors of the wine. Some more details on the specifics of these:
- 77% Sauvignon Blanc Lake County
- 16% Chardonnay Sonoma Valley
- 7% Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma-Carneros/Sonoma Valley
Their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is super fruity and flavorful. Their flagship red wine, they crafted a juicy versatile cab that’s pure perfection for any pairing. More details on the blend:
- 80% Lodi Cabernet
- 10% Lodi Merlot
- 10% Lodi Petit Sirah
CHEERS!
ALTWELL CBD Products
Since CBD has come on the scene, we’ve seen an influx of products. I was super excited to try ALTWELL. A NEXTY award finalist has carefully curated and effectively created premium CBD-Infused consumer products to help with one’s mind, body, and soul. Their great-tasting lines include their CBD gummies, their plant-based CBD protein powders, their various tinctures, a CBD sports stock, and a CBD face serum, just to name a few. They also have recently launched kits and subscriptions, which both would make great gifts and unlike many CPG products out there, ALTWELL’s products taste good.
Founded in 2020 by wellness guru, Emilie Perz Sequential Body Livestream classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. PT. Each class is designed to offer users whole-body workouts intended to move the body through every muscle movement and movement pattern to create strength, stability and overall tone. To learn more about Perz follow her on Instagram and visit Sequential Body’s website to sign up for the programming.
The Aftermask
You’ll want all that flow this Galentine’s Day, and I’ve stumble upon the perfect thing you and your girlfriends need; The Aftermask.
This innovative sheet mask fights those nasty breakouts while soothing your skin. This mask is designed to cleanse your beautiful face, reduce those breakouts, including mask-ne, help irritation, and fight dryness. I love that it is fragrance-free and preservative-free. The Aftermask is meant to relieve skin irritations that may come from wearing your regular face mask. The ingredients are there to calm and cleanse the skin. It is not meant to replace a daily cleanser but to support the effects of it. If you’re using a facemask on the regular, you need to use this product!
Ingredients include Green Tea Leaf, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf, Burdock Root, Camomilla, Witch Hazel, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Leaf, and Cucumber.
Yave Mango Tequila
There can’t be a Galentine’s Party without some Tequila options! This is a perfect mix for a brunch or evening.
Founded by Latino Harlem, NY native, Joe Cruz Jr., YaVe Tequila is the key to unlocking a guilty free laid-back at home drinking experience. At only 60 calories a shot, YaVe Tequila has the world’s first naturally flavored Mango Tequila and is a gluten-free stimulant that acts as a sugar-free natural digestive, without the dreaded sugar crash. Whether it’s sipped on the rocks or mixed in a drink, this smoothe tequila will not disappoint.
Here’s a recipe you may enjoy!
Cinnamon Kissed Mango Margarita
- 4 oz YaVe Mango Tequila
- 2 oz Orange juice
- 3/4 oz Cinnamon Syrup
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- Cinnamon stick
- Salt Rim
On a small plate, add a spoonful of margarita or kosher salt, grab an orange and grate the peel to add orange zest to the plated salt. Cut a lime wedge and ring it around the margarita glass then circle it through the salt and zest mix.
In a separate cup with ice, pour the lime juice, cinnamon syrup, orange juice, YaVe mango tequila and shake for 10 seconds in a shaker. Add ice to the cup with the zest, insert a cut orange slice, pour the mixed drink in, and add in a cinnamon stick. ENJOY!
Mannakadar Beauty Lip Lounge Mini Lipsticks
What better way to put your best foot, or should I say lips, forward on your next ZOOM or virtual meeting than Mannakadar Beauty’s Lip Lounge Lipsticks. Masks got you covered up, make sure you splurge and treat yourself and your girlfriends to this lovely collection of lipsticks. They’re super cute too!
The Lip Lounge features priming lipstick that has a long-lasting & nourishing formula that will last all day. This highly pigmented lipstick has a built-in primer for long-wear with a semi-matte finish.
- Primer and lipstick in one
- Enriched with Vitamin E used for soothing & healing properties
- Semi-matte finish keeps lips hydrated
- Paraben Free, Cruelty-Free & Allergy Tested
Mannakadar shares a great tip: To achieve a dimensional look apply your favorite priming lipstick shade all over the lips. Take a lighter shade and apply to the center of the lips. Dab with your finger to blend the edges of where you applied the lighter color.
Dune Jewelry Best Friend Sun Necklace
Looking for that standout gift for your friend, sister or mother this Galentine’s Day? Dune Jewelry always has something super unique and special to offer.
The Best Friends Share the Sun necklaces are a set of two necklaces; a rising and setting sun. Both in sterling silver and can be personalized with Sand or Natural Elements that signify the importance of a shared and special memory bringing you together even if you’re not.
Four Roses Bourbon
I am a bourbon girl! It’s only appropriate that I make sure we have something super special to highlight this Galentine’s Day. I’ve chosen the Hey, Honey Four Roses Bourbon Cocktail. The classic whiskey sour with a fresh twist that’s sure to get your sweetheart’s attention. It does not disappointed so go grab your glasses now!
Let’s talk about Four Roses Bourbon’s Small Batch Bourbon. If you’ve ever wanted proof that mingling Bourbons is an art unto itself, you’ll find it in this perfectly balanced here. Four original Bourbon recipes were expertly selected by the Master Distiller at the peak of maturation to create a very mellow and perfectly balanced Bourbon. Straight up is how I like it but here’s a great cocktail for that special occasion.
Ingredients:
- 2 fl oz Four Roses Small Batch
- 1 ½ fl oz Honey Simple Syrup
- ½ fl oz Lemon Juice
- 5 drops Angostura Bitters
Directions:
Mix all ingredients. Serve and enjoy.
Spicy Mari Celebration Suggestions
I had to make sure I had something fun for Galentine’s Day celebrations that are going the virtual route or you may be looking for something completely different.
Spicy Mari put together a bunch of fun ideas and suggestions this holiday and I love the Bingo Card that she has offered up. But check out her other ideas:
Spicy Tips for Galentine’s Day:
- Spicy Bingo: Send family and friends personalized game cards to scratch off and play. The first one to yell SPICY wins!
- Spicy Charcuterie Board Competition: Have your friends present their custom versions of charcuterie boards and explain what each item on the board is
- Spicy Puzzles: Order blank puzzles and write a loving message on it. Send everyone their puzzle to unscramble the message. The first one to unscramble the message wins.
- Spicy Vision Board Party: Everyone hops on Pinterest and makes a vision board of their 2021 Goals! 4 Categories (Love, Health, Career, & Family). Individually they can print them out, laminate them and keep them at home on their walls.
Spicy Mari founder of The Spicy Life is a Magnetic Matchmaker and Relationship Expert focused on encouraging individuals/couples to unlock the power of their passion in order to attract their purpose-mate and find love. She’s been featured on ABC, the Tamron Hall Show, Access Hollywood, E! Daily Pop, NBC Access Live, VH1’s Basketball Wives, BuzzFeed, Essence Magazine, SoulPancake, People Mag, Tastemade, LATV Network, iHeartRadio and more.
As the CEO of The Spicy Life Inc., Relationship Consulting Firm, Spicy has mastered the method of fueling deep connections. She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of California-Berkeley, and an M.A. in Communication from USC, a dating certification from the International Dating Coach Association Additionally, she’s A certified YourTango Expert, and a Chispa App Spokeswoman.
I hope these gift ideas and Galentine’s ideas make for a special day, regardless of your “status” this February. Enjoy it with your ride or dies and make a memory, even if it’s not in person. Make sure you pamper yourself, making time for some self-care for you and your friends. Make is GREAT, make it FUN!
Follow me on Instagram at @kateelfatah
Kate Elfatah is the owner of HoM Consulting, a digital marketing agency that specializes in small business marketing strategies. Kate is also a producer, producing events and celebrity lounges during the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. Elfatah has been the executive producer for the highly successful Troupe, The Looking Glass Revue for over eight years and produced a documentary about the troupe, called Small Town Diamonds, which premiered during the 70th Cannes Film Festival. Check out Kate’s podcast Eight by Kate. Email: kate@homconsulting.com
