Galentines over Valentines highlights why some women choose friendship celebrations.

Some women are choosing Galentine's Day — a celebration of female friendships popularized by a 2010 Parks and Recreation episode — as an alternative to Valentine's Day, arranging events from small coffees and classes to larger parties and retreats.

Many women are choosing Galentine's Day instead of Valentine's Day to celebrate friendships. The concept entered popular culture after a 2010 episode of the TV comedy Parks and Recreation. People now mark the day in varied ways, from low-key coffee meetups to organised parties, classes and retreats. Hosts and participants say the events can feel empowering on a day that often highlights romantic relationships. What to know: - Galentine's Day was popularized by a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation in which the character Leslie Knope gathers friends on Feb. 13. - Reported activities include massages, cocktails, classes such as cookie and cake decorating, calligraphy and stained glass, and retreats offering floral arranging, yoga or cold plunges. - One host in New Jersey regularly hires a bartender and DJ, invited 45 guests this year with 34 confirmations, assembles gift bags and noted that men are generally not included except for staff like a bartender. - Organisers and retreat leaders say providing creative, shared experiences builds community and can lift people in small but meaningful ways. - Some participants value being fully present without phones during Galentine's gatherings and describe those moments as core memories. Summary: The trend reframes the Valentine's period as an occasion to honour chosen friendships and has produced a range of gatherings from casual meetups to larger themed parties and retreats. Hosts and organisers report that these events can help reduce feelings of loneliness and strengthen community around the holiday. Undetermined at this time.