History of Galentine’s Day

It sounds a lot like Valentine’s Day, but if you’ve never heard the term ‘Galentine’s Day’ before, you might be a little confused about what it means and why it’s important. If you’ve ever wondered about the origins of this “fake” holiday, sit back and let us educate you!

What is Galentine’s Day? 

Galentine’s Day is not a nationally-recognized holiday like Thanksgiving, nor is it technically a holiday at all. While we’ll get into the origins of Galentine’s Day in the next paragraph, there are a few things to note about the pseudo-holiday. The most important thing to know about Galentine’s Day is that it is a day to recognize and celebrate the love between you and your best friends. It is recognized on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, and serves as an antidote to the mushy-gushy, romantic love-fest that is February 14. Many singles enjoy a Galentine’s night out with friends in lieu of a date in order to celebrate this other, just-as-special kind of love.

Who Created It?

Galentine’s Day was created 11 years ago, coined by the writers of a television show called Parks and Recreation. In the show, the character Leslie Knope has a group of friends gather for brunch, and states the gathering is about “ladies celebrating ladies.” While Galentine’s Day was originally all about brunch with single gal pals, you don’t have to be single to enjoy the holiday. You just have to be a person who is letting your friends know how much you care. We think this wholesome holiday deserves to be more widely recognized, and as the television show was so popular, Galentine’s Day has slowly become a household name.



How Do You Celebrate Galentine’s Day? 

The best thing about Galentine’s Day is that there is no one way to celebrate. You can mark the holiday with something as simple as a text to all your BFFs letting them know you love them, or you can take it a step further and send handwritten cards. You can also get the girls together for a fancy night out or a delicious brunch sans husbands and boyfriends. Whatever you do, Galentine’s Day is a great way to show your affection and appreciation for those who support you all of the other days of the year.

Enjoy Galentine’s Brunch at McCray’s Tavern Smyrna 

Now that you know where Galentine's Day came from, this year is the perfect time to start a tradition with your gal pals. At McCray’s Tavern Smyrna, we’re serving brunch all weekend to honor the love between our ladies and their friends. From savory steak and eggs to sweet and salty chicken and waffles, everyone will be able to find something to love on our Smyrna West Village menu.