15 Galentine's Day gifts Leslie Knope would approve of
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News flash: February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day. Thanks to Parks and Recreation’s, Leslie Knope, there is now such a thing as “Galentine’s Day” and it’s all about “ladies celebrating ladies.” Observed each year on February 13, this female-forward holiday encourages us to spoil the fabulous women in our lives with any or all of the following: brunch, mimosas (duh), thoughtful gifts and, of course, no men allowed. It truly is the best day of the year!
While you could go the Leslie route and give each of your besties a 5,000-word essay about how much you adore them (we love our friends, but that's a major "knope" from us), try our gift guide instead. After all, there's a new cupid in town. Her name is Leslie and she'd totally approve of these 15 cute Galentine’s Day gifts.
More: Don't waste your money this Valentine's Day—here's how you should buy flowers
1. Help her love herself more with this popular book
Looking for a gift that will help your friend see herself the way you see her (i.e. beautiful, smart, driven and talented, etc.)? The answer to is this is right here: The New York Times best-selling novel Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, public speaker and CEO of TheChicSite.com. Your besties will enjoy the humorous and authentic tales of how Rachel has debunked the popular lies we all tell ourselves. It has self-care, personal development, and female empowerment all mixed in one. Girl power!
Get Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis on Amazon for $13.79
2. Make her lunch break so much better with this cute tote
Lunchtime is already the best part of the work day, and this gift gives your friend one more reason to look forward to it. Whether she works 9-to-5 in an office or runs her own schedule, she will be so excited to pack her lunch in this adorable bag. Created by Hershel Supply Co., it’s so much more than just a cute bag with a polka-dot exterior. That’s right, it also has an insulated lining, a waterproof zipper, an exterior pocket, a top handle, and double zip-around closure. She’ll want to snap a pic of this bag in all her #InstaFood posts, and she'll love all the money she's saving skipping the sandwich shop ever day.
Get the Herschel Supply Co. Polka-Dot Lunch Box at Saks Fifth Avenue for $29.99
3. Give the gift of her own personal robot… kinda
Move over, Siri—there’s a new personal robot in town and her name is Alexa. This smart little lady listens to all of your voice commands and can do a bunch of cool things like play your favorite music, answer questions, set timers, reminders, and alarms, and call and message your contacts. And it's all completely hands-free!
Your friend will become obsessed once she experiences how convenient life can be with Alexa as a roommate. She can even sync some of her favorite apps to her Echo, such as Spotify, Audible, and Headspace. We recommend the Dot because it's affordable and small enough to fit in any room, but it is back-ordered until March so get her a nice card that lets her know her real gift is coming soon.
Get the Amazon Alexa Echo Dot on Amazon for $49.99
4. Bring the laughs with a fun and subversive card game
While you might not want to lead with the fact that it’s “a party game for horrible people,” if your friend has a sense of humor, she’ll understand—and probably even win the game! Cards Against Humanity is the perfect gift for someone who a) likes to laugh, b) likes hosting their own game nights, and c) doesn’t mind getting a little raunchy (you’ll see what we mean). Just a little tip: Don't play this with your parents, as it can get a little, uh, awkward.
Get Cards Against Humanity on Amazon for $25
5. Treat her to a better blowout every day
Give your bestie the gift of time with the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler. She can get salon-quality blowouts right at home—and at no cost! People have been raving about this product, claiming it delivers fast and efficient results with the oval brush that blasts volume at the roots and IONIC technology that creates gorgeous shine from root to tip. What are you waiting for? She can kiss the days of whipping out that dryer from the ‘90s (the one that always causes a nation-wide power outage) goodbye and say hello to Victoria’s Secret-worthy locks.
Get the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler on Amazon for $59.99
6. Replace her Tinder addiction with a cuddly pillow
We’ve all had this catchy jingle stuck in our heads at least once lately: “Wayfair has just what you need.” Well, in this case, Wayfair has just what your friend needs. Your single friend, to be exact. With a promise to “lose the loneliness,” this boyfriend pillow will provide her all the comfort and closeness that a cuddle partner could bring without the drama, dangling texts, and ghosting. See you never, Tinder!
It’s even useful for friends with partners who work nights or travel for work or live far away. All you need to do is cover it with a man’s t-shirt, spritz some cologne, and voilà! Who needs a man when you have 10 cats and a buff boyfriend pillow?
Get the Original Boyfriend Muscle Man Arm Plush Body Pillow on Wayfair for $42.99
7. Deliver an affirming message with this cute mug
Popular TV shows have helped us realize that our best friends are sometimes all we need. Cristina from Grey’s Anatomy called Meredith “her person,” while Carrie from Sex and the City pondered if our besties were our “true soul mates” and not the men in our lives like we previously thought. Let her know this is what you believe too with this equally adorable and sentimental mug from Target. It comes in a cute coral color with gold cursive lettering and is perfect for holding tea or coffee, or maybe even disguising a glass of wine or a lunchtime gin and tonic—whatever floats her boat.
Get the Porcelain You’re My Person Mug on Target for $5.99
8. Play up her love for prosecco and drinking games
It was the very wise Leslie Knope who said, “ovaries before brovaries.” So instead of making your friend feel like one of the bros with a game of beer pong in red solo cups, class things up with Prosecco Pong by Talking Tables. It can be played in teams or one-on-one; just know that it will probably become the go-to party game for all of your wildest girls’ nights.
Get the Talking Tables Prosecco Pong on Amazon for $17.98
9. Brighten her bathroom with a bitter-sweet bathmat
When life gives you lemons, turn them into an adorable, chic bathmat that makes the perfect addition to any bathroom. That is the saying, right? We’ll just go with that… Anyway, this “squeeze the day” bath mat is adorable, adding the perfect touch to any space. If she’s having a bad day, it will remind her to cheer up and look on the bright side whenever life is throwing punches.
Get the Squeeze The Day Bath Mat at Urban Outfitters for $39
10. Set the ultimate spa night ambiance with cozy candles
If she’s a lover of all things cozy, your galentine will love these candles from Urban Outfitters. One even smells like mimosas! If she’s in the mood for some self-care, she can light one up while snuggling up in a cozy bathrobe, wearing a face mask, and sipping on a glass of rosé. She might call you up to join in on a DIY spa night. And to think, it all began with a single candle.
Get the Botanique Candle at Urban Outfitters for $24
11. Keep her comfy with her spirit animal
This adorable gift will make even the biggest Grinch of Valentine’s Day crack a smile. How could you not when this heating/cooling pad is also an adorable sloth? Whether she has muscle pain, wants to relax, or has period cramps that she needs to go away—like, right now—then she will love having this on hand. She just has to pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds or stick it in the freezer if she wants to cool off.
Get the Huggable Sloth Cooling and Heating Pad at Urban Outfitters for $29
12. Accentuate her beauty with face masks from Sephora
Amazing skin care products don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can give the gift of beautiful skin without the hefty price of a day at the spa thanks to these Sephora Collection face masks. At only $6 each, they come in all different varieties and scents so you can get her a few different ones she'll love. For instance, the green tea mask minimizes shine, reduces breakouts and helps soothe skin. They’re so good; don’t be surprised if she doesn’t want to share.
Get the Sephora Collection Face Mask at Sephora for $6
13. Treat her face to the cooling power of a jade roller
Speaking of skin care, jade rollers were one of the must-have beauty tools in 2018. Everyone was using it—celebrities, beauty influencers, and now, your bestie. Originating from ancient Chinese beauty practices, jade rollers promise to help reduce puffy skin, fine lines, and wrinkles (made even more effective if she leaves the tool in the fridge overnight).
Get the Mount Lai De-Puffing Jade Roller at Sephora for $34
14. Make sure her SO knows she needs more vino
You can never really go wrong gifting socks (to adults, anyway), especially when they say “if you can read this, bring me some wine” on the bottom. There’s just something so cozy about throwing on that favorite cardigan, playing some soft music, and diving into a good book and a glass of wine while your feet are all toasty warm. They make the perfect gift under $20 for the wine lover in your life.
Get Wine Socks from The Only Gift Worth Giving on Amazon for $9.95
15. Cue the belly laughs and cravings with Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook
Everyone’s favorite model/TV host/hilarious social media queen will have your stomach rumbling with her new cookbook, Cravings: Hungry for More. Filled with pages and pages of new, delicious recipes (jalapeño parmesan-crusted grilled cheese, anyone?), Chrissy Teigen's arsenal of recipes will totally wow your friend’s taste buds. This gift is perfect for the foodie in your life or even your pregnant friend who definitely has some cravings. Pick up a copy to spoil the ladylove in your life, and maybe she'll return the favor by inviting you to dinner!
Get the Cravings: Hungry for More Cookbook by Chrissy Teigen on Amazon for $20.99
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