Imagine: Chocolate-covered strawberries, savory charcuterie boards, a mini pink heart-shaped cake, chocolate chip cookies, strawberry matcha lattes and no men, because, why would a man be there? 

That and my gals sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Feb. 14 isn’t strictly a Hallmark-made holiday reserved for couples, you can celebrate with your best friends too. 

This tradition, dubbed Galentine’s Day, is usually celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day, which luckily falls on a Friday this year, so mark your calendars! However, with your friends’ busy schedules not everyone may be available at this date. Coordinate whichever date you and your girls can make happen.

Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating your best friends and relationships with your gals who have been there for you through thick and thin.

However, Galentine’s Day is not a day when gals get together and mope about a manchild not wanting to be in a relationship with them, or cry about their ex.

While Valentine’s Day can be a touchy subject for some because of toxic relationships and breakups, that doesn’t mean you should be a Negative Nancy the whole day. Do the opposite, get up and be spontaneous.

Celebrating Galentine’s Day is better than scrambling to partake in Valentine’s Day, because you’re free from an awkward first date, a guy disappointing you, etc. Wouldn’t you rather spend the day with your ride-or-dies than with a guy who keeps giving you mixed signals?

Instead of that nonsense, you can have an amazing stress-free time with your girls, possibly doing a crafty Pinterest-inspired activity, in an overall bubbly environment. That sounds way better to me than stressing about a man.

So, plan a get-together at one of your friend’s houses or dorm, make one of those aesthetic painted banners, buy a bunch of sweet treats, wear cute outfits and take a bunch of Polaroid and Instagram pictures! Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your girls, because who needs Valentines when you’ve got girlfriends?