If there ever was a year we needed this holiday, it’s this one. So I hope you embrace Galentines Day 2021. Yet conditions in many places still make it too-soon to plan in person gatherings like a typical Galentines Day celebration.
So it’s time to rethink this soul-feeding, girl-time celebration for our physically-distant world. Here are some ideas to rethink this much-needed celebration for our current times – and maybe even find some silver linings in it.
How to Plan Galentines Day 2021:
Choose a Date
The official date is February 13, which is conveniently a Saturday in 2021, but you can choose any day- or time – that works for you. For once you can include friends from other parts of the country- or world – so consider that when you choose the time.
Deliver Some Treats
If your gals are local, then it’s time for a late-winter porch drop. If your crew is more far-flung, then pop them in the mail. Or maybe you’ll need some of both. Either way, here are some ideas to take care of your gals – both near and far.
Galentines Day 2021 in a Box, Porch Drop Style: If you are hand-delivering, you have a little more flexibility with what you share. You can include any or all of the following – or create your own festive collection:
- A sparkling-single serve beverage – with or without alcohol – like a split of sparkling wine, a can of wine, beer, or cider, or a fizzy beverage like Izze or LaCroix
- A sweet treat – or two – something chocolate, like a bouchon, or maybe a pink-tinted meringue. Or a festively-shaped, tinted marshmallow.
- A festive decoration or outfit addition – a balloon, a garland – or a springy heart headband
- A thoughtful favor – maybe a small, scented lotion or candle, or a pair of earrings – (affiliate link) like these leather and cork designs
- A set of Color Street – it can be Valentine’s 2021 collection set, or any fun, sparkly option that suits the recipient
Galentines Day 2021, in the Mail: If you are mailing your celebratory packages, then you need to think about weight, fragility, and perishability. But you can still send a thoughtful gift:
- A coffee gift card (or e-gift card) – bonus if it’s for a place local to the recipient so they can #ShopSmall. Or you can easily mail Cusa tea or coffee (affiliate link) – so many flavors and types to choose from.
- A sturdy, sweet treat – brownies and other bar cookies tend to hold up well and are just as delicious with a 10 second turn in the microwave (and a scoop of ice cream!). Or go with a lightweight, yet not-so-fragile treat and mix up some marshmallows. If you have never made homemade marshmallows, now is the time to break out your stand mixer and try!
- A flat decoration – like a folding garland, an not-yet-inflated balloon, or a paper crown
- A travel-friendly favor – since these friends are out-of-town, consider something that can be used when you reconnect (hopefully soon!), like a luggage tag, or a sheet face mask to rehydrate, or travel soap sheets
- A set of Color Street – you can’t mail a bottle of nail polish easily, but you can definitely mail a set – or two – of Color Street
Chocolate-Dipped Heart Marshmallows
Equipment
- Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment
- 9×13 Glass Baking Dish
- Cookie cutters, 1 1/2 inch hearts, or as desired
Ingredients
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 1 cup cold water divided
- 7 tsp unflavored gelatin from 3 envelopes
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup agave syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- several drops gel food coloring red or pink
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 pound dark chocolate
- 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray and dust with powdered sugar.
- Pour 1/2 cup cold water into bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Gently stir in gelatin and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
- Combine sugar, agave, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup cold water in heavy medium saucepan.
- Cover saucepan and turn heat to medium-high. Simmer, covered for a few minutes to allow the condensation to drip down the sides of the pan, dissolving any crystals.
- Remove the lid, and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Raise heat and bring syrup to a boil. Watch carefully, without stirring, until syrup reaches 240 degrees (about 8 minutes).
- With mixer running at low speed, slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture in thin stream down side of bowl (avoid pouring syrup onto whisk, as it may splash). Gradually increase speed to high and beat until mixture is very thick and stiff, about 15 minutes.
- Add food color to desired shade, mixing in between additions. Add vanilla and beat to blend, about 30 seconds longer.
- Scrape marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top with wet fingers. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until firm, about 6 hours.
- Stir cornstarch and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sprinkle over top of the marshmallows, and onto work surface.
- Turn marshmallow slab out onto work surface and sprinkle more starch-sugar mixture over marshmallow slab.
- Coat cookie cutters with nonstick spray. Cut marshmallows into squares or other shapes. Toss each in remaining starch-sugar mixture to coat.
- Melt chocolate and coconut on low in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring frequently, until fully melted. Dip the bottom of each marshmallow in the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip into bowl.
- If desired, press into sprinkles or chopped candy canes or other toppings. Place chocolate side up on silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined tray. Allow to dry completely, about 2 hours, before stacking or storing.
Notes
Celebrate Galentines Day 2021!
If we have learned little else in the past eleven months, I hope we have learned to appreciate time together with family and friends. Jump on a platform of your choosing – if your group is small, then Facetime or Facebook Messenger is great. For larger groups, you’ll need Zoom, WebEx or Teams.
Related Posts:
Valentine’s Day Without Candy: 4 Simple Ways to Celebrate Without (Eating) Candy
How to Refresh Your St Patricks Day Dinner
