Best Friends Forever: Gifts To Share The Love This Palentine’s Day

Call us sentimental, but we just love a day dedicated to making our friends feel all kinds of warm and fuzzies. Enter Palentine’s Day (or, like, Galentines, or Valentine’s – whatever floats your HMS Joy on the 14th of February!). On the hunt for cool ways to tell your bestie they’re the bee’s knees? That you support them (and others), or that, simply, they matter? Check out our list of nifty gift ideas and events below!

IMAGE ABOVE: EM & FRIENDS ‘BRAVE AND FASCINATING‘ CARD, COLLABORATION WITH ELIZABETH GILBERT.

GET BEJEWELLED

Nothing says “you make the whole place shimmer” like a clever piece of jewellery! Pink Nade’s dopamine-boosting Galentine’s Love Heart Statement Stud earrings are fun and attention-grabbing in the best way, channeling the energy of its team and their passion for colour, kindness, and empowering women and nonbinary folk. You’ll never be alone wearing these cute handcrafted friendship-themed dangles by Naarm (Melbourne)-based label FunkyFunYou. Founder Amy’s background in landscape architecture informs her ‘tiny people’ jewellery – each piece creates a little fantasy world of its own. We’d probably name each one after our friends, given they’re hitching a ride on our lobes! Ain’t no sunshine when your bestie’s gone? Keep the light alive with KBN Jewellery’s ‘Sonny’ necklace: half a sun that’s meant to find its soulmate around the neck of a friend. Each KBN piece is hand cut, stamped, drilled, polished and assembled by a small Brisbane-based team, making each piece unique.

TEE(M) SPIRIT

Ah, the humble T-shirt: handing a megaphone to our inner voice since the 70s! (We see you, Grace Tame).

Celebrate your fabulously chaotic friends with Confetti Rebel’s quirky ‘Shit Show Supervisor’ tee, or take a stand with the CHNGE + Samirah Raheem colab tee ‘My Body Is Not A Political Playground’. All profits from the ‘Dangerous Female’ tee goes to support women who’ve experienced domestic violence and abuse, while Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Human Rights Fund channels profit from the sale of this iconic tee to women’s rights and health causes. 

Need to cheer a friend? Brisbane-based artist Ruby H’s ‘Hello Friend’ tee is like wearing a big, warm hug, while the beautiful Minymaku Council tee celebrates everyday essentials (like cups of tea and Nokias!) and supports Women’s Council health and social programs in Central Australia.

IT’S A DATE

Have a pal who loves getting out and about? Treat them to a night (or day!) on the town – plus ones mandatory!

• Channel *that* scene from Ghost at the Gympie Art Gallery’s Clay & Sip: Valentine’s Day clay workshop, happening on the 14th of February from 6:30-8:30pm. More details and bookings here.
• Feel like expanding your inner circle? Common Vice’s Fralentine is a friendship-focused event happening on the 14th of February in New Farm, Brisbane, and is aimed at meeting like-minded people. Head this way to discover new friends. 
• Reimagine Van Gogh’s Starry Night on a heart-shaped canvas, with Cork & Chroma – in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Maybe a heart-shaped vintage cake or balloon is more your vibe? It’s the perfect way to celebrate love, creativity, or just a little you-time. 
• Get your hands dirty at Print Paint Pot in Sydney’s Valentines Day Wheel Throwing Pottery class. No experience needed – just a friend who’s up for new experiences!
• Far away from your bestie, but still in need of bonding time? Try one of ClassBento’s Online Art Classes – guided by Australian artists and with DIY kits delivered straight to your door, it’s a great way to feel connected to remote friends and family.
• Get out of your head and into your body with Sexy in the City, an empowering fireside chat and networking event on sexual and body confidence happening at Blondes Garage in Windsor, Victoria. Open to all genders!
• Calling all Gals, Gays and Theys for a celebration of love and inclusivity at Pincho Disco in Collingwood, VIC on the 13th of February – think great music, a delectable tasting menu, and loads of laughter. Head over here to book.
• Indulge in a decadent long lunch with A Feminine Affair: Galentine’s Day Edition, hosted by FemmeCon events and community in Melbourne on Friday the 28th of February.
• In the mood for smooth tunes? Invite your bestie to Galentines Day On The Green in South Brisbane! Expect a Valentine-inspired Sunday Social Session on the 16th of February. (And remember to book a picnic basket at The Jetty or River Quay Fish!)
• Swap generic florals for something way more personal (and brave – see image above!) at artist Sab Chevrier’s Galentine’s Day Self-Love Paint & Sip event in Byron Bay – it’s all about creativity, self-expression and sisterhood!
• Get starry-eyed and moonstruck at Melbourne’s Scienceworks museum for Valentine’s Day Under the Stars: an adults-only program of spacey events to choose from, plus snacks!

SMART CARD

Want to send a special message to your friend? Step away from the emojis and opt for something tangible – like these cute greeting cards. Em & Friends create real, whimsical, and – most importantly – relatable greeting cards for pretty much every occasion, from celebrating friendship, birthdays and babies to sharing support (and a laugh) about perimenopause (yes, really – much encouragement and hugs needed, please!) If you’re not into saccharine platitudes, you’ll love these cards. Our friends can be our biggest cheerleaders, supportive critics, and always-up-for-it goofballs. Often, they also keep us from cringey or embarrassing moments – which is exactly what this card by Melbourne-based Etsy maker AbleandGame celebrates. (If you know you know.)

MADE WITH LOVE

Nothing says ‘you’re my person’ like the blood, sweat and pretty ribbons that go into handcrafting a special gift. (Much better for the environment, too!) 

Crochet a little portable heart to carry (E.E. Cummings in the house) with this pocket hug by @TheKnottyBoss. Into sugar and spice? Bake @LatteAndLullabies’ love letter puff pastries for your resident sweet tooth (or make it a group date!). And if you really want to hit those Friend Goals, take inspiration from @EmiliaMarieHome’s thoughtful Goals Punch Cards, aimed at cheering your pals on as they tick off life goals both big and small.

Forget roses! Turn bits and bobs of colourful fabric into a unique and useful flower pocket with this Peppermint Posy Pocket DIY. Whip one up for a pal who might want to sew it onto something they already own, or add to a bag, tee or whatever your floral heart desires. Created by our talented sewing manager Laura, it’s totes cute!