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in Lifestyle &middot February 5, 2018

Your Guide to Valentine’s Day & Galentine’s Day

It felt like January would go on forever, but I’m still surprised that Valentine’s Day is next week. And you know that means that Galentine’s Day is, too! If you’re unfamiliar with Galentine’s Day, it’s a holiday for celebrating the other women in your life. It comes from the show Parks and Rec, but people thought it was such a good idea that it has become a real thing!

If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or both this year, this post is for you. I’ve broken it into different categories ranging from gifts to food, decor to style, and more. I hope you find everything you need for whatever holiday(s) you’re celebrating this year. If you’re celebrating neither and aren’t excited for all the decor and displays everywhere, remember: Valentine’s Day candy goes on sale on February 15.

Are you celebrating Valentine's Day and/or Galentine's Day? Here's everything you need to celebrate either, from gifts to outfits, from decor to food, and more.

Gifts

How To Write the Perfect Love Letter by Darrian Michelle

Pink & Red Valentine’s Gift Guide for Her by Truly Yours, A.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide by Street Stride

Valentine’s Day with Jeulia Jewelry by What the Clique

DIY Non-Candy Valentine’s Day Gift by An Uncomplicated Life Blog

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him & Her by Just Gigi

Cutest Heart-Shaped Items by Southern Sophisticated

What To Gift Yourself this Valentine’s Day by Lipstick & Vodka

DIY Disney Valentines  by ariel + alder

Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas by Fairyburger

Homemade Sugar Scrub Hearts by 365 Beauty Tips

Disgustingly Adorable Valentine’s Day Gifts 2018 by Happy to Wander

Galentine’s Gift Ideas by The Style Journal

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas by Haute Table

Decor

Mini Valentine’s Day Bouquets by Brighter Bold

Celebrating Galentine's Day? Here's everything you need, including food, gifts, outfits, and more.

Food & Drink

Chocolate Raspberry Heartcakes by Strength & Sunshine

Chocolate Caramel Affogato by Strength & Sunshine

DIY Galentine’s Day Wine Glasses by Ala Keighla

Rice Krispie Doughnuts for Valentine’s Day by Communikait

Healthy Donuts for Valentine’s Day by Kaley Dignen

Creamy White Bean Beet Hummus by Casey the College Celiac (the hummus is pink!)

Allergy-Free Pizzas with PIZZAZ by Casey the College Celiac (you can make it in the shape of a heart)

Style

Valentine’s Day Style: Red Dress by Lots of Sass

Romantic Hair Accessories for Valentine’s Day and Everyday Use by Gypsy in the City

Lilac Dress for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Plans by Southern Sophisticated

Amazing Outfit Ideas for Valentine’s Day by GoodTomicha

What To Wear this Valentine’s Day by Bianca Blogs

V-Day Ready: A Cute and Casual Valentine’s Day Look by Miss Moore Style

Valentine’s Day Prep by diary of she

Valentine’s Day Dresses by Sophistication

What To Wear on Valentine’s Day by Eva Darling

Valentine’s Day Date Night Look Tutorial by The Daily Sash

Valentine’s Day Inspired Outfit by DeAndrea Ashanelle

Things To Do

10 Days To Take Yourself on This Valentine’s Day by Eve Darling

How To Throw the Ultimate Galentine’s Day Party for You & Your Besties by Natalie Inspired

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas by Cecelia Boat

How To Host the Perfect Galentine’s Day Get Together by Pineapple & Prosecco

Miscellaneous

Valentine’s Day Etiquette by Alyssa J. Freitas

Thank you to all the bloggers who contributed to this post!

Like this post? Check out:

All gift guides, 10 Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts, Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. roxyturtle says

    February 5, 2018 at 9:00 am

    This is such a fabulous list of ideas!! Makes my life easy, that’s for sure. I LOVE those mini bouquets you linked to!

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  2. Yag Dalal says

    February 5, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Love letters would be my favourite of all <3 I should send your articles as a hint to my husband 😀

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  3. whattheclique says

    February 5, 2018 at 11:53 am

    Thank you for sharing the love this Galentine’s Day! LOVE this post and I hope you enjoyed my post with Jeulia Jewelry!

    xoxo,
    Erica
    whattheclique.com

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  4. Eva Phan says

    February 5, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Thanks for featuring my posts, lovely! ☺️ All the posts you found are so much fun!

    -Eva
    http://www.eva-darling.com

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    Reply
  5. KaitHanson says

    February 5, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Thank you so much for including me! This is awesome!

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    Reply
  6. Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine says

    February 5, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Such a great round-up of so many fun and festive things!

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    Reply

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SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I sh SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣
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I share my personal health experiences online, which I find it somewhat easy to do because I've been talking publicly - albeit to a smaller audience - since my health problems started in 2001. ⁣⁣⁣
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If you share something online, you need to be prepared for people to ask questions or argue with you. Should they? No. Will that stop them? Also do. ⁣
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That's one of the reasons that talking online about what can be trauma is not easy or for everyone. That's why it's important to practice self-care and to consciously think about what you want to share online before you do it. ⁣⁣⁣
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For example, I generally only talk publicly about a health situation once it has passed, especially if it's an emergency. I also make sure that I'm in a good place mentally before I talk about it. That way, I don't share things I'll regret sharing publicly later. It also helps me be less anxious about sharing these details.⁣⁣⁣
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And I don't share everything! There's lot of stuff that I haven't talked about not only online but with people in real life. It might seem like I share everything I've experienced, but I don't. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 

1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG 
2️⃣ Another trip to the foot doctor. We’re officially in Try To Avoid My 6th Foot Surgery mode 🤞🏻 
3️⃣ At least there were lilacs?

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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1️⃣ Looking down at Kate’s lap. Tubes are coming out of her shirt. She’s working on a cross stitch.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. She’s wearing a lilac mask.
3️⃣ A lilac bush

#IVIG #CrossStitching #ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness
FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? This is a se FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? 

This is a series where I answer questions I frequently get about my rheumatoid arthritis. I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice - just saying the truth about my body in particular. 

Video: Kate speaks to camera. There are captions. A black text box reads “FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain?” 

#RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneArthritis #Arthritis #ArthritisAwarenessMonth
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is the per May is Arthritis Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to remind people of these facts. Here's today's fact.⁣
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Like, comment, and share to spread awareness 💖⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Fact or Fiction? Let's Check! ⁣
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Arthritis only affects people as they age.⁣
Fact⁣
Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, including kids as young as 3.⁣
katethealmostgreat⁣
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I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does su I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does success look like? ⁣
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*This is all just for me and my case!*⁣
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1️⃣ I haven't gotten sick at all since I started, not even a cold. ⁣
2️⃣ My lungs are clear of any ground glass opacities, which was what pushed us over to finally doing IVIG regularly. ⁣
3️⃣ We feel better about saying that I don't have any infections. Because symptoms are often signs of the body fighting an infection, we couldn't always trust that I wasn't sick because I didn't have symptoms. ⁣
4️⃣ Because of all of this, we're increasing my next Rituxan dose! This will mean better RA symptoms and hopefully no new illnesses for a few years.⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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Week 17 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Making some real progr Week 17 of 2026 Weekly

1️⃣ Making some real progress with this cross stitch
2️⃣ Walking casts have multiple uses, including holding down your mat! (Don’t worry - I only did broken-foot-compatible things) 

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1️⃣ An in-progress cross stitch. You can see that Kate stitched 2 bears.
3️⃣ A walking cast lies on a black yoga mat 

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Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Fatigue Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣
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Fatigue is so much more than being tired. It's sleeping 10 hours at night and then struggling to stay awake during the day. It's trouble focusing because, even though you just had 3 cups of coffee, you're thinking about sleep. It's needing to factor rest in during the day because you have plans at night. ⁣⁣⁣
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It's no secret that I have multiple chronic illnesses. But did you know that all of them - all 11+ of them - have fatigue as a symptom? Sometimes the fatigue is worse than the pain and, uh, I live with a lot of pain.⁣⁣
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Week 16 of 2026 This week had EVERYTHING 1️⃣ Cr Week 16 of 2026 

This week had EVERYTHING

1️⃣ Cross-stitch during virtual mass 
2️⃣ Tuesday featured a 90-minute meeting during work and then an hour advocacy work call after my day job (both were good!)
3️⃣ Wednesday started at my foot doctor’s office and I left in a walking boot. Hopefully these 3 fractured bones will heal correctly this time 🤞🏻
4️⃣ Thursday started back at MGH for my annual neurology appointment + foot CT scan
5️⃣ Then I went up to Maine … 
6️⃣ to celebrate my grandma’s 85th birthday! 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a white woman with auburn hair and green glasses.
3️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. 
4️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a car.
5️⃣ Kate takes a selfie snuggling with a golden retriever.
6️⃣ Kate and her cousins stand with their grandmother in front of a sign saying "Happy Birthday." 

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My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣ ⁣ ⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
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