From the ushering in of spring (soon + 2 weeks) and romantic (or decidedly not) gatherings all across, February invites those skipping the holiday to watch the sunset in the comforting company of Adele. This year, celebrate all of your relationships—whether you call it Galentine’s, a chill hang-out, or a family dinner—with Palentine’s.
Bring-your-own board (BYOB) night
Start with a trip to Trader Joe’s—French Brie, Jámon and grapes—to assemble the perfect charcuterie collage. Carefully curate a board, topped off with a bowl of hummus for the pita bread. Make the night a feast of different boards composed of diverse cuisines from different friends. Source your board from local shops—a farmer’s market at Great Park, perhaps—to make your board uniquely yours.
A group of friends gathered together around a table to share food, drinks and stories. Put on your favorite music, choose a palette of decorations, and bring your own flavor to the night with your interpretation of the chosen cuisine for the night, and voilà!
“It was really nice to be able to spend time with my friends, especially since it’s the last time we’ll all be here together,” senior Ayu Hayashi said. “I think we really had a bonding experience.”
Paint & Sip in Red
Grab an assortment of ingredients to craft mixed mocktails—Club Soda for your classic Shirley Temple and Blackberries for your Virgin Mojito—and start painting. From memories of your first post-football game on the frigid terrace of Habit’s to night walks with your friends in the local trails and beaches, commemorate the shared experiences that you made this year in our community—whatever you desire.
“I think it’s a unique way to make and commemorate memories,” senior Adalynn Duchene said.
A road trip up the (Danish) Coast
There is nothing like a good day trip out to nature or a good entertainment venue to have a blast. Take a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway with your friends, with pristine beaches on the right and the rugged hills to your left. A few hours on the road spent with friends, sharing music, memories and random thoughts is certain to be a memorable experience for all. Pair this moment with cultural experiences that can only be found in this region—we recommend the Danish adventures awaiting in Solvang, from Danish art that has blended in with the Californian culture and the picturesque town streets perfect for polaroid photos from disposable cameras.
