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Your relationship with your au pair is the kind of closeness that deserves celebrating, and Galentine's Day is the perfect excuse.
If you're not familiar, Galentine's Day (February 13th, aka the day before Valentine's Day) is all about celebrating the women who make your life better. Thanks, Parks and Rec, for giving us this gift. And honestly, your au pair probably tops that list. She's not just helping with childcare—she's become your teammate, your kids' bestie, and maybe even your friend.
The best part? Galentine's Day doesn't require fancy reservations or big budgets. It's about taking a few hours to appreciate each other and have some actual fun together to strengthen your bond. Here are seven ways to make it happen.
"I feel like she is my own daughter, we laugh together, support one another, and lean on each other during busy or hard days." Grace, host mom in Florida
Galentine's Day ideas for you and your au pair
Create vision boards for the year ahead
Grab those old magazines you've been meaning to recycle, some scissors, glue sticks, and poster board (or just regular paper—we're not judging). Spend an evening cutting out images and words that represent your goals for the year. Your au pair might be dreaming about visiting destinations across the U.S., while you're manifesting a family vacation where nobody loses their shoes and you get to go on an actual date with your spouse because your au pair is with you. The real magic? The conversations that happen while you're flipping through magazines and debating whether that sunset photo represents 'inner peace' or 'I need a beach day.'
Trade-off painting project
Here's where it gets fun: set up two blank canvases and some paints, then set a timer for five minutes. You each start painting on your own canvas—whatever you want, no rules. When the timer goes off, swap canvases and keep painting on each other's work. Keep trading every five minutes until you both decide the masterpieces are complete. You'll end up with two totally unique collaborative pieces of art that somehow represent both of you. Bonus: these make amazing keepsakes that you'll both want to keep forever.
Rom-com movie marathon
Once the kids are asleep, it's time for the most sacred Galentine's tradition: the rom-com marathon. We're talking Legally Blonde (obviously), 13 Going on 30, The Proposal, or whatever makes you both happy-cry. Break out the popcorn, candy, fuzzy blankets, and make it a full pajama party situation. Your au pair will get a crash course in American rom-com culture, and you'll probably discover that some jokes don't translate—which leads to hilarious conversations about dating culture, friendship expectations, and why we're all obsessed with Reese Witherspoon.
Decorate Valentine's cookies together
Hit up the grocery store for some pre-made sugar cookie dough, frosting, and way too many sprinkles. Spend an afternoon decorating cookies and definitely don’t worry about whether they look Instagram-worthy. (They won't, and that's the point.) Your au pair might share stories about how her friendships and traditions back home, or you might end up in a friendly competition over who can make the most ridiculous-looking heart. Either way, you'll have treats to snack on and probably some excellent photos of your questionable decorating skills.
Make a special Galentine's brunch
Brunch is the official meal of Galentine's Day. Wake up a little earlier than usual (or save this for the weekend) and make something special together: heart-shaped pancakes, fancy French toast, a fruit and cheese board, mimosas or mocktails with sparkly juice. Throw some pink napkins on the table, light a candle, grab some grocery store flowers, and call it festive. The key here is making it together, not just serving breakfast. Cook, chat, laugh at your pancake-flipping fails, and bond over the universal truth that everything tastes better when made with friends and family.
Build a Valentine's themed charcuterie board
Grab some cheese, crackers, fruit, chocolate, and whatever else looks good at the store. Then spend time arranging it all into something that looks vaguely Instagram-able. Use cookie cutters to make heart-shaped cheese (yes, really). Add some Valentine's candy. Go wild. Your au pair might throw in some snacks from her home country, which makes it even better. Take a photo before you devour it, because this is the kind of moment you'll both want to remember.
DIY spa night
Pick up a few sheet masks and a fun nail polish color, put on a chill playlist, and transform your living room into a DIY spa. Paint each other's nails, try out those face masks that make you look slightly terrifying, and just relax without anyone asking you for snacks every five minutes. For au pairs who are missing their friends and family back home, this kind of classic girls' night ritual can feel really special. Plus, you both deserve an hour where the only thing you have to do is sit still and let a sheet mask work its magic.
"Sofi has enriched our family not just through what she does, but through who she is. And if there were any doubt about how real our connection is, her decision to extend with our family for another year says everything." Danielle, host mom from California
Why this actually matters
Here's the thing about the au pair program: it's technically about cultural exchange and childcare, but the real magic happens in these smaller, everyday moments of connection. When you take time to celebrate your au pair—not as your childcare provider, but as a whole person with her own dreams and personality—you're creating the kind of relationship that actually changes lives.
Years from now, she will absolutely remember the Galentine's Day when you made collaborative paintings together, or decorated cookies while laughing about your terrible frosting skills, or had that deep conversation over brunch about what you both want from this year.
The best au pair relationships turn into lifelong friendships. The young woman living with you right now might become the person you visit overseas, the auntie your kids video call on their birthdays, or the friend who shows up for your major life moments years down the road. And those friendships? They start with small moments of intentional connection—like celebrating Galentine's Day together.
Ready to find your perfect au pair match? Cultural Care Au Pair has been connecting families with amazing au pairs for over 35 years. Browse available au pairs today and discover how this unique childcare solution brings flexibility, cultural exchange, and genuine friendship into your home.
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