Celebrating Valentine’s Day immediately brings to mind roses, chocolates, fancy dinners out or romantic nights in. However, for singletons, February 14 often serves as reminder of being dateless. Even without a significant other, there are still plenty of ways to have a good time on Valentine’s Day. Celebrate with a group of single friends (or couples who do not submit to the Valentine’s hype) or treat yourself to a rare night alone.
Enjoy a Valentine’s Spa Night
Gather friends who are single on Valentine’s Day to have a night of pampering and gossip. Collect women’s magazines such as Glamour and InStyle for makeover ideas plus a stash of celebrity magazines to inspire gossipy conversation. Take turns giving each other manicures, pedicures and makeup. Try out at-home facial treatments and aromatherapy. Complete the evening with fresh food such as fruit and granola and, of course, cocktails.
Host a Singles Only Party
Know a lot of singles? Then throw a party where only single people are invited. No one will feel pressured into finding a date and everyone can expect a night of fun. Keep the party relaxed by serving simple drinks and finger food and playing activities that get everybody involved. Some good options are karaoke, charades and Pictionary. If the guest list is small, choose classic board games such as Clue, Monopoly and Scrabble.
Volunteer on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is usually associated with couples in love, but it can also involve love for everyone. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate love in a different way by volunteering for an organization in the community? Consider serving dinner at a soup kitchen, visiting a nursing home or delivering flowers to seniors. This is a great way to show love to others, and the benefits are far greater than any candlelight dinner or night at home.
Be a Chaperone
Do you have a younger brother, a goddaughter, or know a friend’s child who is not old enough to go out alone, but still wants to go on a Valentine’s date? Be the chaperone. They will love to go out with someone much cooler than mom or dad. Take the tween couple to a school dance, a classmate’s party or a special dinner. Give them space when it is appropriate, but make sure they understand you will follow mom and dad’s rules.
Spend Time Alone on Valentine’s Day
There is nothing wrong with spending Valentine’s Day alone. It is the holiday for love, so show some to yourself by devoting time to the things you enjoy most. Whether it is going for a long walk, reading magazines all day, watching television reruns or taking a relaxing bubble bath, everyone deserves a little me time. Decide what it is that would make the day fabulous, then give it to yourself.