Valentine's Day for Singles

All you see months leading up to February 14th are boxes of hearts filled with overly sweet chocolate,  a baffling number of bouquets of budding roses,  sickeningly red heart cutouts,  cupids,  lace doilies,  and happily smiling couples walking hand in hand. Sick of wandering past a Zales  window and wondering when you'll be doing more than just window shopping? It's time to stop sulking about being single and start reveling in your singledom! Take this Valentine's Day to celebrate what the holiday is really about -- love, not commericalism. Spend time with friends, family, and other singles and rejoice in the relationships that you have or have been neglecting over the past few months.

Reconnecting with Family

  • Valentine's Day is the perfect time to let Mom and Dad know how much you love them. Send them a card,  spend time with them by inviting them to dinner, or send them a token of your appreciation through the mail if you are unable to see them on Valentine's Day. Check out Valentine's Gifts for Parents  to get some ideas. One great option is to give them a photo in a nice frame.  You can have the photo feature you and your parents together, or you with one or the other, should they be divorced. You might even consider a picture of them on their wedding day. Another option is to frame an old family photo to give to each member of the family.
  • Say 'hi' to long lost relatives, cousins whom you have lost touch with, or that estranged family member who you've always meant to make amends with but couldn't. This is the perfect time to say sorry and work on building new relationships or stabilizing rocky ones.
  • Get to know your littlest family members, such as nieces, nephews, and younger cousins. Take them out to a matinee movie or host a movie day at your house, complete with popcorn,  candy,  a Disney  flick, hot cocoa,  or any other item you think your favorite little one would like. If movies aren't your style, consider taking a trip to a museum or a park.

Having Fun with Friends

  • Instead of going to the movies, a location that will inevitably be swarming with couples, consider hosting a movie night and invite all your single pals. Plan it a week or two in advance and make sure to stock up on all the essentials. Have plenty of popcorn,  movie treats,  drinks,  and things to make the movie experience more comfortable.
  • Forget fancy restaurants and host a dinner party. Make and send invitations about two weeks in advance so that you can be sure that all your friends can make it. If your coupled friends are on the VIP list for your dinner, make sure that they bring along at least one single friend to the mix. If the formal thing isn't your style, get a few Valentine's Day kegs and throw things back to your college days.
  • Get together some friends to go ice skating. If nightlife is more your style, make it a point to go out for a huge night on the town and dress to impress.
  • Go out to a club, bar or other singles-friendly location with some friends. Everyone's a little lonely on Valentine's Day, it can be a great time to meet someone in the same boat as you.
  • Call up people who you have been neglecting to call lately to see how they are doing. Rekindling old relationships is a good way to give your moods a lift.

Pamper Yourself Day

  • Feeling a little frazzled? February is one of those months that can be very trying, what with Valentine's Day, the cold weather, rain (or snow depending on where you live), and short, dark, gloomy days. Perk up by giving your life a makeover.
    • Take a trip to the spa  to get a facial, massage,  or new hair cut.
    • Give your bedroom a revamping with a bright new duvet cover,  exciting curtains,  or a great new lamp  to brighten things up.
    • Maybe get a head start on spring cleaning by weeding through your closets so you can go shopping for a new frock  that will help you countdown the days until spring.
  • Give your head a break so you can get a fresh start for spring. There is nothing worse than keeping negative energy bottled up inside regardless of what it stems from.
    • Start taking yoga  or begin meditating. 
    • Join the gym to rejuvenate your body and mind.
    • Investigate beginning a new hobby or take up something you used to love doing. See the Arts and Crafts guide and the Sports and Recreation departments for ideas.
    • Take a mini-vacation to a nearby area where you can get some R&R and pamper yourself.
Related Guides

Anti-Valentine's Day Gifts

Valentine's Gifts for Kids

Valentine's Day gifts for parents

How To Throw a Singles Mixer