When you were young, Valentine’s Day was always a fun holiday. You enjoyed exchanging cards and candy with your classmates and playing Valentine’s Day-themed Bingo at school.
As you got older, the enjoyment level of February 14 was pretty much dictated by your relationship status. When you had a plus-one, the day was typically a romantic holiday that included traditional Valentine’s gifts like flowers and chocolates. When you were solo, it was like any other day on the calendar — except maybe a little lonely.
This year, you are both single and bound and determined to have a great time on Valentine’s Day, despite it being a day devoted to couples and love. To help celebrate your empowered attitude and make this February 14th a total blast, consider the following ideas:
Treat Yourself to Some Serious Pampering
How long has it been since you’ve pampered yourself? If it’s been awhile, vow to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. Manicure and massage? Yes please! If social-distancing guidance prevents you from going out, consider staying in with an at-home spa day. Start with a long and luxurious bubble bath while wearing a DIY coffee face mask. Then paint your own nails and toes!
Host a Galentine’s Day Slumber Party
Another memorable way to enjoy Valentine’s Day is by inviting some of your other single gal pals over for an old-fashioned slumber party. Consider hosting a themed gift exchange, such as lingerie or beauty products. Who says Valentine’s gifts need to come from guys? Stock up on everyone’s fave flavors of ice cream, chips, cookies and wine. You can watch a movie together—maybe a rom-com or, if you want to do the polar opposite, a scary horror flick—and stay up late giggling, eating snacks, playing Truth or Dare and reminding each other you don’t need men for a fun holiday.
Help Others By Volunteering
There is something very healing about helping others to soothe any sense of sadness you might feel on Valentine’s Day. Tap into a cause that you are passionate about and then offer to volunteer on February 14th. For instance, if you are an animal lover, give a local shelter a call and ask about playing with, walking, brushing and/or petting the adoptable dogs and cats on Valentine’s Day. The library, if it’s open, may welcome help with re-shelving books. You could bring a few boxes of cookies to a local assisted living residence or maybe a women’s shelter could put you to work for a few hours helping to organize donations.
Avoid Social Media and Text Your Loved Ones
Since Instagram and Facebook will probably be chock full of mushy posts and pics of your friends with their significant others, do yourself a favor and go on a social media fast that week. Instead, use the power of your smartphone for good and call your folks to catch up and let them know you love them, text your close friends to say you adore them all year, not just on Valentine’s Day, and call or email your grandparents to catch up on what you are all up to these days.
The Day of Love Does Not Require a Significant Other
Clearly, you don’t need a boyfriend or hubby to enjoy Valentine’s Day. The day is about love, after all, so you can definitely find ways to pamper and love yourself, enjoy the company of girlfriends who you adore, and touch base with the friends and family who mean the most to you—no guy required.
