Ten ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day while single

Being sad and single on Valentine’s Day is a painfully outdated trope. The more cynical among us will say it is nothing more than a capitalist cash grab and even the more romantically inclined might agree that there is more to love than receiving an obligatory card. That being said, what’s wrong with taking the opportunity to celebrate love in all its many forms? This year, instead of going down the tired romantic route, try our tips to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Host a Galentine’s Day party

Who says your soulmate has to be a romantic partner? Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your friends and throw a Galentine’s Day party. Originally thought up by the writers of Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s traditionally falls on 13^th February each year, but we’re sure the fictional holiday police won’t hold you to this. How you celebrate is up to you and your friends, but Leslie Knope was definitely onto something by hosting a breakfast.

Pamper yourself

Take this particular day of the year as an opportunity to show yourself some love. Book a massage, get a haircut, schedule a manicure or plan a full at-home spa day, complete with fluffy robes and cucumber slices on your eyes. Ultimately, your relationship with yourself lasts a lifetime, so take some time to look after yourself.

Give back

Something else you could do for Valentine’s day is research and find local volunteering opportunities and give your community some love. You could even get friends and family involved. Alternatively, you could raise money for an organisation of your choice, donate food to a food bank or sort out your wardrobe and give some clothes to a charity shop.

Take yourself on a date

You don’t need anybody else to have a good time (ahem). If you’ve been dying to try that new coffee place now is a chance to treat yourself. Or why not go on a trip to the cinema, see a show or visit a museum? Your options are endless!

Make Valentine’s cards for your friends 

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Now can be a good time to let your friends know what they mean to you by making them Valentine’s cards. You can get creative and break out the pencils, paint and crepe paper. Not only are you getting a fun afternoon of crafts, but your friends also get a token of your appreciation and who doesn’t like getting a card in the mail?

Buy yourself a gift

Who knows you better than you do? Your browsing history and targeted ads, that’s who. Why not treat yourself to something you’ve been adding to your basket for the past weeks without buying? The joy of buying for yourself is that you don’t have to settle for cheesy mugs and cheap chocolate.

Host a dinner party

Valentine’s Day and fancy dinners go hand in hand. This year, ditch the overpriced set menus and get yourself in the kitchen. Go all out and plan a three-course meal for your closest friends and family. Or you can ask everyone to bring their favourite dish and share the love.

Have a movie marathon

Lean into the cheesiness of this fabricated holiday with some cheesy fabricated narratives. 27 Dresses, Bridget Jones, When Harry Met Sally, grab some popcorn, a bottle of wine and settle in for a marathon of all the classic romcoms.

Babysit for your friends

Maybe someone you know could really use a romantic night with their partner. Offer to babysit the kids so they get a chance to some much-needed quality couple time. Bonus points if you make Valentine’s cards with the kids.

Stop and smell the roses

We don’t mean “buy yourself a bouquet of roses” (though don’t let that stop you), but take this day to go out and get in touch with nature. You could go for a long walk in the park or travel out further for a full-on hike. It might sound a bit silly but it can be easy to forget that the world we live in is absolutely beautiful and what’s not to love about that?

Sally Wijers