8 Best Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day When You’re Single
Valentine's Day: It's the holiday we've always loved to hate — especially if we're single. Well, we say no more. While your tied-down besties are busy stressing about what to buy their boo, whether they'll be able to score reservations at that new restaurant, and which outfit is right for the occasion, your schedule is free to celebrate however you wish. We'd even argue that Valentine's Day is just as fun — if not more fun — for single folks. So for those of us who haven't completely abandoned the holiday already, here are some ways to partake in the festivities — regardless of your relationship status.
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1. Treat your favorite couple(s). Babysit your nieces and nephews and give your sibling and their bae a night of much-needed alone time. Cook up a romantic dinner for your parents. Take Grandma and Grandpa out to ice cream. After all, these are the couples who showed you what love looks like: They've earned an homage.
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2. Go on a V-Day getaway. The holiday falls on a Friday this year, so take advantage of the long weekend (Presidents' Day is on Monday!), and get the heck outta town. Whether you're expecting a spontaneous tryst with a stranger or just looking to spend some time exploring an exciting new place on your own, you'll return feeling like you really made the most of your holiday.
3. Make valentines. Grade-school students aren't the only ones deserving of a good old-fashioned valentine. Get out the stickers and scissors and show those you love just how much you care about them. Your friends, family and, hey, maybe even that coworker you have a crush on, will undoubtedly be touched by the gesture. Arts and crafts, here we come!
4. Practice self-love. This manifests itself in myriad ways, so go ahead and pamper yourself how you please. Catch up on sleep, get a mani-pedi, take a bubble bath, grab a drink with an also-single friend. We expend so much energy doting on others, so if we let it, Valentine's Day can serve as a reminder of who it's most important we love: ourselves.
5. Watch something with a strong, independent female lead. Samantha Jones certainly wouldn't be upset about being single on Valentine's Day, so neither should you. Some of our #girlpower recs? Gilmore Girls, The Golden Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Jane the Virgin. Here are some Netflix shows that celebrate singlehood too. Just think about how much easier it is to choose a Netflix show to watch when you're on your own!
6. Host a singles-only party. Although we love a good Galentine's Day celebration, we don't necessarily think it needs its own day — why can't platonic love be celebrated on Valentine's Day, too? Invite all your single friends over (boys allowed too!) to cheers the warm, fuzzy, friendly feelings you give each other. You pick: low-key wine night or full-blown bash.
7. Bake some treats. When it comes to sweets, Valentine's Day is practically winter's Halloween. What better excuse to consume all the confections we can get our hands on? Try 4-ingredient bakes, heart pies (yum!), or even no-bake desserts!
8. Indulge in the deals. Valentine's Day is often bashed as a corporate scheme, so you might as well take advantage of the steals. Plus, it falls right before President's Day. Hundreds of retailers offer sales and coupons for the occasion. Or, bring it to the next level and partake in the couples-specific discounts with a friend. We'd take a marked-down couples massage any day of the week.
How do you plan on celebrating the holiday with or without a sweetheart? Let us know @BritandCo.
This article has been updated and was previously published in January 2019.