Remember the good old days when Valentine’s Day was all about bringing candy to your elementary school classroom and exchanging Disney Princess-themed cards? There was no pressure, no stress, and no expectations, just a sugar rush that rivaled the one you had on Halloween. But fast-forward ten years and (if you’re single) the holiday becomes a dreaded day of self-pitying, eating chocolate that your imaginary bae bought you, and glaring at that couple holding hands. Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to be that way this year! Here are some ideas you and your besties can do!
1. Plan a group outing:
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Valentine’s Day is a classic date night, so why not plan a fun date night, but with friends instead? You can go to the movies and watch some films and then get dinner afterwards! Stereotypical or not, surrounding yourself with your closest girlfriends for a fun evening out is a perfect way to ensure you don’t feel lonely without a significant other.
2. Stay In:
Not so stoked about being out in public, surrounded by couples? We get it. If you’re up for playing host, there are a slew of different parties you can plan. Send an email out to all of your single girl friends and encourage them to invite anyone they know who’s also single and without plans. Here are some of our favorite ideas: Girls’ night in: Invite all your friends over and encourage them to show up in yoga pants. Order in and consider letting your friends spend the night so everyone can drink that extra glass of wine. We’d vote for a Gilmore Girls marathon (the love between Rory and Lorelai is truly something to admire), but chick flicks and rom-coms starring your favorite celebrity crush do the trick as well! Game night: Everyone loves an excuse to play their favorite board games! How will you choose between Taboo and Cards Against Humanity? Potluck: Suggest a potluck dinner to your friends, or even just a potluck dessert. Everyone loves an excuse to try new, homemade foods, and you can even encourage everyone to bring their own recipes so they can exchange them with your other guests! Gift exchange so many ideas/things you can do without the need to leaving your apartment, dorm or home!
3. Pamper yourself:
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Love can also be about splurging on the number-one person in your life: yourself. What better way to pamper yourself than with a spa day? Solo or with a friend, set up an appointment for a massage or a facial. Not feeling like you can spend the money? You can plan an at-home spa day with a friend! Do your nails and try different face masks, and start watching that show you’ve been meaning to binge-watch.
4. Get in some family time:
If you’re in the same city as your family this year, consider spending the evening with them: the truly constant (and unconditional!) loves of your life. Cook dinner for your parents and siblings, then have a game night. Or, if you’re feeling really generous, offer to babysit.
5. Shower your friends with love :
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There’s no better way to spread love than by treating and giving gifts to the people in your life who mean the most to you. It harkens back to the days when we had to hand write our names on pre-written Disney princess valentines and put them in everyone’s cubbies and we kind of love it. Making little goodie bags and giving them to your friends is a great way to show how much you love them, you could also write hand written cards and give it to them, it’s just a fun way to show you care!
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Whether you choose to spend Valentine’s Day pampering yourself, going out with a group of girlfriends or spending time with your loved ones, there are plenty of alternatives to staying inside your apartment feeling sorry for yourself on February 14. Just because you’re dateless doesn’t mean you’re any less fabulous—just let this Valentine’s Day be an excuse to celebrate all of the incredible love in your life!