Ask Carolyn
Valentine’s day is aimed at couples, and those who are single often feel left out or disenchanted. But while the focus of Valentine’s may be romance, there’s no reason you can’t celebrate love of all types.
Platonic love is perhaps one of the most underrated kinds of love. Our friends are the people who support us every day, comforting us when we’re hurting, laughing with us when we’re not. But we don’t recognize that love nearly as much as we do romantic love.
The love we share with friends, siblings, and parents is just as worthy of celebration as the love of a significant other. So if you’re feeling down about being single on Valentine’s day, try celebrating the other types of love in your life.
Not sure how to celebrate? Try the ideas below.
Go on a dinner date. Yes, it’s a traditional Valentine’s day date, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for couples. Good food, good wine, and good people always make for a fantastic time. So grab a friend, your children, or your parents, and go tear up the town. The best part is you don’t even have to impress anyone.
Have a spa day. Take your daughter out for a manicure or book a couple’s massage for you and your BFF. If you’re going with friends, try one of those salons with complimentary wine. You’ll get plenty of time to bond while the technicians work, and you’ll feel pampered and fresh afterward. Many salons and spas offer Valentine’s day specials, too!
Stay in for a movie night. If you’re more of a homebody or looking for something lower-effort, why not have a movie night? Pop some popcorn, bring out the wine, and put on a good comedy. Better yet, make it into a pajama party!
Go on an adventure. Your celebration doesn’t need to be “romantic” or pink-covered because it’s the time you spend creating memories together that matters. Activities like laser tag, paintball, and hiking are great for more active groups (or a dad-son celebration). These activities are also fantastic for creating memories together. Don’t forget to take pictures!
Throw a singles party. If most of your friend group (or siblings) are single, why not celebrate your freedom together? Get a group together, order some pizza, and play a few board games, then head out for a night on the town. With all the singles parties going on for Valentine’s Day, you don’t even have to throw your own.
Send gifts. You don’t have to plan an activity for Valentine’s day because unlike a significant other, your friends and family aren’t expecting you to impress them. Instead of a get-together, consider sending your loved ones flowers, chocolate, or something special picked just for them. You can even just call or text them and let them know how much you appreciate having them in your life. Any gesture of affection you show will be cherished, because it’s not the gifts but the love we share that makes Valentine’s day special.
by Venn Crawford