What do you think about when you hear the word Valentine’s Day? If you said you hated it, it’s most likely that either you have a significant other, but don’t like spending money (which is totally understandable!), or that you don’t have a significant other during these times. Being single on Valentine’s Day can be hard sometimes, everywhere you see couples together, or guys rushing to get home with a bouquet in their hands, love is in the air, literally. But if we don’t have a significant other it doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day! In Spanish Valentine’s Day is translated as “Día del Amor y la Amistad”, or “Day of Love and Friendship” because love comes in many forms, and essentially that’s the whole meaning of Valentine’s Day. 

Here are a few tips I wanted to share with you all on some Valentine’s Day ideas with friends, family, or just your day- we all need to take care of ourselves first!

1. Valentines Day Photoshoot

The best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to have a photoshoot with your besties. Take a card stock paper as a backdrop, a few flower petals, heart-shaped balloons, and that cute dress or suit that has been hanging in your closet. Strike that pose, have fun, and most importantly enjoy these moments with your friends. 

2. Spa Day

Take this day to focus on yourself, while others are thinking about their significant others, you are taking time to get to know and love yourself a bit more. So pamper yourself, get that massage you’ve always wanted for in a while, open up that wine and run that bath, you deserve it!!

3. Surprise Valentine’s

One thing I love doing when Valentine’s Day hits are giving each of my closest friends a rose with a special message, It can be anything from a candy graham or a box of chocolates, etc. It’s something cute to show them that you love them and appreciate them being in your life. It also helps when one of your friends is also single and feeling a little down, with a surprise gift, it will surely boost their mood up coming from their friend!

4. Valentine’s Day Brunch

Hit up that group chat and ask your friends or those who don’t have any plans to go out for brunch on Valentine’s Day. Sip on those mimosas and celebrate being single together!

5. Valentine’s Voyage

Book that last minute (unless you’re a planner, like me) trip with your closest friends and tour around the city, country, etc. The good thing about not having a significant other is saving money, that extra income can go towards all of you!! More money to spend on visiting the most popular and touristy places there, getting some gifts for yourself or loved ones.  

6. Bar Crawl Valentine’s Day

This is a great excuse to gather up everyone and go on a bar crawl with your friends and have fun living that single life (covid friendly of course)! Plus, you never know, you might just meet that special someone.

7. Sweetie, Let’s Bake!

I don’t know about you, but I’m a big sweet tooth. Those chocolate-covered strawberries we pass by the store, why buy them when we can just make them ourselves?! Or those cute snacks or desserts that pop up on our Pinterest page (yes I still use Pinterest for inspiration) Tik Tok, or any other social media, we can all do it in the comfort of our place and for ourselves.

8. Love letters

Have you ever thought about writing letters, making them all nice, with ink, and going all out? No, just me? These letters can be personalized and is an old-school way to pour out those feelings for your friends and family, especially those who live far away. It will be a special memento for them to hear from you and know you are thinking about them this day.

9. Get Crafty

Do me a favor, look through all those pictures on your phone, with friends, family, pets, etc, and make that photo album, scrapbook, or a collage! Reminiscing through the pictures will remind you about all of the good people you have in your life. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so get creative and let your crafty side out!

10. Charity for Love

Valentine’s Day is all about giving. Find a local place to volunteer, it can be at a dog shelter, soup kitchen, after-school program, anything. Make time out of your day to spend time with others on Valentine’s Day. Simply enjoy the experience, you might just come out learning something new.

Although being alone on Valentine’s may have some negative connotations, it is a great day for giving, whether it is for yourself or others. Not only will it be rewarding seeing or hearing their reaction, but throughout the process, you’ll find yourself looking forward to Valentine’s day just to see your friends, and/or give them that gift you’ve been working on. The good thing about this list is that it can be done with a few friends, family, or just yourself!