7 Ways to Celebrate This Valentine’s Day—Whether You’re Single or In a Relationship

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As the autumn leaves clear and we delve into February, the smell and sight of love and affection seem to be waiting for us around every corner. For many, Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love with a significant other, but for others, it’s simply another typical, meaningless day of the year. Of course, the difference in how you might approach the holiday predominantly boils down to whether you are single or taken.

Whether you and your significant other have just gotten together or have been together for awhile, make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable.

Here are a few things to do with your loved one:

The Perfect Dinner. Go out to your favorite restaurant or one you’ve been meaning to try. Or, if you’re more into having a romantic time at home, you can make preparations to have either you or your partner cook a homemade meal and plan the date to your liking. You can light some scented candles, dim the lights and enjoy a quality night in. Afterward, if baking is an interest that either of you have, a sweet treat will be a perfect finish to your romantic meal. If you’re unsure of what to make, sugar cookies are always a classic choice.

Have an All-Day Movie/TV Marathon. What better way to spend the day than cuddling and watching some favorite movies or reruns in the comfort of your home? Make some popcorn, buy some chocolates, throw on a blanket, play a movie and cuddle together for as long as you want. Need help choosing which movies to indulge in? Here’s a list of some of the most loved rom-coms of all time.

Go On An Adventure. Take a trip. Go hiking. Explore a city or a new location. Show each other your favorite places. If you and/or your partner love the outdoors, bathe in each other’s company by exploring a favorite or new location and create a memory. You can plan to visit specific places, or be spontaneous and stop at random sites along the way.

Take a Class Together. Have you always wanted to take a cooking or baking class? What about a dance class that you never found the time to take? If you and your loved one have always wanted to brush up on a skill or are in the mood to try something different, this is the perfect chance to spend time together and learn something new. For many of you, this could be a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your significant other. What better way to learn something than doing it alongside your partner?

However, who says having fun on Valentine’s Day can only apply to couples? Being single may not be what’s preferred in this particular situation, especially with the media bombarding us and gushing about roses, chocolates and gifts, but there are ways to make the day enjoyable.

Here are some ways to make the most out of Valentine’s Day if you’re single:

Plan a Night Out With Friends. A term coined by Leslie Knope from the sitcom series Parks and Recreation, “Galentine’s Day” is a holiday that occurs yearly on Feb. 13. Galentine’s Day is originally a day dedicated to celebrating your closest female friends and showering them with love. However, that doesn’t mean that guys can’t have their own version of Galentine’s Day. It’s simply a day for everyone to show the most important people in their lives how much they are appreciated and admired. Why not extend Galentine’s Day into the next day and create more fun-filled memories?

Treat Yourself. Whether it’s taking the day off from work, soaking in a bubble bath or engaging in an activity you relish, treat yourself to a quiet or boisterous day where you’re enjoying whatever it is that you’re doing. Don’t wait for someone else to give you what you want. If there’s something you desperately want or want to do, don’t hold back. Being single is a great time to exercise self-love, because self-love is the only love you can count on.

Pass on the Love. Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAK Day). Up until this year, it has always been called Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week) that starts on Feb. 11, but starting this year, RAK Day will receive greater celebration and be the day that’s to be mainly advertised. Join in and partake in a random act of kindness, or volunteer for a local community event and spend Valentine’s Day passing love forward!

Valentine’s Day is a day to embrace love and relationships, but that doesn’t mean that it’s confined to couples. The best way to spend the day is to take in what you already have and focus on being happy with that. So, whether you’re in a relationship or you’re single, take the day to focus on what fills your heart and makes you happy, and make that happen.