Valentine’s Day, the holiday filled with heart-shaped everything, cheesy greeting cards, and cherry red roses. For singles, this day can feel lonely or even annoying, but why does it have to be? Just because you don’t have a significant other doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate the holiday that honors love. Here are ten things singles can do on Valentine’s Day that doesn’t make them feel completely isolated from everyone else:

1. Plan a Virtual Cooking Night

If you want to be with other people, but you don’t want to physically be with other people, have a virtual cooking night. Whether it be with your family or friends, invite a large group of people over Zoom and cook with them. Send the same group of ingredients to everyone prior to the call, or have a cook-off, and make something with the materials in your home. The possibilities are endless. The point is to have fun, and spend time with the people you love.

   2. Have A Themed Takeout Night

 Rather just be alone, and celebrate the love for yourself? Splurge on some good takeout instead. Order an appetizer, entree, and dessert, from the same type of restaurant – Chinese, Italian, Mexican, American, Mediterranean, etc. Pick the type of food you like the best and go crazy. Remember, comfort food is key. Everyone deserves a cheat day once in a while. 

3. Take a Virtual Museum Tour

You may be thinking, “Why would I need a virtual tour if the museums around me are already open?” Well, think bigger. Think about the world-famous British Museum, in London, or the Musée d’Orsay, in Paris, or even as far as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in Seoul. All of these museums have virtual tours and many others as well. You can discover ancient mummies and 8th Century French artwork, all from the comfort of your own couch. 

4. Galentines/Palentines Day

Again, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples, it’s about celebrating love, and that includes your friends too. Grab the pals and gals and exchange valentines gifts, make each other treats, or just hang out. I know I look forward to Galentine’s Day because it’s the one day my friends and I don’t completely tease each other. We just binge eat chocolate and watch movies together. Whatever you like to do with your friends on this day, just make sure you have a good time doing it.

5. Enjoy a Valentine’s Treat

If you do want to make treats for your friends or yourself, I suggest the Valentine’s Day Oreo Pops, which you can find here,  the heart shaped ice cream sandwiches, here, or cut out sugar cookies, here. These treats have the perfect Valentine’s theme, and they’re really tasty. However, no one will judge you if you buy donuts or cookies from the store instead. As long as you enjoy the treat, it truly doesn’t matter how you get it.   

6. Volunteer

This might not seem like the ideal activity for Valentine’s Day, but when you give back, your heart will feel warm and fuzzy. Whether it be at an animal shelter, a homeless shelter, or food drive, volunteering is actually the best way to spend your Valentine’s Day if you’re single. The love from a good deed will fill the air, and your heart. 

7. Plan a Date with Friends

If friends aren’t there for cheering you up, and making you have fun, then why are they there? A date with a small group of friends is such a cute way to spend the day of love. Going out to eat at a nice restaurant, and then getting ice cream, or frozen yogurt, afterwards is my idea of the perfect friend date. Who needs a s/o when you have the bonds of a solid friendship?

8. Self Care

 There are many forms of love, one is through taking care of yourself. Self-care days are the best days in my opinion. Spend the whole day wearing face masks, reading a book, listening to some music, and treating yourself with the love you deserve. Self-care days are the same as spa days, so relax and enjoy it, because they don’t happen very often. 

9. Chocolate Taste Test

   What’s Valentine’s Day without the gooey filled chocolate assortments? This iconic heart shaped box will have bite marks in all pieces of chocolate, leaving just one slot that you enjoy empty. We can never remember which chocolate box we like the best when this day comes back around, so a taste test is the best way to find your favorite. Go to the store and buy different boxes. The box that has the most slots empty is the winner. I suggest doing this on Feb. 15 – that way you can enjoy your favorite chocolates half priced, because singles need some love too.

10. Love Yourself

 As corny as it may sound, self love is the best love. You can do anything on this list for any amount of time, but if you don’t have the love of yourself, none of this matters. Self love means to love how you look, love who you are, and love what you are becoming. This list can’t tell you how to love yourself, that’s for you to decide, but it can tell you that self love is the only love that will matter in the long run, so treat yourself with the love you deserve.