I’m sure this comes as no shock to anyone, but the first month of 2020 flew by, and now the spirit of Valentine’s Day is in the air. For some, that can be exciting, with ideas of grandeur for romantic vacations, dates, or gifts. However, many people resent this time of year for various reasons, including one of my friends, who has a horror story of her break-up on February 14th. I don’t have a significant other to spend the day with, but I’ve always thought that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love; the day is for cherishing familial, platonic, and self-love as well. I want to share some of the best places to go and things to do on Valentine’s Day, whether you’re with a group of gal-pals or find yourself as a party of one!
Due It Right:
It’s the perfect day for decadent desserts, and if there’s one dessert that just can’t go wrong, it’s fondue. My friends and I always went to someone’s house and made it a fondue party, but if you want to be fancy, the Melting Pot is a great place to go. If you want to make it a date, there are three courses of fondue: appetizers (pretty much just melted cheese), entrees, and of course dessert, which comes in a variety of options like dark chocolate, white chocolate, and my favorite, chocolate and peanut butter. Fondue is a great option for everyone, and trust me, it’s a lot more fun than sitting alone and eating chocolate straight from the Ghirardelli’s bag.
Find Your Fun:
There are two types of scavenger hunts: one that’s active, and one that’s not so active. If you prefer something a little more spontaneous, set up a list of places, sites, or objects that you and your friends can race to find and take selfies with. My previous college offered a scavenger hunt for us in the city of Milwaukee, and it was super fun to do with my roommate.
If you aren’t as outgoing, there are plenty of “scavenger hunts” for movies and tv shows. A few friends and I tweaked a Harry Potter game a bit (since the title implied that we should be taking sips of butterbeer when certain phrases were said), and spent hours eating different mystery jelly beans anytime “Alohomora” was used, or when Draco Malfoy said, “My father will hear about this.”
Group Adventure:
Whether you take a hike with friends and picnic at the top or take a pottery class, a group event is hard to get wrong. Let’s be honest, even in a relationship, you would have to plan everything on Valentine’s Day anyway, so why not organize a group date that caters to your interests? There are plenty of cooking classes for foodies, go-kart racing for daredevils, and trivia nights for every interest!
You can do plenty of these things alone as well. I promise, no one will judge you for biking, seeing a movie, or attending a drawing class by yourself, and you may really enjoy yourself or learn something new by stepping outside of your comfort zone this Valentine’s Day!
Shopping Spree:
If you’re worried about being seen by yourself on Valentine’s Day, I can guarantee that being alone at the mall will never get you weird looks. Last year, I set a budget of about thirty dollars and was able to get a mini lotion from bath and body works, the latest book from my favorite YA series from Barnes and Noble, a fun set of socks from Hot Topic, and a giant danish and hazelnut coffee from Panera as I completed the last of my haul. It’s a great way to treat yourself without feeling guilty; you’re simply taking yourself out for a date this year!
The Best Idea:
Get a dessert you would normally split with someone (I recommend a fat slice of cheesecake), and eat all of it. Nobody actually likes sharing their food, and since you’re single, you don’t have to!
The most important part of Valentine’s Day is recognizing those you care about, so whether you’re treating your girls or having a self-care night, take a little time to be appreciative of all the love in your life!