You bare the cold, the wind numbing your face, as you walk downtown like usual. Approaching your favorite store, all you can see is a mass of pink and red assortments that look as if Cupid threw up hearts and love everywhere. You may be single and let out a sigh thinking, “It’s that time of year again” but, remember how once upon a time Valentine’s Day was the best day to celebrate? I sure do.
Ah, nothing beats celebrating the holiday of love during the glory elementary school days. If you are like me, you’ve always been a bit boy crazy and had the perfect crush to give the best and biggest valentine/sticker combination to. The room was decorated to perfection with pink and red hearts everywhere, along with each student having their own little “mailbox” to receive goodies in. Opening it up at the end of the day was a heart-warming sensation. It felt so, so nice to be giving and receiving little tokens of admiration from other classmates, even if they were just little scraps of paper with a cartoon on them.
Flash back to now: Valentine’s Day can still give you that thrilling feeling and spread that smile across your now much straighter teeth whether you are in a relationship or not. Here are a few ideas to make you feel like you’ve just been shot with Cupid’s arrow:
1. Buy Valentine’s just like you used to and pass them out to your friends
They will appreciate the kind little gift and feel a roar of nostalgia that is guaranteed to make them smile. You can even make homemade valentines inspired by Pinterest!
2. Indulge, a lot…
Chocolate is a great present to receive from anyone, and where’s the guilt in letting some dark chocolate (rich in anti-oxidants need I remind you) melt in your mouth? Share it with your friends if you are currently fixated on a Spring Break workout plan!
3. Go on dates – with your friends!
Why not enjoy what all happy couples are doing? Go ice-skating or ditch the Dining Hall for the night and make reservations for your favorite restaurant downtown. All of the tables of two will be jealous when they see how much fun you and your multiple valentines are having while sharing that delicious Penne alla Vodka!
4. Buy yourself a gift
No one to buy you a Valentine’s Day present? No worries! Since you’re not spending money for a significant other either, the money should be used to treat the most important person in your life: you. It’s time to make yourself happy and finally purchase whatever you’ve been adding to your online shopping cart for months. Plus, would a boyfriend really have the quality taste to pick out those Jeffrey’s with the spikes? I think not.
5. Be brave, tell your crush how you feel
When we were a foot shorter and much less mature, we were brave enough to slip that cute little classmate of ours a special valentine, so why not make similar moves now? Tell that boy you’ve been eyeing up and down at the gym or in class that you’re interested… or at least spark up some conversation by sending him a text message. Your inner St. Valentine will blossom with pride, and you have nothing to lose!
No need to throw an “I Hate Valentine’s Day” party like Jessica Biel’s character in the 2010 hit – this holiday of love should be enjoyed no matter what your status.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Photo Credit 1, 2 & 3