Most people’s feelings about Valentine’s Day lie on a spectrum. On each end are the stereotypical and most extreme views: “I am single and therefore I hate Valentine’s Day, even the mention of it” and then on the other side “I am in so in love, therefore Valentine’s Day is the best day of the year.”
However, we all know that unfortunately, nothing is as clear-cut as that. There are the people in relationships in which Valentine’s Day is a gray area…to celebrate or not to celebrate? There are also the people who absolutely adore Valentine’s Day, even if they are single. These are the lucky individuals who have embraced single life with full force and simply love life and see Valentine’s Day as a way to celebrate all types of love, not just the date-y love.
And then, of course, there are the people that say things like, “If you love someone, you should show them everyday,” or “What day is Valentine’s Day again? The 13th?”
In any case, celebrating Valentine’s Day, no matter what your relationship status might be, is the perfect way to help counter the February-funk. February, although the shortest month, is also often the coldest, and there are absolutely no breaks. We need any excuse we can get to celebrate and ease the blues. Here are some ideas for how to celebrate in New Haven this Valentine’s Day, no matter where you lie on the spectrum.
If you are single and hate everything about Valentine’s Day: Don’t worry. The perfect alternative, although it may seem cliché, is to plan an awesome girls’ night out, because what’s better than celebrating the love you have for them?! The best part about this is that those people who absolutely love Valentine’s Day, but are single, will be SO down to join. Make reservations at a fun restaurant, like Kumo on Elm St., and have a long dinner enjoying sushi and hibachi. Then, find a place to bake some delicious treats (look at foodgawker.com for inspiration), and spend the night having a dance party and singing Taylor Swift (maybe some Avril if you are feeling especially angsty) at the top of your lungs.
If you are head-over-heels in love and need to spend the whole day with that special someone: You should definitely start your day by going to Lena’s or Bella’s for breakfast, both up Whalley Ave and absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious. For dinner, make sure you call ahead and make reservations at a favorite restaurant (lots of restaurants have special Valentine’s Day specials!), or be the smart couple that reserves a residential kitchen early enough to cook yourselves a delicious gourmet meal before cozying up and watching a rom-com.
If you are ambivalent about Valentine’s Day: Don’t let your ambivalence interfere with the fun that you could be having. Go with the flow and when one of your friends suggests a girls’ night, which they inevitably will, say YES.