Valentine’s Day has been one of my favorite holidays–if you can even call it that–since I was a little girl. I was fortunate to have a mom that said, “screw the patriarchy!” and threw my siblings and me bomb Valentine’s Day parties every year. She’d buy us sparkling grape juice, surprise us with plushy stuffed animals, make a zillion different chocolate-themed desserts, and invite friends over. Because of this, I never felt the compulsive need to have a SO to feel special or loved, as I was growing up. But once I packed up my boxes and drove my little Toyota Camry to college, I realized that this wasn’t the case for everyone.
My first Valentine’s Day away from home was depressing, to say the least. With no mom or boyfriend to celebrate with, that little girl sparkle I donned from childhood Valentine’s Days began to fade. However, it wasn’t long before I straightened my tiara and decided that my college girlfriends needed a real V-Day party, instead of a pity one. Whether you’re an ardent anti-Valentine’s Day protester out of singleness, a deep-seated distaste for men, or skeptical of American consumerism, you’ve got to have some fun this year — and why not with your besties?
- Throw an Ex-Themed Drink Night.
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I have been waiting to do this Tik Tok trend for a while now. What better night to toast to an “Anger Issue Mimosa” than the gushiest night of the year? Grab that girlfriend that just went through the breakup and literally drink to forget why you ever dated them in the first place!
- Go to Target and buy chocolate.
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While your classmates are hand-feeding chocolate-covered strawberries to their dates, you and your best friend can gorge yourselves on an entire bag of Ghirardelli chocolate while aimlessly wandering Target’s time-bending aisles! Boxes of chocolate are overrated anyways. Save you and your bestie the energy of half-biting chocolates until you find the caramel ones by going to Target and buying yourself the chocolates you’re actually craving.
- Host a rom-com marathon.
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You may be an edgy college student that refuses to play into commercialized holidays, however, you simply cannot let V-Day pass by without participating in this Galentine’s tradition! Even the most non-conforming of besties still have a good cry while watching P.S I Love You. Pop the popcorn and maybe a bottle of champagne, snuggle up next to your single bestie, and bask in the art that is a classic 2010s rom-com. Whether you’re sobbing while watching The Notebook or light-heartedly giggling at The Proposal, this is a perfect activity for a Valentine’s Day night in.
- Go blacklight roller-skating.
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Everyone needs a little bit of thrill on Valentine’s Day. Clubbing and bar hopping aren’t the only ways to add some lively energy to a valentines bestie date. Blacklight roller skating is a more mellow alternative to headache-inducing strobe lights. Strap up your skates, grab your best friends, and have a great time! ICYMI: the photo ops for this idea are supreme.
- Have a baking party.
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Aside from commercialized candy and love, Valentine’s Day is also all about sweet treats! Whether you’re a baking pro or your skills would land you on Nailed It!, having a baking night is a fun way for you and your friends to bond on Valentine’s Day. You can make some classic yummy treats like champagne cupcakes and have a movie night or pick a challenging recipe and laugh as Pinterest-worthy desserts turn into DIY nightmares. Bakers, begin your craft.
