Very, Very Valentine-less

As I was preparing the Very, Very Valentine's Edition of my newsletter at work today I came across this article I wrote last year. I thought it was cleverly written and had some good activity ideas if you find yourself regrettably Valentine-less this year. Actually, most of the ideas can also be implemented by love-gushing couples.

Take a look and plan on celebrating the Day of Love this year regardless of whatever stages of romance (or unromance) you find yourselves in.

What to do on Valentine’s Day if you don’t have a Valentine? Beat the bachelor/bachelorette blues with these bright ideas.

It’s Valentine’s Day and you find yourself unavoidably single. Now what? Here are 10 things you can do instead of moping.

1. Party it up! Meet up with your single friends and revel in all the freedom and fun that comes with being single.

2. Movie night with your favorite celebrity crush. Rent a couple of movies with the famous hunk or hottie of your choosing, jump into some sweat pants and toss a bag of Orville Redenbacher into the microwave.

3. Spend the night with your best “friendboy” or “friendgirl.” Take out a friend of the opposite sex and enjoy each other’s company over some tasty food and a funny movie.

4. Play hooky. Skip work or school and do what you’ve always wanted to do while the sun is still up—whether it’s hitting the slopes or holing up in front of the fireplace at home.

5. Do nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe the best way to celebrate the day of love is not to celebrate at all. Go to work, go to the gym, go home. Feb. 15 will come before you know it.

6. Girls’ Night Out/Boy’s Night Out. If you’re lucky enough to have friends in the same boat as you, get together and hit the town. Rock the nearest Kareoke bar, kick back in front of the latest flick or grab some grub at your favorite place—anything is better with friends around.

7. Celebrate non-romantic love. Heck! Just because it’s V-Day doesn’t mean you’ve got to spend it with your lover. Hang out with a sibling, a pet, your kids, a parent or a co-worker.

8. Play matchmaker (for yourself). Don Cupid’s quiver and diaper by taking the opportunity to let your crush know how you feel with some balloons and a saucy note from “your secret admirer” or from _______________ (your name here) if you’re feeling bold.

9. Don’t have someone else to spoil? Spoil yourself. Get a massage, max out your visa at the salon or buy the Hugo suit you’ve been eyeing for months…

10. Do something nice for someone else. Nothing beats the blues like a little service. Find someone that needs cheering up and bake them some cookies, mail them a card or send them a singing telegram.