12 Ideas for Valentine's Day If You're Not Part of a
Couple
by Susan Dunn, MA, certified Emotional Intelligence Coach
When we think of Valentine's Day, we tend to think of two
lovers celebrating together. If you aren't paired at this
time, don't let yourself get left out! Here are 14 great
ways to celebrate Valentine's Day YOUR way.
1. Celebrate with a child!
If you don't have one, borrow one! Invite your niece over
for an afternoon of tea with tiaras and tutus, making
Valentines, and reading Valentine's books. Got a boy in
your life? How about some slap-jack or Pente, video games
and a candle-lit dinner with fondue - to keep those hands
busy! Nice red catsup is good enough for the sauce!
2. Give a party at a children's shelter.
The Volunteer Director is trained to help you! Simple
refreshments, favors, plan a game, tie-dye t-shirts, crafts,
play the piano and sing. It's the thought and the
companionship that count. Games? Play musical chairs,
tying big red bows to the front of the chairs. Pin the Lips
on Ms. Valentine - draw "her" on posterboard - use moving
eyes, false eyelashes and pipe cleaners for hair. Put each
kid's name on a pair of red lips cut out of construction
paper with tape on back. Blindfold them with a Valentine
scarf and proceed! Valentine Bingo - make bingo cards with
February-theme items: groundhogs, Presidents Lincoln and
Washington, candy, hearts, doves, lovers, Valentines, etc.
Serve "Love Potion" for the beverage.
3. Make it a special day for someone in a retirement or
nursing home.
4. Have friends of all ages over for a Valentine's Party.
Sing love songs, watch a video, make an outrageously
beautiful buffet spread. Have everyone bring a grab bag
gift. Have a poetry contest. Here's a list of Romantic
songs: http://www.inspirationpoint.com/ipmusic.htm .
5. Call up your son and daughter-in-law and tell them you're
coming for the weekend to take care of the kids so they can
go celebrate.
Pack the parents off, and then bake Valentine's cookies with
the kids and have a red dinner - red jello hearts,
heart-shaped pasta with tomato sauce or heart-shaped pizza,
Hawaiian punch and cinnamon hearts in hot cocoa. "Willie
Wonka" video, everyone gets in the big bed with Nana,
snuggle-time, dogs included. Woo hoo!
6. Celebrate with your animal companion.
There's no more reliable source of love in our lives. Bake
some homemade dog biscuits (
http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/bone.htm ) . Take your dog for
a special outing, and on the way, drop off your treats at
the local animal shelter. Or take your animal companion
with you to a nursing home or convalescent center. Many
facilities are making this opportunity available for their
guests. You can deck your dog, cat, ferret or rabbit in a
festive Valentine scarf -
http://www.pet-bandanas.com/valentines-bandanas.htm - for
the occasion. Valentine's sweaters, vests, ties, bows,
boas! And anything else you need for your little furry
friend - http://www.cosettescloset.com/valwear.html .
7. Enjoy the day helping others.
A local place of worship might be building a house for
Habitat or going Valentine caroling at a housing project.
If not, why not? If not you, who? Organize something with
your civic group, singles group or Sunday School class. If
the New York Giants can do it, so can you. They visited
patients in Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian on
Valentine's Day.
8. Book a Valentine cruise on the Costa cruise line and
dance the nights away.
Be a gentleman host, or dance with one! Gentlemen dance
hosts "work" from 8 pm to 1 am every night, visiting with
and dancing with women cruise guests. Great vacation for
singles! Gentleman, don't forget your red cummerbund and
bowtie (http://store.yahoo.com/tiebar2/solcolcumbow.html ).
Wait til the last minute when the rates go down really low.
9. Have the girls over for a Valentine Day Brunch.
10. Check for special events in your town. A special
Valentine pops concert perhaps? Or get away for the weekend
and see some great art. Bath House Center in Dallas, Texas,
has an annual February exhibit called "El Corazon," "the
heart." The Utah Symphony will be presenting a Valentine
Symphony concert February 11 and 12.
11. Try something zany. The Embassy Suites, Richmond, Va.
offers the King's Dominion Package - 2-room suite,
breakfast, reception, indoor pool and Jacuzzi and 2 adult
tickets to go ride that roller coaster! There's more than
one way to 'lose your heart' on Valentine's Day.
Or check out the Winter-storm adventure Ancient Cedars Spa,
Vancouver Island at the Wickannish Inn, situated on a rocky
promontory at the westernmost point of Chesterman Beach, at
the gateway to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
(http://www.wickinn.com/Frames/HPfrm.htm ). Enjoy the
spectacle of 20' waves pounding the coast from your room
with ocean view, deep soaker tub, and fireplace for optimum
viewing. All spa amenities, epicurean dining and "the
storm-watching experience". Slickers provided. Bring along
some friends, your pet, and/or a good book!
12. Feed your heart! Curl up with a good book. Read a
super sappy and sentimental romance, or read about love
itself -- "A General Theory of Love" is written by three
doctors, one of whom writes like a poet (
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375709223/susandunnmome-20
).