Feel the Love
It’s the shortest month of the year. You know what that means! It’ll go by in the blink of an eye amidst a whirlwind of pink, red, flowers, and chocolates. That’s right, it’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is coming! Drugstores will be pushing tiny teddy bears and heart-shaped lollipops until March comes around and gives us those hopeful first glimpses of spring. For some, Valentine’s Day is a symbol of romance – a day they get to spend with their significant other and enjoy a nice dinner and bouquet of roses. For others, that doesn’t suit them – they’d rather spend the holiday giving love to their friends and family. The choice is yours, so let’s take a look at some options.
Make it a Palentine’s Day
Yes, you read that correctly. You don’t need to make the day all about your significant other, or even have one to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Your friends are there to give you love all year round too, so enjoy this holiday with your pals, if you’d like.
If you wanna go out…
Start your day off right with some brunch or lunch. Waffles, eggs benedict, and cappuccinos (any brunch delights, really) are a great way to start any holiday!
Get some manicures and/or pedicures. Meet up for a little group pamper session – always a good option.
Make it adventurous with a group activity. Get out there and laugh together with some laser tag, an escape room, or karaoke.
Stay classic and go out to dinner. While couples are enjoying tasting menus and singles are mingling, reserve that group table at your favorite restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal and great conversation.
If you wanna stay in…
Make it a movie night. Grab the blankets, popcorn, and chocolates and relax with a movie marathon at home with your chosen palentines.
Craft some palentine cards together. Get back in touch with your elementary school roots and make homemade valentine's. You may find paper and glitter everywhere the next day, but you’ll have fun memories too.
Make some festive cookies (or regular cookies). Mix up a batch or buy some premade cookie dough and have at it. You can decorate sugar cookies with all the pink frosting and red sprinkles you’d like or keep it simple and roll out some classic chocolate chip cookies and milk – delicious either way!
Fun Date Ideas (Whether It’s the First or the Hundredth)
So, you have a date this Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s a first date your friend set you up on, or maybe you’ve lost count because you and your date have been together for years. Regardless, you want to make sure you have a fun date that each person will enjoy. Talk to each other and see what sounds best, from there, you’ll have lots of options.
Feeling active?
Go roller skating or ice skating
Take a dance class
Try out axe throwing
Meet up for a walk and some coffee
Feeling crafty?
Take a paint-and-sip class
Give pottery a try
Sign up for a cooking/baking class
Go to a plant-potting event
Feeling like a night on the town?
Go restaurant hopping – share a small dish at each place
Sing karaoke
Listen to live music (at a bar, in the park, at a concert)
Visit all the tourist sites in your city
Have a blast at the arcade
A Little Self-Love
Don’t forget that you deserve love too, even from yourself. While it’s nice to spread love to others and receive it back, we need to be our own priority too. In honor of all the love in the air on February 14th, make yourself feel special in whatever way feels good.
Maybe you need to wake up in the morning, meditate, and spend a few minutes speaking or writing positive affirmations. Perhaps you need to stop by your favorite café on the way to work and get your favorite coffee and/or pastry. Do what you need – take a workout class, get your hair done, binge-watch your favorite show. Honor your needs and wants and take a little time to care for yourself because you deserve love just as much as all the people you give love to.
In Summary…
Love has many different forms and expressions. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day in whatever way sounds good and makes sense for you and anyone you choose to include in your celebration. All that said, we’re wishing you a happy Valentine’s (Palentine’s, Self-Love, etc.) Day filled with love, fun, and good memories.