Celebrate Love for Yourself, Friends, Family & Others

Don’t presume you have to be anti-Valentine’s Day just because you’re single.

Not only can you survive Valentine’s Day when you’re single, you can thrive, too. Shift the focus from romantic love and make it a day to celebrate love in all aspects of your life.

Plan to be pleasantly surprised with how good you can feel when you do something for others or yourself — without a plus one.

Here are our Valentine’s Day ideas for both single men and women to help get you inspired sans red roses and dessert for two.

1. Indulge Yourself

• Pamper yourself. Have a massage or any spa treatment to help you feel rejuvenated. Grab your best gal pals or go it alone; either way, you’ll look and feel fabulous.
• Treat yourself to your favourite anything. A dessert, product, item of clothing, anything that makes you feel great about yourself.

2. Visit Family

• Spending time with your parents, grandparents, siblings or relatives is a wonderful way to express your love to the most important people in your life.
• Write them a heartfelt, handwritten note or poem; offer to make them dinner or lunch, or do an activity together of their choice.
• Offer to babysit your niece/nephew.

3. Volunteer

• Share your time and offer your services to a shelter (woman’s, homeless, animal), food bank or any charitable cause.
• Bake some Valentine cookies and take them to a senior’s care home; stay and visit, play a board game.
• Giving back to your community can help boost your spirits while helping others in need.

4. Get In The Party Mood

• Throw a Valentine’s Day singles party for your friends (men & women) or go to a singles mixer event together.
• Mingle with singles everywhere from wine tastings, beer tastings and karaoke to a singles dance.
• Watch sporting events at your favourite bar or pub.

5. Have A Fling With Adventure

• Step out of your comfort zone and raise your adrenaline quotient. Try something to challenge yourself or conquer a fear.
• Bring your own blades or rent a pair at Robson Square outdoor skating rink; snowboard, snowshoe or ski at one of the local mountains (check out night skiing).
• Sign up for skydiving, ziplining or bungee jumping; challenge your vertical tolerance at Capilano Suspension Bridge or the Cliffwalk.
• It’s a great opportunity to cross something off your bucket list.

6. Random Acts Of Kindness

• Make someone else’s day by doing something to make them feel special; you’ll feel just as good!
• Buy coffee for the person behind you in line at your local café.
• Do an errand for someone without a vehicle.
• Purchase a hot meal for a homeless person.
• Feed someone’s parking meter that’s about to expire.

7. Take Up A Hobby Or Try Something New

• Sign up for a cooking or dance class, skiing or music lessons.
• Join a new group or club.
• Try something relaxing like meditation or yoga.
• Make a plan to get out of your comfort zone and sign up for anything new.

Tired of being single? Want a date for next Valentines day? Maybe it’s time to test out the services of a matchmaker Vancouver.