Great Ideas For Celebrating Valentine’s Day, Whether Or Not You’re In Love

When you think of Valentine’s Day, typically your thoughts venture toward valentine gifts and all things heart-shaped – candies, chocolate, balloons, greeting cards, jewelry, etc. – and couples deeply in love gazing into each other’s eyes.

Because Valentine’s Day is for lovers, right?

Actually – no. Ladies, there is joy to be had on this infamous day of pink and red, no matter your “couples’ status.” Here are some fun ideas for the annual day of love that cover the spectrum of companionship: single, dating, committed relationship, or recent break-up.

If You’re Single .. .

Don’t allow yourself to be one of the cynical singles who scowl at any hint of Valentine’s Day decorations or gifts. Instead: embrace the day!

That’s right. We’re in the new millennium, a time when being single is fabulous. Sex & the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made being single more appealing than ever before. You don’t have to wait for a significant other to get you a gift – buy it yourself! Few things make a girls’ heart flutter more than Valentine’s Day jewelry. From a modest bracelet to a diamond ring one of the joys of being single is you can give yourself the gift you’d be giving your significant other.

And there are ways to enjoy the day other than buying yourself a gift. Remember when Carrie threw herself a party after years of buying gifts for her friends’ wedding and baby showers? Transfer that idea to Valentine’s Day, and have a blast:

• Host a party for just you and the girls

• Take yourself out on a date, by yourself, to a museum, the movies, dinner or any combination of the three

• Buy Valentine’s Day cards and pass them out to people who are dear to you

• Help make someone else’s Valentine’s Day better by volunteering at a non-profit or charity for the day, such as a battered women’s shelter, a soup kitchen or the Goodwill.

If You’re Dating .. .

You’ve been dating a guy, but you’re not yet exclusive, and you don’t know if he plans on spending the evening with you, another girl, or the guys. First ask yourself: Do I really want to spend Valentine’s Day with him?

It is, after all the most romantic day of the year.

If the answer is yes, this can be an opportunity to take the relationship a step further by:

• Cooking him a nice dinner at your place

• Offering to bring dinner to him at his place

• Setting up a double date with friends (so you can get their feedback on your new beau later)

• Asking him to set up a double date with some of his friends (you can learn a lot about a guy by spending time with his friends)

If you’re flying solo on the big day, you can live the day as a single gal (see the Single subheading above for ideas).

If You’re in a Committed Relationship .. .

Whether you’ve just moved in together, he just popped the question with a diamond engagement ring, you’re newlyweds or you’ve been together for a number of years, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to specifically set aside time for your relationship.

So take advantage of it!

You can start the day with an exchange of gifts. For ideas, keep in mind that Valentine’s Day jewelry, chocolates, and flowers are traditional gifts for a reason – there are few who would protest these types of gifts. But rather than going to the place where you spent Valentine’s Day last year, or where you spend the day every year, be spontaneous and mix things up a bit.

Knowing your significant other’s interests, tailor a surprise event to both of your liking such as:

• A couple’s massage

• Something fun and silly like playing Laser Tag or going to the video arcade to compete in video games

• Something crazy that you’ve never done before but the two of you have always wanted to do, like bungee jumping or hang gliding

• Take a hot air balloon ride

• Pop the question - there’s no better surprise for Valentine’s Day than receiving an engagement ring

Planning a Valentine’s Day different from what you’ve experienced before will give you something to feel good about, give your beloved something to brag about, rekindle the spark or keep the spark going.

If You’ve Just Been Through a Break-Up .. . \

When you’ve just dumped someone or you’ve just been dumped, as a newly-single, the explosion of pink and red that define Valentine’s Day can leave you depressed, craving romance and longing for your ex.

You just need a little extra TLC. Here’s a few ideas to really take good care of you on this special day:

• A day at the spa – get the most luxurious package that you can afford, and absolutely enjoy spoiling yourself

• Retail therapy – doing a little damage to the credit card never hurt anybody, and Valentine’s Day jewelry may be the perfect pick-me-up

• Unconditional love – Spending the day with someone you love and who unconditionally loves you – a manicure with your grandma, grabbing lunch with your dad, or catching a matinee with your mom – may be just what you need

There’s something for everyone on Valentine’s Day. Just look at the annual celebration of love as an excuse to celebrate life, and you are sure to find something fun and enjoyable to do. Enjoying the most romantic day of the year can be achieved – with or without a valentine.