Written by Debra Beck

How does Valentine’s Day feel to you? Is it a day you look forward to because you and your partner participate in this day to make it so very special for each other, or is it a day that makes you feel like an outcast because you don’t have a partner? I have been on both sides of the situation and it does feel strange to have a day devoted to relationships when you are not in one.

It is wonderful to be the one giving chocolates, flowers or setting up a special night, and it is as great to be the one receiving these intimate gifts, as well. So why do we have to be in a conventional relationship to feel like we can participate in the fun of Valentine’s? We don’t!

I remember being single and having Valentine’s Day roll around and feeling a bit odd and disconnected until I decided that I was going to give some of my close friends a Valentine’s card, a flower and or have them over for dinner. There are so many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day without it looking like the traditional day of boyfriend gets roses for girlfriend, girlfriend makes dinner for boyfriend and girlfriend and boyfriend cuddle next to the fire.

Here are some ideas for you if you are single and want to enjoy the Valentine’s Day celebration. Let’s let our minds go wild- it can be anything we want it to be.

• Drop off a Valentine’s card to friends from an admirer, don’t let them know it was you, make their day
• Send flowers to them, from an admirer
• Host a party for friends you love and want to be your Valentine
• Host a themed party for friends, including couples
• Take flowers to a special friend, telling them you care about them
• Utilize this day to make the people in your life feel loved by you
• Get your friends together and do something fun- dinner and play games?
• Do something special for yourself, buy yourself something you have always wanted, take a wonderful bath or buy yourself flowers

Holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to tell the people in our lives that we love them. Any day is a good day for expressing our love for our loved ones. Have you noticed how wonderful you feel when you do something that makes someone else feel so good? Check out how they act when they receive a card, flowers or anything special on this day. In giving them a gift, seeing how excited they are is really a gift for you.

So use this Valentine’s Day to step out of the box and put yourself out there to the people you love, even if you have a partner.

Debra Beck, Author of My Feet Aren’t Ugly, A girl’s guide to loving herself from the inside out.

Tags: affection, date night, February 14, holidays, holidays for singles, love, newly single, partner, relationships, valentine's day