Valentine’s day is for lovers and when you do not have one it can be sad. If it is your first Valentine’s day solo, you could sulk, feel depressed or cry all day or you could try something new.
There are many things not to do. Buying roses, which are probably double the price is a no. Going out to eat is also not a good option since you will be surrounded by couples. However, there are many great things you could do.
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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With the Kids
1. If you have your kids for the night you can do something special like make brownies (go ahead use a mix) the house smells fabulous. Make hot fudge brownie Sundays for dessert.
2. Make a homemade heart-shaped pizza.
3. Make it a family game night.
4. Take the kids sledding and have hot chocolate when you get home. You could spike yours with some peppermint schnapps or not.
5. Get everybody into their pajamas early and have a family movie night.
Celebrate With your Single Friends
6. Get together and make a meal your X would detest.
7. Have a potluck dinner everybody bring their favorite appetizer or just buy the processed stuff and heat it up. You can do this as a girls only thing or have moms and kids.
8. Go ice fishing with the gals. Bring good wine or not. Here in northern Minnesota there are virtual small towns out on the ice this time of year. If you don’t know anyone with an ice house, you can rent them and I am guessing Valentines night will be an off night.
9. Go x-country skiing or snow shoeing. We have a lighted trail on the edge of town, check to see if there is a lighted trail near you or if you are lucky enough to live near warm weather an evening walk in a well lit safe part of town thinking about those of us in the frozen north may lift your spirits.
10. Take an aerial arts class (aerial hoop, pole, or silks). These are unbelievable fun and if you have not tried it you owe it to yourself . If you want to see what it is like search for it on You Tube.
Alone on Valentine’s Day
11. Aerial arts is still a great option and you might make a new friend. Yes this is my current preferred fitness. And FYI, if I can do it so can you.
12. Buy a good book and enjoy starting it. Books are one of my favorite ways to be transported into a different world. See below for some of my favorites.
13. Enjoy a night of Netflix, watch something your ex-husband would have hated.
14. Schedule a massage and pamper yourself.
15. Schedule a manicure or pedicure.
16. Buy yourself a gift like some expensive chocolate, the kind you only buy for as a gift for someone else.
17. Call your Mom or a single friend from out of town.
18. Go to the nursing home and visit a couple of people who are alone. Reminisce with them about their life.
19. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter and be grateful for all you have.
It is all about attitude. I know it may seem like you are the only single person left, but you are not. There are always people who are better off than you, but there are also folks who have it worse than you do. Remember it is wonderful to be a great relationship, but no relationship is much better than an unhealthy relationship.
If you can’t shake the sadness and need professional help BetterHelp is a great resource for therapy. BetterHelp provides professional online counseling anywhere, anytime. They will match you with therapists you can connect with through video, text, or email.
Hi, I’m Tamara the creator of Empowered Single Moms, a single mom, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and the author of Thriving a Single Mom’s Guide to a Happy, Positive Life and Thriving a Single Mom Journal. I have a solo private psychotherapy practice where I treat anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
As a member of the Empowered Single Moms community, I believe you can stop carrying the weight of the world alone and build a life you love. Join my mailing list and get 5 Keys to Single Mom Success.
Haralee
Great ideas. Since 7th grade I have not been a fan of Valentine’s day. Too much pressure, too much hype. Your ideas are great for anyone in a relationship or not!
parenting2homekids.com
Thanks, Haralee, I am glad you enjoyed them.
Rena McDaniel
A great list! I’m married, but my husband and I do it differently than most. We do things for each other rather than buy things. I might get all of my floors scrubbed and he usually gets a special meal. It works for us!
parenting2homekids.com
Rene, That is what counts is what works for the 2 of you. I think getting the floors scrubbed would be a great gift.