A Dozen Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day If You're Not Part of
a Couple
When we think of Valentine's Day, we tend to think of two lovers
celebrating together. If you aren't paired at this time, don't
let yourself get left out! Here are 14 great ways to celebrate
Valentine's Day YOUR way.
1. Celebrate with a child!
If you don't have one, borrow one! Invite your niece over for an
afternoon of tea with tiaras and tutus, making Valentines, and
reading Valentine's books. Got a boy in your life? How about
some Uno, slap-jack or Pente, video games and a candle-lit
dinner with fondue - to keep those hands busy! Nice red catsup
is good enough for the sauce!
2. Give a party at a children's shelter.
The Volunteer Director is trained to help you! Simple
refreshments, favors, plan a game, tie-dye t-shirts, crafts,
play the piano and sing. It's the thought and the companionship
that count. Games? Play musical chairs, tying big red bows to
the front of the chairs. Pin the Lips on Ms. Valentine - draw
"her" on posterboard - use moving eyes, false eyelashes and pipe
cleaners for hair. Put each kid's name on a pair of red lips cut
out of construction paper with tape on back. Blindfold them with
a Valentine scarf and proceed! Valentine Bingo - make bingo
cards with February-theme items: groundhogs, Presidents Lincoln
and Washington, candy, hearts, doves, lovers, Valentines, etc.
Serve "Love Potion" for the beverage (Hawaiian punch would work).
3. Make it a special day for someone in a retirement or nursing
home.
Put on that bright red sweater and your Valentine tie, scarf, or
suspenders (http://store.yahoo.com/tiebar2/valentineday.html )
and head on over! You will be SO WELCOME. Bring along some
homemade Ultimate Killer Cookie of All Time
(http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/dessert/cookies/ultcookie.h
tml ). 'All My Lovin'" and other Valentine's braces available
here: http://www.rainbowconnection.com/index.php/cPath/22_71 .
4. Have friends of all ages over for a Valentine's Party.
Sing love songs, watch a video, make an outrageously beautiful
buffet spread. Have everyone bring a grab bag gift. Have a
poetry contest. Here's a list of Romantic songs:
http://www.inspirationpoint.com/ipmusic.htm . Buy some new CDs
here, very affordable:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/100.jsp?AID=10277616&PID=1814
374 .
Or make it a Romantic Opera Night for special friends and
aficionados. German or Italian, make a fitting buffet. Obvious
selections would be Wagner's "Tristran and Isolde," or Puccini's
"Turandot" or "Madame Butterfly." If you're longing for love,
you can't match Isolde, so it gets it all in perspective.
5. Call up your son and daughter-in-law and tell them you're
coming for the weekend to take care of the kids so they can go
celebrate.
Pack the parents off, and then bake Valentine's cookies with the
kids and have a red dinner - red jello hearts, heart-shaped
pasta with tomato sauce or heart-shaped pizza, Hawaiian punch
and cinnamon hearts in hot cocoa. "Willie Wonka" video, everyone
gets in the big bed with Nana, snuggle-time, dogs included. Woo
hoo!
6. Celebrate with your animal companion.
There's no more reliable source of love in our lives. Bake some
homemade dog biscuits ( http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/bone.htm )
. Take your dog for a special outing, and on the way, drop off
your treats at the local animal shelter. Or take your animal
companion with you to a nursing home or convalescent center.
Many facilities are making this opportunity available for their
guests. You can deck your dog, cat, ferret or rabbit in a
festive Valentine scarf -
http://www.pet-bandanas.com/valentines-bandanas.htm - for the
occasion. Valentine's sweaters, vests, ties, bows, boas! And
anything else you need for your little furry friend -
http://www.cosettescloset.com/valwear.html .
7. Enjoy the day helping others.
A local place of worship might be building a house for Habitat
or going Valentine caroling at a housing project. If not, why
not? If not you, who? Organize something with your civic group,
singles group or Sunday School class. If the New York Giants can
do it, so can you. They visited patients in Children's Hospital
of New York-Presbyterian on Valentine's Day.
8. Book a Valentine cruise on the Costa cruise line and dance
the nights away.
Be a gentleman host, or dance with one! Gentlemen dance hosts
"work" from 8 pm to 1 am every night, visiting with and dancing
with women cruise guests. Great vacation for singles! Gentleman,
don't forget your red cummerbund and bowtie
(http://store.yahoo.com/tiebar2/solcolcumbow.html ).
9. Girls' Day Valentine Brunch.
Go for massages first (try one of those chains w/ a first-time
special), then congregate at your house for brunch. Make
pancakes and fried eggs shaped like hearts, serve with
strawberry or raspberry syrup, fresh strawberries, some nice
crisp bacon, strawberry daiquiris and nice hot tea. Yum! Set a
terminally romantic buffet table and fill the DR ceiling with
pink and/or red helium balloons. Play some Andrea Bocelli in the
background. We recommend the "Romanza" CD. Bravo!
10. Check for special events in your town, or get away for the
weekend. Bath House Center in Dallas, Texas, has an annual
February exhibit called "El Corazon," - interpretations of the
human heat by 50 Texas artists. The Detroit Symphony has Chris
Botti Valentine, the heart-topping trumpet player who opened for
Sting's "Sacred Love" tour. He performs selections from his hit
recording When I Fall In Love.
(http://www.detroitsymphony.com/main.taf?erube_fh=dso&dso.submit.
viewHomePage=1 ). The Plano (Tx.) Symphony Orchestra will
celebrate Valentine's Day with the Letterman ("Can't Take My
Eyes Off of You," and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder") . Their
style is humorous and interactive. Optional dinner prior, and
reception following. At the Chicago Lyric Opera? Rigoletto, with
Bella Figlia dell'Amore ... what could be better?
11. Try something zany. The Embassy Suites, Richmond, Va. offers
the King's Dominion Package - 2-room suite, breakfast,
reception, indoor pool and Jacuzzi and 2 adult tickets to go
ride that roller coaster! There's more than one way to 'lose
your heart' on Valentine's Day.
Or check out the Winter-storm adventure Ancient Cedars Spa,
Vancouver Island at the Wickannish Inn, situated on a rocky
promontory at the gateway to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
(http://www.wickinn.com/Frames/HPfrm.htm ). Watch 20' waves
pounding the coast from your room with ocean view, deep soaker
tub, fireplace, spa, and epicurean dining. Slickers provided.
Bring along some friends, your pet, and/or a good book!
12. Feed your heart and your love of learning! Curl up with a
good book. Read a super sappy and sentimental romance, or read
about love itself. "A General Theory of Love" is written by
three doctors, one of whom writes like a poet (
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375709223/susandunnmome-2
0 ).
There are so many ways to make this a special time. Love
yourself and make it a great holiday!