Valentine’s Day is one of those love it or hate it type of deals. Like bucket bags, cilantro, and Gilmore Girls, it’s a topic about which nearly everyone under the sun has an opinion—and a strong one, too.
Personally, I love it. Yes, I’m a single gal, and I absolutely love Valentine’s Day.
And no, I’m not talking about Galentine’s Day, either (but S/O to Amy Poehler and the Parks and Recreation team for inventing that one), I mean none other than the one and only February 14, the day when love songs play nonstop on the radio and chocolate-filled hearts fly from drugstore shelves. Since I was a kid, I’ve been a little in love with Valentine’s Day and all it entails. Maybe it was because of the school parties and the chance to choose a new set of cards to gift my classmates (I always picked Harry Potter or Lizzie McGuire cards, tbh). It could’ve had something to do with the fact that the holiday prominently features red, my favorite color. Whatever it was, I’ve been hooked on Valentine’s Day since approximately age 10, and I haven’t let it go since.
Admittedly, times have changed since my 10-year-old days. Now that I’m in my late 20s, I recognize that Valentine’s Day is much more about couples and commercialization than it is about love or friendship or any of those warm feelings that sold me in elementary school, yet I still ship the holiday with all my heart, and here’s why:
It’s not every day that I slow down and really appreciate just how awesome I am—and that’s something I’m happy to do every single year, just for me.
I love a good theme, and Valentine’s Day is no exception.
On the big day, I rock as much red or heart-themed apparel as I can (stylishly, of course). I have a huge pair of bronze heart earrings that I adore, so I usually try to work those into the equation. In years past, I’ve played up the romance with a red high-low skirt and kept it sweet with a lacy pink dress. When Feb. 14 falls in the midst of the workweek, I still make sure the colors of love feature prominently into my outfit, perhaps in the form of a red blouse with cigarette pants or a smart pink dress paired with a boyfriend blazer.
As far as makeup goes, I keep the hues equally rosy. Pinks are my signature on Valentine’s Day, and I often blend a few of the shadows in the Urban Decay Naked3 palette to go with whatever shade of mauve is currently on my lips (likely Maybelline’s SuperStay Ink Crayon in Stay Exceptional, which lasts forever).
Source: The Girl and the Kitchen
I bake for friends.
After the #healthyJanuary and #newyearnewyou hype dies down, February can feel like the doldrums of winter. To make the midpoint of the month just a little sweeter, I love surprising my friends with Valentine’s Day-themed baked treats. Regardless of whether they’re single or in relationships, my ride-or-die squad gets homemade sweets from yours truly. For me, baking on Valentine’s Day is an easy, affordable way to thank my friends for being awesome and do my part to make their day just a little bit better. As a bonus, since baking is a major creative outlet for me, this is kind of a self-care win as well.
In the past, I’ve whipped up dark chocolate raspberry coffee cake, peanut butter cupcakes, and ultra-fudgy brownies. This year, I have my heart set on cookies and think these browned butter sugar cookie bars would be the perfect, portable sweet when tucked into little bags tied with sparkly red ribbon.
I’m a single gal, and I absolutely love Valentine’s Day. And no, I’m not talking about Galentine’s Day, either (but S/O to Amy Poehler and the Parks and Recreation team for inventing that one), I mean none other than the one and only February 14, the day when love songs play nonstop on the radio and chocolate-filled hearts fly from drugstore shelves.
I plan a special meal for myself.
As a self-proclaimed foodie, I can’t let Valentine’s Day go by without planning some sort of special meal for myself. Depending on the year, this could mean a dinner out or an elegant setup at home. Admittedly, planning a meal out isn’t for everyone. If you don’t love the thought of venturing into a restaurant filled with couples, this probably isn’t the best option for you. That being said, I promise it isn’t as bad as you might think.
One of my favorite Valentine’s Day dinners was in college when another single friend and I booked a table at an Indian restaurant. Neither of us had anything to do and all our other friends were in relationships at the time, so we decided to make a reservation at a place we’d been meaning to try. We ended up savoring an incredible three-course meal that we still talk about to this day.
On the other hand, sometimes there’s nothing better than opting for a low-key Valentine’s Day dinner at home. If you’re just cooking for yourself, it’s the perfect occasion to indulge in an over-the-top meal. Speaking from past experience, lobster tails are single-serve and surprisingly easy to prepare (pro tip: bake them). For a more budget-friendly option, a bag of Trader Joe’s gnocchi and a single-serve chocolate lava cake sound like heaven (and very possibly are what I’ll cook for myself this year).
Source: Alena Ozerova | Shutterstock
I practice self-care
Self-care is an omnipresent notion nowadays, and for good reason. With schedules that move a million miles a minute, we could all use a little more “me time” to stop and take a breath. And what better day to do just that than Valentine’s Day? On a holiday that’s all about love, there’s no time like the present to treat yourself to a little TLC. Personally, I like taking the DIY route with my self-care routine. After baking for friends and sitting down to a delicious homemade dinner—both of which are part of my treat yo’self ritual, since they get me in the kitchen and help me de-stress—I dive into full-on spa mode. With a little music in the background (I’m currently loving everything on Selena Gomez’s new album) and a candle to set the mood, I start by slathering on a face mask and unwinding in an Epsom salt-filled bath. From there, it’s onto a hair mask and a manicure—with red polish, of course.
Bathroom routine complete, I slip on the coziest pajamas I own and turn on the kettle for a cup of tea. I love a good ginger tea at night; not only does it settle my stomach, but it also puts me right to sleep. Mug of tea in hand, I’m off to flip through a few chapters of whatever page-turner I’m reading. I know I’m late to the game on this one, but I recently finished Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and I can’t recommend it enough. If you love magic, romance, and incredible plot lines, you won’t be able to put it down.
On a holiday that’s all about love, there’s no time like the present to treat yourself to a little TLC.
Source: Element5 Digital | Unsplash
I get a little cheesy
If there’s any time to get a little cheesy, it has to be Valentine’s Day. While I confess to loving a good Hallmark movie any time of year, Valentine’s Day is when I dive headfirst into every lighthearted romance I can find. Yes, they’re predictable. Yes, they’re unrealistic (Meet-cute in a bake-off? Sure, why not?). I love ‘em anyway. Depending on my mood, standbys include The First Time, The Holiday, and Maid in Manhattan. Of course, literally anything on Hallmark works, too.
Want to up the cheese factor? *Raises hand* Why not go just a little over-the-top and treat yourself to a fresh bouquet of flowers or a gorgeous new candle to burn at home? I rarely get myself pretty little extras during the year, instead preferring to indulge on truly noteworthy occasions. In my book, Valentine’s Day is definitely one of those times. After all, it’s not every day that I slow down and really appreciate just how awesome I am—and that’s something I’m happy to do every single year, just for me.
