Single on Valentine’s Day? That Might Not Be Such a Bad Thing.
By Tomas Schetzel
Valentine’s Day is here everybody! Time to buy chocolate, cards and especially flowers for that special someone in your life!
Oh, wait. You’re single? You don’t have anyone to give those outrageously overpriced chocolate and flowers, even if you did buy them? Well don’t worry too much, you’re not the only one!
To give an idea of how much you’re not missing, the average person spends $136.57 on Valentine’s Day according to the National Retail Federation. In 2017, $4.3 billion was spent on gold and diamonds, 224 million roses were cut, and Hallmark sold 131 million cards. In total, Americans spent about $18.2 billion on their valentines last year.
Depending on who you ask, that may not be the best way to spend your cash.
Jacob Morphonios had a very blunt opinion when he was asked about Valentine’s Day. “Valentine’s Day is like birthdays to me, I just don’t see the point. Like whoop-dee-doo you didn’t die this year!”
Another student, Ian Ellis, agreed. “How is February 14 any different for single or non-single people than any other day? My feeling is that [Valentine’s Day] doesn’t matter and that if you are dating someone who only does special stuff for you on [Valentine’s Day], you need to find someone else.”
Rachel Rust had a more moderate perspective. When she was growing up her dad would buy flowers not only for her mom, but for all the girls in the family.
“I feel like [Valentine’s Day] should be more special, but I honestly don’t feel like it’s very special. It can be an extra excuse to do something nice, but it shouldn’t be the biggest day for the couple,” she said.
So what are singles to do on Valentine’s Day (besides eat ice cream and cry)?
For the ladies, there is always a good old fashioned Galentine’s Day. Just take a page out of Leslie Knope’s book and get the group together for an evening of gift giving, good food and good friends.
“Being involved in school stuff and hobbies are what help single people around Valentine’s Day,” Ellis suggested.
Other ideas could include a movie night featuring your celebrity crush, an anti-valentine’s day party, or going for a night out with your best single friends.
Everybody knows at least one couple who doesn’t get to go out because of their kids. Why not make the night special for them and offer to babysit?
Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to hurt. In fact, it can be one of the most fun days of the year.
