Whether you like it or not, it’s coming. We call it February 14th, but to much of the coupled-off world, it’s Valentine’s Day. (Cue the groans.) From the diamond ring commercials to the romantic movie marathons taking over your daily programming, this year, forget about defending being single and spend the day doing something positive for yourself. Here are 35 fun activities to do if you're single on Valentine's Day that are way better than overpaying for a dozen roses anyway.
35 Fun Things to Do If You're Single on Valentine’s Day
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Published Feb 1, 2023
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1. Drink Wine
Buy a nice bottle of wine (or sign up for a wine subscription box) and enjoy every drop of it. Go back to the cheap stuff tomorrow.
2. Plan a Cooking Night
Virtually or in person, get a group of some friends together for a fun night of cooking, drinking and merrymaking. You can even create recipes tailor-made for two, just modify measurements appropriately. If you’re going to go the virtual route, meal delivery kits like Blue Apron or Home Chef make it easy for everyone to follow along the same recipe and get all the ingredients beforehand.
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3. Get Rid of Old Junk
Marie Kondo your house or apartment while blasting Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” on repeat. Ignore your married neighbors’ repeated requests to turn it down. In fact, turn it up.
4. Dance More
Do the same, but with TLC’s “No Scrubs,” Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," and Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent.”
5. Visit a Museum
Erase the memory of Johnny-what’s-his-face and spend the night with the likes of Georgia O’Keefe, Vincent Van Goh, Basquiat or whichever great artists are on display at your local museum. You can also take your adventures oversees with virtual tours of the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay.
6. Plan a Dream Vacation
Whether it’s 1000 thread count sheets in a fabulous hotel, pristine tropical waters or snowy peaks—vacations are the stuff of dreams. Take a one-night escape from the stress of the present by planning a travel adventure. How about one of these winter getaways or 25 life-changing trips to get you started?
7. Take a Stroll Around the Neighborhood
Begin to notice a theme and decide to get out of the house for a bit. Sure it's a little chilly out, but that's just an excuse to finally break out your new winter boots and Amazon coat.
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8. Go Down a TikTok Shopping Rabbit Hole
When you're done devouring PureWow's TikTok, take a look at some of our favorite hashtags like #amazonfinds #targetmusthaves and #beautyfinds, for unusual products. Not on the app? No problem. Check out these viral TikTok beauty products or these TikTok famous products you can nab from Amazon.
9. Start an Evening of Self Care
Don't shave your legs (because, duh), but do put on fluffy slippers, cozy sweatpants and apply all the skincare products you bought during the holidays.
10. Sign Up for a Subscription Box
Use the money you would’ve spent on a gift for your nonexistent S.O. to treat yourself to a subscription box you’ve been eyeing.
11. Cue the Rom-Com Movie Marathon
Hate-watch no fewer than seven romantic comedies. Halfway through reciting When Harry Met Sally line for line, accept that it’s not really hate-watching if you still tear up at the New Year’s Eve scene.
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12. Catch Up on Sleep
Oh my God, sleeeeeep. There's nothing like feeling well-rested. Plus, any excuse to stay in pajamas all day sounds good to us.
13. Rank Celebrity Crushes
Watch all the Oscar-nominated movies and rank them by attractiveness of their stars.
14. Babysit for a Family Member
Score major karma points by offering to babysit your nephew while mom and dad go out for their first romantic dinner alone in 23 months.
15. Bake a Dessert and Drop Off Extras to Your Neighbors
We won't judge if you want to keep all 24 cookies for yourself, but if you'd rather minimal leftovers, drop off sweets to your next-door neighbors as an act of kindness. Try baking one of these Valentine's Day cookie recipes or these Oreo-stuffed brownies.
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16. Volunteer Somewhere You're Passionate About
Offer your time to a local animal shelter and realize that a dog would make the best boyfriend.
17. Redecorate Your Place
Need a change of scenery? Make it happen without even changing locations. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been spending so much time in our homes the last two years that some of the cracks are showing (in the decor, that is). Whether it’s the living room or the bathroom, give your space a refresh and then show it off at your next dinner party.
18. Tour a National Park
If you’ve always wanted to explore the depths of the Grand Canyon, Alaska's stunning glaciers or the dramatic landscape of Sequoia National Park, now is the time to do it. The best part is you can load the itinerary with activities only you want to do.
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19. Have a Themed Takeout and Movie Night
It doesn’t sound revolutionary, but what if you get takeout from somewhere very special (like that fancy Italian restaurant around the corner) and pair it with a fitting film (like Il Postino)? Treat yourselves to an indulgent meal from a fine dining restaurant and pick a flick that goes with the theme.
20. Host a Game Night
Whether you go to your local pub for Tuesday night trivia or host one right in your living room, game night is guaranteed to bring on tons of laughter. Games such as Friends Trivia, Things They Don't Teach You in School or good ol’ Jeopardy! will have everyone on their feet, yelling at the top of their lungs in no time.
21. Start Learning a New Language
The benefits of this one are threefold. First, learning a new language stimulates your brain in a really healthy way (it’s a type of brain gym, which you can learn more about here). Second—and somewhat superficially—it’s cool and cultured to be able to speak more than one (or two or three) language. And third, it’s the perfect excuse to reward yourself with a trip to the country whose language you’re learning once you reach a certain level of fluency. Try Rosetta Stone or Duolingo.
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22. Don't Sweat It
Basically, forget about Valentine’s Day and go about your day as you normally would. Just think of all the half-price chocolate you can buy tomorrow.
23. Get a Plant
Give your home a fresh feel by bringing a new plant into the space. Varieties such as lady palms and fiddle leaves make for great indoor trees, while jade plants and succulents don’t take up as much space and can live through the winter.
24. Shop all the Sales
Feel free to take advantage of all the Valentine’s Day lingerie, sex toy and jewelry sales going on because you’re worth it.
25. Bake a Cake
Because that romcom binge-a-thon is not complete without a decadent chocolate or red velvet cake in your lap.
26. Host a Boozy Brunch
It’s super cliché, sure. But you can’t deny the glee that comes with bottomless mimosas.
27. Treat Yourself to a Night Out
Start with dinner at your favorite restaurant, then a movie or play, and cap it off with a yummy dessert from a nearby café.
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28. Create a Vision Board
It’s never too late to manifest those new year goals, so cue up your favorite playlist, gather some old magazines and finally create your vision board.
29. Pet Sit
Volunteer to pet sit for a friend or family member and spend the night bonding with your four-legged cousin. Besides, dogs are better than people, can we all agree?
30. Complete a 24-Hour Social Media Detox
Whether you’re recovering from a recent breakup or you’re reveling in being single, social media can be, in a word, grating, on Valentine’s Day (or any other day, really.) So take a breather from the ‘Gram and give your mind some space to be OK not knowing what everyone you know it up to.
31. Give Yourself a Manicure
Pull out your nail polish collection, queue up your favorite Netflix show, and while away the evening painting your nails. Binge watching a whole season guarantees your nails will have plenty of time to dry. (After that, pull out the popcorn.)
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32. Take Yourself to the Spa
Sure, an at-home mani is fun, but if you want a little extra pampering, book yourself a spa appointment. Facials, pedicures, massages and a dip in the sauna? Nothing beats a little quality you-time. But if you'd rather DIY it, be sure to stock up on some quality face masks and essential oils.
33. Cozy Up with a Good Book
Turns out, you do have a Valentine's Day date: A great read, fuzzy blanket, hot beverage of choice and yourself, all curled up next to the fireplace on a cold February night.
34. Write Yourself Some Love Notes
When's the last time you gave yourself a compliment? So often, we fall into a cycle of self-criticism. Spend a little time writing yourself a love note. Nothing cheesy—really think about it. Challenge yourself to write five (or even 10) meaningful things you appreciate about yourself.
35. Host a Cookie Decorating Party
Bake up a batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies and spend the afternoon decorating them with cute (and corny) messages.
