I hadn't thought much about celebrating Valentine's Day until Kendal Perez sent me this list of fun stuff to do, no romantic partner needed.
1. Host a Girl's Night In
A popular alternative
to kissy-kissy couples on Valentine's Day is a crowd of rowdy girls
proudly and publicly declaring their singlehood. While there's certainly
nothing wrong with this, hosting a girl's night in is financially
friendlier and will result in fewer cringe-worthy photos on Facebook.
Create a theme -- like wine or champagne-tasting -- to make the evening
more special, and ask friends to bring their favorite bottle of bubbly
to cut hostess costs.
2. Try Something New
Skip the Jane Austen movie-marathon in favor of something a little outside your comfort zone. Peruse Groupon and LivingSocial
for daily deals on activities you've been dying to try. Whether it's a
Thai cooking class or glass-blowing workshop, challenging yourself at a
new skill will be far more productive than watching Elizabeth and Mr.
Darcy duke it out yet again.
3. Paint 'n Sip
One of the biggest trends to hit
the United States since fondue, "paint 'n sip" represents a fun and
relatively inexpensive way to spend an evening. Get your fellow
singletons together for a little canvas time, with a dash of liquid
courage to help you make the first brush stroke. These events are
designed to be relaxed and unintimidating, so don't worry if you
artistic masterpiece is more Pollock than Picasso.
4. Volunteer
If you find yourself wallowing in
self-pity come Feb. 14, consider brightening someone else's day to
improve your mood. Soup kitchens, nursery homes and other establishments
welcome volunteers to assist in everyday operations or simply visit
with patrons. You'll likely find the experience much more rewarding than
an overpriced dinner-for-two. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for current opportunities in your community.
5. Indulge in Some Retail Therapy
A little
retail therapy can go a long way, but that doesn't mean your credit card
balance has to suffer. In addition to coupons and clearance racks, you
can buy online gift cards at a discount through GiftCardGranny.com
to save some cash. E-cards are delivered within 24 hours and can save
you up to 10 percent for both online and in-store purchases to places
like DSW, Express and Anthropologie.
6. Pamper Yourself
Schedule a mani-pedi. Drop by
your local studio for some candlelight yoga. Curl up with your favorite
bestseller and a glass of red wine. As cheesy as it may sound, the most
important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself.
So go ahead: blast Beyoncé and celebrate all the reasons you love being
you.
7. Disregard It
As you listen to your hitched
buds swoon about their romantic Valentine's Day plans, keep in mind
their significant others are likely cursing the corporations responsible
for this made-up holiday. My husband's disgust for the event is so
strong he refuses to acknowledge it by name; instead, I wake up to
"Happy Hallmark Holiday!" along with an ironically non-Hallmark card. Ultimately, it's best not to dwell on other people's plans and focus on making yours unforgettable.
Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget. For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.
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