Surviving Valentine’s Day (whether single or married)

If you’re single, Valentine’s Day can be the toughest time of year. Growing up, I never had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day. Why did all the other girls get the (stupid) giant cards and (goofy) stuffed bears?

It’s easy to get negative. But I’ve been thinking about surviving Valentine’s Day if you’re single. You can’t simply ignore it. Retailers focus on it almost like Christmas.

Here’s what you can do if you find yourself single on Valentine’s Day:

• Make some cool treats and give them to your friends. Try to create a Valentine candy maze or a recycled sweater heart. These inexpensive gifts can brighten the day of others, and probably make you feel better too.

• If work is the problem, take the day off. No one really likes to hear their chatty co-workers talk about the great romantic evening they have planned. Spend the day doing things you love. Watch some favorite movies and buy a slice of nice tiramisu for dessert. (Ok, it’s my favorite dessert.)

Or, if you’re married or otherwise hooked up, Valentine’s Day can still be tough.

• Make your expectations known. This may sound silly, but your significant other isn’t a mind reader. If you’d really like to go out to a nice restaurant for the night, tell your squeeze! Otherwise, you may hold it in and be resentful.

• Ask your significant other what he most wants, but was afraid to ask for. You may be surprised and have fun!

What about me?

My days of being boyfriend-less on Valentine’s Day ended during the second semester of my senior year in college. On Valentine’s Day that year, I first kissed my husband. Two years later, we got married on Valentine’s Day. It happened to fall on a Saturday.

However… if you want live flowers at your wedding, pick another date. Florists are too busy to mess with weddings on Cupid’s day.

What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

(Image via stock.xchng)