Valentine’s Day Is Not Just For Couples

Each year the dreaded holiday arrives in the middle of February, which is not-so-ironically one of the coldest, darkest months on the calendar.  Happy couples pop out of the woodwork like demented Siamese twin jack-in-the-boxes.  Flowers, hearts and chocolates serve as a reminder of happier times.  You collect pitiful stares from doting restaurant hostesses as you are seated at your “table for one.”  That’s right.  You’re single again on Valentine’s Day.

But what seems like cruel and unusual punishment could be a blessing in disguise.  Because you are not in a relationship on Valentine’s Day, you have more time in your schedule, more energy for activities and less expectations of the holiday.  While I’ve had my plus-one “days in the sun,” I have spent my share of solitary V-Days and I feel more than qualified to share some different ways to spend the day/evening.  Don’t worry, if you’re part of a couple, you can enjoy most of these activities too.  Without further ado, I give you:

Fun Things to do in the Magic City on Valentine’s Day

• Get lost in the shelves at Barjon’s Books, A Few Books More, Barnes & Noble, Hastings or one of the other quaint used bookstores around town.
• Purchase some stone-ground Mexican chocolate from The Good Earth market and break off hunks of it to get a friend addicted to this surprisingly awesome treat!
• Meet a colleague at Off the Leaf, City Brew or Boston Harbor for a cup of tea or coffee and catch up on all the office gossip.
• Take in one of the numerous Oscar-nominated flicks at Carmike Shiloh 14 or Wynnsong 10.  Or if you’re feeling particularly brave, bring a packet of Kleenex and see “The Vow” with all the blissful couples holding hands on the armrests and sharing $22 concession combos.
• Spend a leisurely day at Rimrock Mall, picking out sexy lingerie, jewelry, perfume/cologne or a gift for the #1 in your life:  YOU!
• Check out the new movie, music and video game releases at Best Buy (since it’s a Tuesday and all).
• Take the canine love(s) of your life to the High Sierra Dog Park for a romp.
• Grab a solo-to-go sweet cupcake treat at either Jayne’s Signature Sweets on Grand or the new Tipsy Cupcake store at Shiloh Crossing.
• Burn off your frustration at a local gym, a yoga studio, the climbing wall or one of the bowling alleys.
• Treat yourself to a massage at a local spa (Sanctuary, Sage, Transformation, etc.).
• Host a singleton game night at your bachelor(ette) pad.  My personal recommendations for maximum fun are:  Spontuneous, The Game of Things and Scattergories.
• Hit up Hastings, a Red Box or Video OnDemand and watch a tragic-ended love movie like 500 Days of Summer or have a laugh fest with a movie like Bridesmaids.
• Try the 10 for $10 gourmet Jell-O and pudding shots at Bottles ‘n Shots.  Don’t forget the D.D., Tipsy Trolley or taxi service!
• Get off your duff and bust a move with a JustDance video game.  For extra giggles, record your friends and post it on your YouTube channel.
• Plan a St. Patty’s Day flash mob.

To close, I’d like to quote David Ives, playwright of “The Philadelphia” by saying unto you: “Go and God bless and may your dating pool be Olympic-sized.”  But if you’re ridin’ solo this year, remember to enjoy your freedom and fun.  And truly never forget that there are much less fortunate backdrops than Billings to be spending February 14th.

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