Valentines Isn't Only For Couples

I’m the kind of person who believes that even if you’re in a relationship, spending time with your gal pals or guy friends (not boyfriends—that always gets misinterpreted, ha!) is just as important. Since I love making my hangouts more of an experience, I’m always getting asked for ideas. So, here are some fun ways to celebrate love in all its forms this February!

Make It a Tasty Affair

DIY Wine or Cocktail Tasting – Gather some friends and create your own mini tasting event at home! I absolutely love hosting and I’ve truly found joy in it. Since moving to Illinois, I’ve made it a point to gather my friends and family (whenever they’re in town), and create an experience at home. This was such a fun and creative one!
Make Heart-Shaped Pizzas – Because love (and carbs) should be shared! My first time making heart shaped pizzas and they were a hit. It was a very fun girls night in for galentines.
Learn a New Recipe – Cooking together is always a blast. Make a mess in your kitchen, said no one ever. While I’m not much of a cook, Tyler is! I love cooking together more than solo. It makes it for a fun date night too. Although, through the years, we’ve learned to appreciate what our family likes to eat and cook dishes around the world to learn more cuisines.
Pick a Fruit & Get Creative – Challenge yourself to create 3-4 different dishes with one fruit. I picked mangoes (not my dog, Mango—actual mangoes!). It honestly worked out so nicely because my family LOVES all things mangoes. So maybe it was more of a bribe to get them to help me create different dishes and then they ate them… ha!

Spread Love & Positivity

Petal It Forward – Buy flowers from a local shop and pass them out to strangers. A small gesture can brighten someone’s day! I did this in school and absolutely loved the concept. It was a way to share joy while creating it. I truly learned that ‘everyone smiles in the same language.’ One of my favorite mottos to this day!
Write Love Notes… to Yourself! – Leave handwritten affirmations on your mirror or write a heartfelt love letter to yourself. But also recite them out loud and believe them.
Treat Yourself – Whether it’s a spa day, a shopping spree, or your favorite meal, show yourself some love! I also love to go window shopping, just to get ideas for your own place or style. It’s like real life Pinterest.
Say “I Love You” – Whether to a family member, friend, or even yourself—say it out loud! Remember that we’re all human and our emotions are important. You got this!

Get Creative

Upgrade Your Coffee & Tea Corner – Make your morning ritual extra special! Tyler and I thought about this space for so long. His obsession for coffee is unmatched, but when my organization mind came into place, we made our corner come to life. There’s so many ways to make coffee or organize your tea bags; but the best aspect is having a corner to wake up to and make your own.
Take a Photo Walk – Step outside, lock your door for safety, and take artsy photos of 14 things that make you happy. Frame them later as a little joy gallery. Soak in the fresh air and take photos to remember the moment.
Candle Making, Pottery, or Ceramic Painting Class – Enjoy some creative time solo or with friends. I do this more for my birthday because it’s an experience for everyone to enjoy together. So why not do it at any point in time?
Host a Cooking Class – Invite friends and family, and even charge a small fee for a fun (and profitable!) experience. Everyone loves food, so why not make it into something?!

Think Outside the Box

Start Your Birthday Registry Early – My family and I swear by this! If surprises aren’t your thing, create a registry for stress-free gifting. I’m that crazy kid that has a registry months before my birthday because December is something special, I tell ya!
Look Up Singles Events – Many restaurants and event spaces host social gatherings. Try sites like Eventbrite or Facebook for fun meetups. There’s always something going on in town!
Throw It Back to Elementary School – Buy those nostalgic Valentine’s cards from the dollar store and exchange them at work, with neighbors, or even with strangers to spread some cheer. It’s also a great ice breaker as a start to a wonderful friendship!

And if none of these ideas spark your interest, my husband, Tyler, says: “Just do whatever you’d normally do—it’s just a regular day!” Wouldn’t you agree?

See ya next time,

Mel