Valentines’ Day is just about here, and a lot of people will probably be writing about it over the next few days, but what if you prefer a nontraditional valentines’ day? Maybe you just aren’t a fan of the holiday, maybe the kitsch is too much, or maybe you just want to celebrate a little differently this year.  No matter your views on the holiday, or your relationship status, you should still be able to have an enjoyable day. In this post I am going to talk about just a handful of nontraditional approaches to Valentines’ Day celebrations, and I hope that you will all gain something from it. As always, leave any suggestions, tips, or experiences that you would like to share in the comments, please feel free to do so.

• White Castle Valentines’ Day – White castle has been doing a fancy, by reservation only, dine in valentines’ day experience for customers. The experience is complete with table cloths, holiday décor, and table service. The chain has been doing this since 1991. Though they were hoping to be able to continue this tradition this year, they will not be offering this experience in 2022 because of the recent Covid surge. However, they are offering an all-new delivery or takeout experience for customers (at participating locations, while supplies last) in place of their normal event this year. On February 14^th 2022, they will be offering a “Love Cube” meal for two. This meal will include the following in a hot pink, cube shaped takeout box:
  • 8 Cheese Sliders
  • 2 Small Soft Drinks
  • Choice of 2 Sides

The meal will cost $14.99 at all participation locations except for locations in Nashville and Louisiana, where it will be $14.69. In addition to this customizable meal, the chain will also be releasing a brand-new dessert on a stick – A Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake w/ A Chocolate Cookie Crust. They are hopeful that they will be able to reopen for their usual Valentine’s Day reservations next year. In the meantime, though, check out their “Love Cube” meal if you can, and leave your experiences in the comments!

• Volunteer – Whether you are single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, volunteering on Valentine’s Day is a way that you can spend the holiday making a real impact, despite any negative feelings that you may have about the day itself. Take the day to volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, donate to a foodbank, or send a care package to someone in need. There are so many important causes that we have the opportunity to be a part of this year. Even if you do want to celebrate Valentines, you can always take some time to help out with one cause. If you have some more time on your hands, volunteering is a perfect way to do something meaningful with a day that may not normally be your favorite.

• Have V-Day on a different day – You might be busy on Valentine’s Day. You might hate the holiday, but still want to celebrate the love that you share with your significant other. You might want to go out, but you haven’t made reservations, or the thought of going in a crowd of other people makes you anxious or feels like an exhausting experience. Whatever the reason, the solution is simple. Make your own Valentine’s Day! You don’t need anyone (or any big box store) to tell you when you should celebrate with or buy gifts for, the people that you love. Wait until the day after and get those half priced chocolates, or use  the weekend before to go on a weekend getaway. Why not both? So, celebrate however early or late that you want to this year.

• Bar Crawl – Whether you are drowning your sorrows this Valentines’ Day, taking the opportunity to get out there and meet someone new, or just spending the night out with friends, you’ve got some options when it comes to your plans. There are Valentines-themed bar crawls, but you don’t necessarily need an event to go out and have a good time (as I am sure that you already know). Grab some friends and an Uber, and head out. If going out isn’t your speed, you can always make valentines, or anti-Valentines themed cocktails at home with friends, your significant other, or just by yourself.

• Solo / Friends Vacation – The photos that are about to flood the internet of happy couples posing in vacation spots can make you feel left out, but who needs a significant other when you’ve got a sandy beach or a cozy cabin, and maybe a friend or two? Imagine a vacation where you don’t have to worry about anyone’s needs or wants but your own. If traveling alone isn’t your thing, or if you just don’t want to be alone right now, take a friend, or more than one! Spend time with the people that you love platonically, and treat yourselves to some time away during a season that may not be the easiest or the most interesting to you.

• Romance yourself – Even if you are in a relationship, everyone needs to romance themselves every once in a while. If it looks like a bath and a bottle of wine, a beer on the couch, or anything in between, you deserve to show yourself the attention that you may normally seek from other people. Take the time to savor every moment of the day, and make it completely your own. Take off work if you can.
  • Favorite Dinner – Order in or cook yourself depending on how you feel about the process. McDonalds or filet mignon, it doesn’t matter how much money you spend or how much effort you put into it as long as you enjoy the outcome. Your expectations are the only ones that you have to worry about today.
  • Activities – Dedicate your day (or at least as much as you can) to doing something that you truly love to do, something that you have always wanted to do, or maybe just nothing at all. Let yourself have exactly the day that you need, and then let yourself rest, whatever those things mean to you.