Hello! Welcome back to Hoot Recommends, the series where The Hoot recommends things. In this edition, we’ll be talking about our favorite activities to do as a single person on Valentine’s Day!
Lucas: Perhaps this is a cliche answer, but connect with your family. Familial love is just as important as romantic love, and it’s always nice to call your dad or talk to your sister, especially if you haven’t spoken in some time. It’s a holiday, and like any holiday, it’s best not to spend it alone. I have many fond memories of sharing chocolate with my whole family on or near Valentine’s day. It’s only an exclusive holiday if you make it exclusive.
James: I don’t really have a good answer for this. I tend to just treat it as a normal day. As a single person, I’ve found it best to just pretend there’s not a holiday going on. The only Valentine’s-themed tradition that I participate in is eating chocolate. Other than that, it’s no different from a normal day.
Michael: Watching trashy reality TV shows to feel better about yourself. These are always a reminder that, as callous as it may sound, there are always people who are doing worse than you are. People who are more arrogant, delusional or just more embarrassing than you. Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hotel Hell” are always classics in that regard. It’s always great fun to watch Gordon chewing out a truly clueless individual while that silly waterphone sound effect plays in the background constantly. Watching the up-close shots of revolting dishes or hellish freezers is about as absorbing as watching a slow-motion trainwreck and I’m all for it. “Dr Phil” is also something that I’ve been watching lately. Now everyone knows that Dr. Phil has no actual credentials, and yeah, he was at a Trump rally once. But I still watch it because there is always some INSANE drama whose participants, for some reason, have decided would be best to be played out in front of an audience of millions. Again, it truly is like a trainwreck—you simply can’t look away. All of the shows I mentioned are free on Youtube, by the way. So is “Jerry Springer,” but I have yet to watch an episode of that. Hey, I still have some dignity left.
Rachel: Considering I don’t have relationship experience (and yes, I am okay with admitting that to the world), I only know about single person activities on Valentine’s Day. I wouldn’t say that every Valentine’s Day has been the same, but they have all revolved around me enjoying my own company and appreciating life. For starters, it’s always nice to watch a fun rom-com. Some single people may see that as too sappy for Valentine’s Day, as it is just rubbing in the fact that they are single. However, I think rom-coms can be cute, and they can give hope for a bright future of love, as you see some quirky characters conquer their own demons to find their person. Some rom-coms that I recommend include “13 Going on 30,” “Juliet, Naked,” “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” “How to Be Single,” “Sing Street,” “The Big Sick,” “Clueless,” “The Other Woman” and “Someone Great.” There are plenty that I am probably forgetting, but I am sure you can discover some great ones on your own. It can also be nice to have a nice meal on your own, like treating yourself to some tasty takeout. You deserve to have that nice self-celebration! Of course, the real treat comes the next day, Feb. 15, when all of the candy is on sale. It could be good to stock up on some for the holiday, so you have some comforting chocolate, but the next day is when you can truly go wild at the Target or CVS candy aisle. In addition, don’t forget to tell your friends how much you appreciate them, as everyone that you love on Valentine’s Day matters. Also, another single-person activity, to partake in, ironically enough, could be going on a first date. What a story to tell the grandkids. Seriously though, while you can remain an independent soul, you can use Valentine’s Day to get to know another soul and find a true connection, while also having a fun night out. Plus, the fact that neither of you have plans on Valentine’s Day could be a good icebreaker. So check out the apps, the person for your Feb. 14 could be someone you don’t know yet. Just remember that no matter what your Valentine’s Day looks like, you should try to make sure it is one that makes you happy. Many people can feel lonely on Valentine’s Day, but not you! Just do what makes you happiest and bring the biggest smile to your face. If that can happen, then any single-person activity will be worth it.
Avery: In my many years as a single person, I can safely say that chocolate is the solution to all of life’s problems. And there is an overabundance of the gooey, delicious stuff lining the front of every store right about now. Stock up!! Also, buying your friends chocolate or pink cards or flowers is a great way to distract from the overwhelming romance. Platonic love is just as valid, folks!!
Jenna: I’m a fan of the classics: a movie (a rom-com or super sad romance to be exact), a tub of ice cream and a few single friends to share it with. Having your heart torn apart, then put back together, then drenched in tears, then palpating from laughter, is all the emotional cleansing a single person needs on a day like Valentines. I actually just threw a Valentine’s gift exchange with some of my roommates and a few of our friends the other night and it was really fun! After all, Valentines is generally a materialistic holiday so why not get a present even if you don’t have a significant other?! I added the extra twist though of making it a white elephant, which I think added that “heartbreak” element that Valentine’s day is also all about. Anyway jokes aside as a single person on valentines for the entirety of my life I am proud to say—I’ve survived, and you will too (but the ice cream definitely helps).
Jason: This week’s Hoot Recommends is especially troubling for me. Not because I’m technically single, but because I’m technically spending my Valentine’s glued to a screen, finishing my midterms that three of my professors decided were due this week before break. As I’m writing this, it’s 10:40 p.m. and I hope to finish my midterms before I go to sleep today, so I can skip class tomorrow and treat myself to Moody Street.
