As you can tell from our previous posts, we MyNewPlacers really get into the holiday spirit. I’ll be honest, though: While I revel in the stream of Halloween-Thanksgiving-Hanukkah-Christmas-New Year’s… I’m not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day.  (True story: I’ve actually had a breakup on Valentine’s Day.) If you’re single, you feel like you’re missing out…and even if you have the best Valentine in the world, it can be really expensive.  Florists jack up their prices, restaurants forgo their usual menus for “prix-fixe,” and then there’s the pressure to dress up. However, that doesn’t have to be the case.  This year, I’ve gotten half a dozen invitations for Valentine’s Day parties  in my friends’ apartments. And I am so excited.  If you’re looking for a nontraditional way to celebrate at home, here are some ideas.  Mix and match!

Dinner Party

I’m sure we’re not the first ones to suggest this idea…but it’s definitely worth mentioning. The great thing about dinner parties is how customizable they are.  If you have a lot of single friends and want to splurge on yourselves, buy champagne and eat something ostentatious, like lamb chops or seafood. On the other end of the spectrum, you can make it easy (and cheap!) on yourself by hosting a potluck or having everyone chip in for sin-worthy takeout. (I like nothing better than eating pad thai out of the box with my close friends.)

Cookie Swap

First, let me be clear—I’m not saying that a cookie swap doesn’t equal a dinner party.  What better day to have cookies for dinner? The general idea is that everyone makes one kind of cookies and then trades, so that each person walks away with a pretty variety.  These swaps are most common around Christmas, but the idea seems perfect for a holiday that glorifies chocolate.  There are plenty of ideas out there for oh-so-cute cookies—chocolate, pink, heart-shaped, and so on. It’s worth checking out the link for the images alone!

Galentine’s Day

One of my favorite phrases from Sex and the City (the ultimate apartment-based sitcoms!) is “secret single behavior.” Glorify these with your favorite single ladies.  Of course, every friend group has their own.  We’re fans of: ice cream (especially Ben & Jerry’s); champagne (especially the pink kind!); pedicures; facial masques; gossip; pajamas (at any time of day); and one of our favorite shows about single women—Girls, 30Rock, or Sex and the City.

Crafternoon

What better way to show the people in your life—boyfriends, girlfriends, roommates, family, pals—that you care than to make them a cute little gift that they’ll remember? I think homemade cards are absolutely charming; I still have hand-crafted valentines from 10 years ago.  If you want to make something more functional, consider this list of 105 DIY projects from the domestic divas at Casasugar. Other notable ideas: take your pals to a paint-your-own ceramics, make candles for a future romantic evening, or suggest future cocktail parties by making your own bitters.

Do you have some unconventional ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Tell us here or on Facebook!