By: Rachel Bardon '25
Valentine’s Day is finally here, whether we believe it or not. Many are awaiting this day to go out on romantic dates with their partners or friends or others that completely sulk in the fact that they are single. There are some common Dos and Don’ts of Valentine’s Day that most can align with, however, “follow your arrow wherever it points”. I hope that this list might give you some inspiration for this upcoming holiday and no matter how you celebrate it, I hope that it is filled with love.
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1. DO take yourself on a date. Despite Valentine’s Day being the ‘lovers’ holiday, that does not mean that you can’t love yourself. This is a perfect time to dress up and eat wherever you choose, without having the hassle of coordinating with someone else. I would note that Caf and Sadler are maybe not the most romantic places to take yourself (or anyone else for that matter) on a date, but hey you might love the tater tots, chicken tenders, or the special Valentine’s meal that they are cooking up.
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2. DON’T hit up your ex. I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you, “Been there, done that” and it never really ends like a rom-com. An ex is an ex for a reason, so focus on your future and not your past.
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3. DO make Valentines for all your loves, platonic and romantic. I personally plan on making little cards with stickers and candy for my friends, and maybe this one cutie in my class (he might get an extra heart sticker on his). This is a great way to spread love and joy. Plus, the nostalgia of being back in primary school with class-wide Valentines is hard to turn down.
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4. DON’T complain about being single. It is totally okay to be single and to remember that this holiday is just one day. There are so many things to do when single, plus you won’t have to buy a cheesy gift and you can go get candy on the 15th for half the price. Just because someone else is in a relationship on Valentine's Day, does not mean that they are living out the love fantasy that you think they are. No matter your relationship status, there are ways to enjoy the holiday of love.
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5. DO go out with your friends. No matter whether you call it Galentine’s (for the gals) or Palentine’s (for the pals), you can go out and eat a fancy dinner for everyone, watch a movie (it doesn't have to be a romantic one), or bake some cute little cookies. There truly is no one way to celebrate this holiday.
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6. DON’T rely on Tinder to find your Valentine’s soulmate. Whatever you think you want from a dating app, you probably don’t. Apps can be sloppy, especially on holidays. I will say that I am living proof that romance does not exist on dating apps, but hey, to each their own.
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7. DO go on a walk around Colonial Williamsburg. This is a cute way to refresh and revive, especially with the musicians playing love songs on the saxophone in Merchant Square. Grab some Cheese Shop and enjoy the peacefulness.
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8. DON’T ruin others’ relationships. As powerful as you might feel by wrecking someone’s relationship on Valentine's Day, don’t do it. It is a little selfish to ruin a holiday for others, just because you can. Let them have their day and you can wait until the day after to air out dirty laundry.
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9. DO text the people back home that you love. Though they may not be here with you this Valentine's Day, they would probably love to know that they’re on your mind and that you love them.
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10. DON’T buy yourself flowers and claim they are from someone else. Babes, you are not Selena Gomez in “Wizards of Waverly Place”. There is no need to put on a façade that no one asked for in the first place. Trust me when I say that no one really cares who bought you flowers, it is more of the fact that you have them.
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11. DO take care of yourself. Do an extra skin care routine, put on a fire outfit, or even take an extra nap. Love yourself and your body in whatever way you please.
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12. DON’T watch a sad movie. No need to get sad over a movie that will make you want to aimlessly stare at the Crim-dell asking why you’re alone or single on Valentine's Day while listening to Frank Ocean. That sounds like a pitiful low-rate movie.
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13. DO go ice skating. The Liberty Pavilion Ice Rink is super cute during the day and night. What is a better way to spend your Valentine’s Day than to see your friends or your partner either be fantastic on the ice or look like a baby deer learning to walk on ice? A true bonding experience for all.
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14. DON’T get caught up in what Valentine’s Day ‘should’ look like. Make it what you want it to be as others will do for themselves. It’s a silly little holiday to truthfully have fun with. Valentine’s Day is not a cookie cutter holiday, so spend it how you please, even if that is just not acknowledging it at all. Have fun and stay safe!