This post originally appeared on February 14th, 2011.
While this guide is geared towards surviving V-Day, its not about following the traditional path.
Its also applicable to your next big date and a look at how to handle being alone.
Be sure to also check out ourstress-free Valentines Day guide.
While Valentines Day can be a lot of fun, its prone to disaster.
Sex advice columnist Dan Savage repeatedly recommendseven cautionscouples to save the food for last.
Try Something Different
You dont have to buy gifts and go out for dinner for Valentines Day.
you’ve got the option to do whatever you want.
Being a little bad by yourself doesnt have the same effect as being bad with others.
The rush of going through that experience together will make it more fun and memorable.
It will help create a bond.
Celebrate What You Love
Romance shouldnt necessarily be born out of gifts and food.
It should be about expressing love and celebrating the love you have with somebody.
Find ways to celebrate those things rather than simply going the traditional route.
Even if you both hate it, youll have plenty to talk about afterwards.
Be a little strange, pick something youd never thought youd do, and do it together.
Often times being able to quickly solve a problem can lead to something unexpectedly better.
You may even find yourself feeling glad something went wrong because it turned out better in the end.
Anticipate Delays and Unexpected Problems- If youre going out, it’s crucial that you leave early.
Figure out what could go wrong and account for enough time to endure it.
For Singles
If youre single, Valentines Day can seem especially obnoxious.
Nonetheless, it doesnt mean you cant have a good time.
If youre alone this Valentines Day, break out all your favorite things.
Being alone is not a bad thing and it can be pretty great if you learn to embrace it.
Just because youre not with someone on Valentines Day doesnt mean the holiday has to be horrible and sad.
Some years youll be with someone and some years you wont.
Thats how it works, and every one of those years can be fun if you allow it.
One year, despite having a date, I performed in a Valentines Day concert.
Sadly for my date, it was the highlight of the evening.
What you do isnt as important as the joy you get from doing it.
Figure out something you love to do and then go out and do it somewhere that youll be appreciated.
For most, Valentines Day is about feeling appreciated.
When you get that feeling from a group of people, its pretty great.
The worst-case scenario is that theyll think its stupid and decide not to come.
On the other hand, you might make a few lonely people very happy to have something to do.
communicate with the people you care about to say hi.
Let them know you care.
You never know when someones going to need that reminder, but theres rarely a bad time.
Its done!Watch it here.
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