Be My Un-Valentine

Being single is great; no commitments and a whole bed to stretch out on-or with whoever you want - and no ball and chain holding you back from painting the town red and flirting up a storm. But then along comes Valentine’s Day and makes you feel like you've contracted some kind of terminal illness until all the lovey dovey couples have come down from cloud nine.
~ Kenny Duggal, "Anti Valentine's Day 2012: Where to Celebrate Being Single"


Ah, Valentine's Day.  In the past I would celebrate this holiday with a box of chocolates (given to me by me) & a romantic movie (on my own).  I like to think I'm older & wiser now, & I don't do that anymore.  Here are some ideas I've collected for other singletons celebrating un-Valentine's Day:

Valentine's Day Potluck: A video of Stacie Ikka, founder of SittingInATree.com, who suggests breaking out of your dating rut and opening up your social circle with a large dinner.

Celebrate Quirkyalone Day: Ten suggestions to get you started in your Quirkyalone Day planning. 

Flying Solo: Valentine's Day Etiquette Tips - Being single on Valentine’s Day is no reason to curtail plans of a fun get-away or night out!

10 single chefs divulge their ultimate Valentine's Day feast - If you do stay home, trying tempting yourself in the kitchen.  These chefs give you their own favorite recipes, but what would you like to try?

Throw an Un-Valentine's Day Party - "Un-Valentine's Day, not Anti-Valentine's Day" (with recipes)

What we really need is a festival to celebrate love's many torments. Bring on Unvalentine's Day - "Valentine's Day - the only national occasion dedicated to mental illness - is a stressful ordeal at the best of times"

(Un)Happy Valentine's Day Cocktail Guide

Happy Un-Valentine's for Celebrating Singles

Marie Claire's Anti-Valentine's Day Handbook

How To Ideas For An Un-Valentine's Day (Or Celebrate Your Divorce) Party

Heartbreak on a Plate - salivate over this Un-Valentine's Day menu

Bad Romance: bracing for an un-romantic Valentine's Day - "here are some early warning signs that you aren't in for a very sexy Valentine's Day this year" (funny)

A Very Merry Un-Valentine's Day from TCM - recommended films

Celebrate Singles Awareness Day!

Move to Brooklyn - Here are some ways to not celebrate, un-celebrate and anti-celebrate Valentine's Day in Brooklyn, NY (funny)

Recommended Reads to Amp Up Your Single Mojo

Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone by Eric Klinenberg

Outdated: Why Dating is Ruining Your Love Life by Samhita Mukhopadhyay

Bachelor Girl: The Secret History of the Single Woman in the Twentieth Century by Betsy Israel

Making the Cat Laugh: One Woman's Journal of Single Life on the Margins by Lynne Truss

The Single Girl's Manifesta: Living in a Stupendously Superior Single State of Mind by Jerusha Stewart

Living Alone & Loving It: A Guide to Relishing the Solo Life by Barbara Feldon

Living Solo edited by Adrienne Salinger

Urban Tribes: A Generation Redefines Friendship, Family, and Commitment by Ethan Watters

On My Own: The Art of Being a Woman Alone by Florence Falk

Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto by Anneli Rufus

Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics by Sasha Cagen

Or consider watching Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman- "Filmmaker Jennifer Fox journeys around the globe to investigate how the modern-day woman lives in other parts of the world"-or Happy-Go-Lucky.