BEING single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This February 14, throw convention out the window and celebrate your single status.

The star-studded new movie Valentine’s Day is due in theatres right in time for any of you who need some last minute plans. You can even follow in the footsteps of Jessica Biel‘s character and throw an anti-Valentine’s Day dinner party for some of your single friends. Whatever you do, surround yourself with loved ones  - you don’t have to be “in love”, you just have to be loved.

Here are some other guaranteed ways to make your Valentine’s Day memorable:

1. Pamper yourself with a day at the spa

Grab a couple of girlfriends and celebrate your singlehood with a much-needed spa day. If a whole day at the spa is out of your reach financially, then create your own spa in the comfort of your bathroom. All you need are some of your favourite aromatherapy products and a warm bubble bath.

2. Take a mini escape for the weekend

How lucky are we that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year? Take the opportunity to whisk yourself (and yes, those cheeky girlfriends) away for the weekend. You don’t have to go anywhere lavish – just be spontaneous, pack up the car, and hit the road! If you live near the mountains, spend the weekend skiing or learning how to snowboard. Near the beach? Get that cute (and obviously single) guy to teach you a thing or two about surfing!

3. Spread the love by volunteering

Instead of moping about and dwelling on your single status, spend some time with people who are really in need of some love this Valentine’s Day. Spend the day volunteering at an elderly home or feeding the needy at a soup kitchen. Look through your local community paper for more information. Not only will your services be appreciated, but we also guarantee that you will come off feeling great at the end of the day.

4. Cook with the girls

This V-Day, take a cue from Real Housewives’ Alexia and plan an at-home cooking lesson. Invite your girlfriends, sister, Mum and whoever you can think of, pull out that dusty cookbook and plan out an easy food and drink menu for you and your guests to tackle. Love and food just go so well together, don’t you agree?

5. Throw a BYOB party ala Sex and the City

As the saying goes, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. So instead of giving up your ex, throw a trade-your-ex party like Charlotte did in season three of SATC. Who knows? The potential love of your life may be in attendance, and you could be singing a different tune come next Valentine’s Day!

6. Get out and get active

As we all know, exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy. So why not charge yourself up by sweating it out at a dance studio or gym class. Try out that Zumba class you’ve been meaning to, or relax with a steamy session of bikram yoga. Or grab a couple of friends and head to an indoor rock climbing arena. Not only will you get your daily dose of exercise, you’ll have an awesome time doing it.

7. Take that class you’ve been meaning to

Now’s the chance to learn a new skill! Been thinking about that Indian cooking class again? Want to learn how to salsa? Heard about that free makeup session Bobbi Brown is offering? This weekend is perfect to go out and take that class you’ve been hesitating to sign up for, or find a local studio where you can your friends can take a quick ceramics class so you get souvenirs from your efforts. Whatever your class of choice, it’s sure to be a productive learning experience.

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