By Emily Wei, Lifestyle Columnist
January has come and gone and February has rolled in! Valentine’s day is just around the corner and is the reason that this month is loved by many and hated by others. It seems that everywhere you turn, you are bombarded by hearts, roses, and chocolate. Some find this show of public affection captivating, however, some of you may not find it as exciting. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or just looking to share some love around, there’s plenty of fun activities that go beyond the traditional Valentine’s, or Gal-entines, day ventures!
Starting off with some indoor activities, a classic that you can never go wrong with is cooking and/ or baking. Make a nice meal with some friends and light some candles. If you want to take it a bit further, you could make some fondue by heating up some chocolate or get some icing, sprinkles, and fondant and try decorating a cake! Next up, try doing a gift swap with friends! You can each make cookies for one another and then exchange them.
A popular activity these days is to embrace your inner child and exchange stuffed animals with each other! Additionally, paint nights are always a huge hit and you even get a nice piece of artwork for yourself after. You could even try painting candles instead of canvases and then use those for your dinner lighting! Lastly, if you’re with friends, every person can make their own themed drinks! For example, you could do a Disney theme and have one person make Sleeping Beauty themed drinks (some apple juice with black food colouring and a slice of apple on the rim).
For those of you that plan on taking on the town this coming Valentine’s day, I have some options for you too! Firstly, you should pamper yourself and treat yourself to something like a manicure. With your newly painted nails, go out to a nice restaurant and have a delicious breakfast/brunch/ lunch/dinner! A forewarning that many restaurants get booked very early on Valentine’s day so make sure to make a reservation if you plan on going out! If you’re looking for a more relaxed evening, try taking a walk or drive to a nearby lookoff spot or beach to watch the sunrise or sunset. As a certified sunrise lover, you can never go wrong with this choice! If you’d like to go out but don’t feel like interacting with many people, take a trip to the movies! Whether you’re a hopeless romantic,a history buff, or have a need for speed, there are so many movies out right now that I’m sure you can find something suited for your interests.
In the end it all boils down to Valentine’s day being about celebrating love in all its forms. Whether it be with friends, family, a special someone, a pet, or yourself, take some time to make some memories! Remember that if all else fails, you can always get tons of Valentine’s day candy and chocolate for 50% off the next day!
Image by Freepik
