6 Things Everybody Can Do on Valentine’s Day

It’s that time of the year again, Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. Whether you find yourself single or with that special someone this year, there are plenty of things for you to do to make it a memorable day. Fortunately, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, so treat it like any other Friday and take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Here are six fun options for those celebrating Valentine’s Day, single or together:

1. Hit the slopes.

• Single? There are 50 ski slopes in New York, so there is sure to be one not too far away. Get your friends together and go snowboarding, skiing, or even tubing. In between runs, go into the lodge and grab some hot chocolate and watch the Winter Olympics. And plus, with the snow storm that is hitting New York, the mountain will be covered in fresh snow making it the ideal time to hit the slopes.

• If you have a date: Ski slopes can be quite romantic. Enjoy the time away from your regular routine and enjoy the outdoors. Finish off the day by finding some relaxation by a fireplace or hot tub.

2. Catch up on your Netflix’s queue.

• Single? You still haven’t finished the Breaking Bad series yet? This year Walter White can be your Valentine. There’s nothing better than stretching out in your bed with a jar of Nutella all to yourself. You can even forget that nacho cheese stain on your pajama shirt – Walter doesn’t mind.

• If you have a date: Keep it a low-key date night and watch you and your beau’s favorite flicks. Or step out to the movie theater to see something new! Three new romantic movies come out this Valentine’s Day: Winter’s Tale, About Last Night, and Endless Love.

3. Make a romantic dinner!

• Single? Treat yourself to a gourmet meal, you deserve it. Cook yourself a nice steak dinner, or order in from your favorite restaurant. Looking for something a little more basic? There’s no shame in making some microwavable macaroni and cheese. Throw in a little (or a lot) of bacon, and voilà! – the perfect Valentine’s Day meal.

• If you have a date: The restaurants can get crowded on Valentine’s Day (even McDonald’s is accepting reservations!) If you aren’t finding any luck with OpenTable, try impressing your date with a home cooked meal. Or better yet, cook together!

4. Meet new people.

• Single? If you’re a student living in the residence hall, stop by a Valentine’s Day party on campus. Typically, residence hall advisers on SUNY campuses throw a Valentine’s Day get-together, so stop by, eat some Valentine’s Day cupcakes, and meet some new people. You never know who might meet. Love is in the air after all.

• If you have a date: While you don’t need to look to meet new romantic interests on Valentine’s Day, as a couple, meeting other couples could be fun. Check out a local Meetup or attend one of those Paint & Sip parties where other dates might be spending their evening.

5. Hang out with friends.

• Single? Your friends that are also flying solo this Valentine’s Day will know exactly how you feel. Just treat it like any other day. It’s still a Friday so don’t let the significance of the day sway your actions. If you and your friends are feeling a little cynical, turn the night into an adventure movie marathon. Forget all the mushy, romanticism of the day and enjoy a good thriller.

• If you have a date: Try not to let your single friends feel alienated on Valentine’s Day. You can spread the love to your friends and show them how much you appreciate them through considerate gestures during the day. Send them an eCard or a simple text message. And everybody loves a piece of chocolate on Valentine’s Day!

6. Reconnect with your tech.

• Single? Siri’s always there for you (maybe the movie “Her” doesn’t seem so crazy after all.) Take this time to download new apps that can take your mind away from the Valentine’s Day scene. Feeling a bit adventurous? Download the Everest app to create a step-by-step plan for achieving any type of goal, whether it’s learning a new language or going on a journey for Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Feeling hungry? Download an app for a pizza place nearby and build your own pizza that’s delivered right to your door.  Want to meet someone out of your inner circle? Download Tinder. It’s still not too late to find a Valentine’s Day date. Look here for more Find more must-have apps for the spring semester that we previously recommended!

• If you have a date: Unplug on Valentine’s Day. Put your phone down and enjoy the company you’re with. No matter what your V-Day plans are, today is about being in the presence of love and appreciating it.

Happy Valentine’s Day!