With Valentine’s Day lurking around the corner, I give you a list of both date ideas and single ideas that go outside the realm of cliche.
SINGLE IDEAS
Step away from the ice cream, Snuggie and horribly sad chick flick. Be happy because you have this time to think about yourself. Valentine’s Day is good day to be selfish while alone. It’s a day to think of what you want to do – goals, hopes, dreams – things you can do alone. Plus, you can do whatever YOU want to do.
Volunteer
Call a homeless shelter a few days before to see if they will let you in.
Go play with the dogs and cats at the animal shelter – because what animal won’t cheer you up?
If people feel bad and think life is terrible because they’re single on Valentine’s Day, here are some organizations that can help them realize that there are much worse things than being alone on this holiday:
-YMCA
-Vanderburgh Humane Society
-American Red Cross
-VistaCare Hospice
-Habitat for Humanity
-Aurora
-Easter Seals
-Evansville Public Library
Random Act of Kindness
Have you ever seen people post pictures of how a random person did something sweet? A USI student posted a picture of an earring that was found and posted it by the UC. Have you ever lost your wallet or ID and had someone turn it in? A random act of kindness can touch people and inspire them to do some good themselves.
-Post unscratched lottery tickets on a gas pump
-Leave the mail person a thank-you note
-Thank a solider
-Leave your extra Christmas gift cards on car windshields
-Go to a fast food restaurant and pay for the person behind you
-Introduce yourself to your neighbors
-Shovel people’s sidewalks (if there is snow – it just pops up sometimes)
Date Night with Yourself
If you have the desire to have a date night, try it with yourself. Make yourself dinner, blast music, and watch a movie. But avoid romantic movies if possible – you want to be able to laugh more than cry. This is a good time to relax with a glass of wine and feel pampered. Cooking or baking allows you to piece something together even if your life is crumbling.
Movies
-“Friends with Benefits”
-“No Strings Attached”
-“Just Go With It”
-“The Bounty Hunter”
-“Knocked Up”
-“The Proposal”
-“Perks of Being a Wallflower”
-“Just Married”
-“The Ugly Truth”
Dinner: Balsamic Mustard Chicken
-2 boneless, skinless chicken breast (each cut in half long way)
-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
-3 cloves of minced (or chopped) garlic
-2 1/2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
-Salt and pepper (to taste)
Mix balsamic vinegar, oil, garlic and mustard together and place the mixture in a bag with the chicken. Marinate for at least three hours. Use a George Forman grill or cook in a medium sauce pan to brown both sides.
COUPLES DATE IDEAS
Feel like branching out with your significant other? Want to do something besides dinner, a movie and making out? Here are some things you may want to look into.
New Harmony
New Harmony is a historic little town with a gorgeous shopping area. It’s a tourist town, but it can make you feel far away from the hustle and bustle of Evansville.
-Visit the shops – there are lots of art and antiques stores.
-Eat dinner at the Yellow Tavern.
-Stay at the New Harmony Inn, which features the “Chocolate Lover’s Package” – One night accommodations, bedside sparkling wine and chocolate-dipped strawberries, a specially prepared 3-course chocolate dinner at the award-winning Red Geranium Restaurant, and a continental breakfast. (It’s a little expensive, though – around $220.)
Take a Trip
I know this sounds expensive, but if you go to the right places, it can be cheaper than fancy four-star restaurants. Road trips are spontaneous and you can do a lot of different things.
St. Louis
-Zoo – it’s free!
-Budweiser Brewery Tours – this is free too!
-Visit the Arch ($10)
-Various museums
Netflix Marathon
Watch a season of each of your favorite TV shows in the comfort of your own place. Buy snack food and have a “snack dinner.” After each episode, tell each other one thing you don’t usually say or have never mentioned before. It’s always nice to surprise them with their favorite candy to snack on!
TV shows
-“How I Met Your Mother”
-“Friends”
-“Sherlock” (the British version)
Cheap and easy snacks
-Bagel Bites
-Fish sticks
-Wontons
-Buffalo chicken dip
-Chips and salsa