Try These Valentine Alternatives

Mon., Feb. 9, 1998

Janelle Flegel And Courtney Wilcox

You’ve just broken up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, and you’re dreading spending Valentine’s Day alone.

You’ve never had a significant other on Valentine’s Day and always dread the day.

You’re just not a romantic and think Valentine’s Day is overblown.

Whatever the reason, Valentine’s Day can be depressing for those flying solo.

But here are some things you can do with your friends you love as much as anyone, right?

Valentine movie marathon: Rent as many movie videos as you and your sleepless friends can stay awake through. Assign people to bring snacks and share ideas for next year’s movie theme. Who says romance has to be the featured presentation?

Love swap: Remember Valentine’s Day in elementary school? Sharing little paper valentines in homemade mailboxes and eating all that chemically-treated candy? Relive those memories. Gather your friends and spend a few minutes making paper mailboxes. When you’re finished, deliver your own valentines.

Heart attack: This idea is for only the most daring valentine crusaders. Get together with a bunch of buddies to cut out construction paper hearts and other decorations. Then, if weather permits, the night before the big day, sneak quietly to your chosen victim’s house. Bring along tape (the kind that won’t peel the paint off the wall) and tape your decorations all over the house. When your friend wakes up the next morning, he or she will surely be surprised by your, um, artwork.

See “Titanic”: Bring tissue. Is there any thing else to say?

Night on the town: You don’t have to be dating to go on a date. Grab your buds for a dressed-up night on the town. Have dinner at your favorite restaurant, see a movie, or just take a walk in the park. Get a group of friends and hit the bowling alley, or go to minigolf.

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