That day is here. You know what day I’m talking about. The one that those in relationships embrace and stress and fuss over, making reservations months in advance and buying ridiculous teddy bears the significant other neither needs nor actually wants. The day that single people either choose to ignore or do something lavish and spectacular to overlook their singleness. If you’re still coming up blank, picture CVS, its aisles a swirling dervish of puffy pink posters and purple and red cherry gumdrop lips and edible scented paper hearts. Yes, friends. Valentines Day is coming.

If you’re one half of a couple, congratulations! Go out, make out and celebrate your love. If you’re not, I implore you to look at Valentines Day in a new light. Make it a “you” day. Make it selfish. Celebrate single and sexy and sweets. Here’s how.

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and men!)

Photo courtesy of Elledecor.com

1. Call New Delhi and reserve a large table. Bring a piñata and a keyboard and recreate the “I HATE VALENTINES DAY” party from the movie, Valentines Day.

2. Bursar a massage at Pottruck. You deserve to unwind. Then treat yourself to a smoothie.

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and men!)

Photo by Amanda Shulman

3. Make something sinful and tasty and devour it straight out of the pan. Like this, or these, or these.

4. Go online and research how to make your favorite cocktail. Then proceed to invite your other single friends over and indulge.

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and men!)

Photo by Amanda Shulman

5. Take on an enormous baking project. Food distraction is key. (Èclairs perhaps?)

6. Bring the Rave to you because you wouldn’t dare be caught there alone on this day/spend $10 on a small popcorn. Pick out your favorite movies, raid CVS of every non-Valentines candy they have and pop popcorn until your microwave is tired and your hair smells like butter.

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and men!)

Photo by Amanda Shulman

7. Go to the bookstore and bursar every Godiva chocolate they have.

8. Call your best friend and invite them over for a mock date. Cook your heart out and laugh at all the people sitting in stuffy restaurants eating pricey set menus of things nobody wants.

9. Go to CVS the 15th and purchase all the V-day candy on sale. Stock up.

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and men!)

Photo by Annie Trimber, Northwestern Spoon

10. Make a batch of brownies and buy some wine and invite all the single people you know over to mingle. Everybody’s looking for somebody and who knows, you might be the next Patty Stanger.