Some years it’s just bound to happen.  You’re a single girl, and just as you’ve shelved your sparkling pumps until next year’s holiday season, your favourite stores are suddenly taken over by a crush of red and pink.  Valentine’s Day is coming, and it seems every card and confectionery maker in the world is hell-bent on making sure you know it.

As the new decade gets underway, why not start off 2010 with a fresh new approach to the saccharin-soaked holiday for twosomes?  Rather than spend the day cursing your single-ness or every lovestruck couple you pass, embrace the best parts of single-girl-dom and celebrate yourself.

1. Girls' Night In

Host a dinner party with your closest single friends.  Arrange for everyone to bring a different hors d’oeuvre and bottle of wine, so no one is stuck in the kitchen cooking all night. Pick a theme for the food to use as a guideline, like gourmet comfort food.

2. A Cooking Party

Get in the kitchen together for a cooking party with your gal pals.  Pick a menu, divide up the ingredients amongst your guests, and arrange your kitchen into cooking and prep stations. Keep it light and fun, leaving the really complicated recipes for another occasion.

3. Manicures and Movies

After the plates have been cleared, the sky’s the limit as to how to spend your evening.  Set out your best spa accessories and pamper yourselves with rich face-masks, manicures, and classic feel good movies like Adventures in Babysitting or Girls Just Want To Have Fun, accompanied by a rich dessert.  However, if you and your girls are feeling a little more, well, rancorous about the whole day, take a cue from a jilted Carrie Bradshaw, uncork a few bottles of Shiraz, and indulge in some terrible, but decidedly non-romantic, slasher films.

4. A Night Out on the Town

First, head to the martini lounge that is the least likely to host a Valentine’s Night extravaganza. Afterwards, go to a club for some calorie-burning single girl dancing.  If you are feeling particularly mischievous, ask the DJ to play “(I Don’t Want You Back)” by Eamon (you know which song we mean!), and count how many enamoured couples ironically slow dance to it at the end of the night.

5. Treat Yourself

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate singlehood on Valentine’s Day is by going it alone.  Book a massage at your favourite spa and follow it up with a relaxing facial or pedicure.  Go to your favourite (secret shame - shh!) stores for some serious power shopping.  

When you have returned home feeling relaxed and indulged, watch that one movie you adore but are positively embarrassed to admit you like.  Avoid the chore of cooking and order in your favourite curry, pour a healthy glass of wine, and relax.

by Heather Loney