By Greg Psomas
Ah, Valentine’s Day: a day for chocolates, roses and candlelit dinners. Unless, of course, you are single — in which case you are constantly being bombarded with reminders that you are not with that special someone. If you’re alone this Valentine’s Day, don’t fret. There are plenty of activities for the unattached to participate in.
Many singles, such as sophomore journalism major and bachelor Dan Miles, feel alone and left out of the mid-February festivities. Valentine’s Day can be a depressing time for those like Miles who feel overwhelmed by the hype of the “Lovers’ Holiday.” Decorative red hearts appear to hang tauntingly from every window. Sickeningly romantic music drones from every radio station. While many people in relationships look forward to the holiday, Valentine’s Day is no bed of roses for singles, Miles said.
“I’ll be crying myself to sleep on a bed of conversation hearts and roses I purchased for myself,” he said.
Miles is not alone in feeling discouraged by Valentine’s Day. Many other students say they plan on using the holiday to dwell on their relationship status.
“I will probably just sit in my room and watch tragic love movies and cry,” said Lauren Greene, a freshman physical therapy major.
Other students say they plan on simply ignoring the day all together.
“I’d just treat it like any other day and not give in to the whole consumerism that surrounds it,” said Eugene Abovsky, a middler computer science major.
Echoing those sentiments was Akil Alexander, a middler architecture major.
“I never acknowledge this day,” he said. “It goes right by like nothing happened.”
Another strategy is to treat your friends like valentines. Frances Alcantara, a middler mathematics major, said he and his friends give each other valentines sometimes, which makes him feel better.
Freshman political science major Alison Owens offered singles a similar approach to the holiday. “You can always give some of your single friends a valentine, like when you were a little kid in school. It’s nothing romantic, but it shows how much you care about them,” she said.
Steph Shore, a freshman journalism major, offered some advice, despite not being single herself.
“You can be your own boyfriend or girlfriend. Treat yourself to a great time and spoil yourself,” she said.
Many singles often spend their way to an enjoyable holiday on Valentine’s Day. You can treat yourself to an entertaining and relaxing day, even without someone else.
There are various events occurring on Feb. 14 that offer interesting alternatives for singles. The Northeastern wrestling team is throwing a singles party at Conor Larkin’s restaurant at 329 Huntington Ave. starting at 6 p.m. for students 18 and older. The students will have the opportunity to eat and talk to others who are also without a relationship.
Many students may not find the idea of simulating Valentine’s Day all that appealing. They would rather engage in activities that are exciting, but not holiday specific.
“I’ve been in a relationship for a while, but I think if I weren’t, it would be fun to go out with my friends and see a show,” said Sam Kanter, a freshman art major.
The Charles Playhouse hosts a performance by the Blue Man Group on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. But if you missed your chance to get tickets or if you would rather see entertainment by your fellow students, afterHOURS is having an open-mic night sponsored by Spectrum, the Northeastern literary magazine. This event offers an alternative for cash-strapped students who cannot afford pricy Blue Man Group tickets.
One event that many Northeastern students, single or otherwise, will be attending is the annual Beanpot hockey tournament. The second day of the tournament falls on Valentine’s Day, so it offers an easy escape from the holiday festivities for anyone who enjoys hockey.
“It’s really exciting. You get some great hockey and you don’t have to listen to that cheesy love song crap. It’ll be a great time,” said Kyle Gibson, a freshman business major.
Despite the notion that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, there are plenty of interesting and exciting activities for single students to partake in come Feb. 14. Whether you go to a singles party, check out the Blue Man Group, or catch some exciting action on the ice, you can have a rosy holiday even without the flowers.
