Valentine’s Day has been branded “Forever Alone Day” by many, but that doesn’t make it totally true. There are many ways to have fun on this day, even if you are spending it single. There is no reason to deem February 14th the day to spend locked inside your room accompanied by pizza and drowning in your sorrows. You can take control of the day, have fun with friends, and make it a memorable time.

People in relationships also have to deal with the stress of deciding what to do on their date. The buildup for this romantic holiday seems to be growing progressively each year, and couples who have been dating for a long time find themselves wondering if they could top the dates they have planned previous years. To help plan for this year, here are some ideas for dates with your significant other or friends:

General scale of price ranges for the date ideas:
$=cheap ($0-20)
$$=fairly affordable and reasonable ($20-50)
$$$=very expensive (over $50)

For couples: The ultimate question that comes along every Valentine’s Day: What should I plan? It is a constant struggle to decide where the line is drawn for too expensive or too cheap.

1. Video game day ($): The first step to a perfect video game day is to make sure your girlfriend or boyfriend actually enjoys video games. The second is to make sure you have a wide variety of games to play, so you are prepared if one game grows old. Make the day a bit more special by sprucing up the room a bit, getting nice blankets and pillows on the couch, and yummy snacks. Let it be a day of competitive fun with pizza to top it off at the end. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a day of huge spending, and as long as both of you enjoy video games, this could be an equally fun date without all the frilly details.
2. Dinner and movie at home ($-$$): The price range of this idea depends on how many groceries you already have at home. Pick a dish that would be a general crowd-pleaser and check with your date to see what he or she enjoys. You could show off your cooking expertise by crafting a meal for your boyfriend/girlfriend or cooking something lovely together. It doesn’t have to be an extremely fancy meal, because both of you will have fun cooking together and enjoying your night. Pick your significant other’s favorite movie to watch while eating dinner. Give yourselves a break and cheat by buying some cookies and ice cream to make ice cream sandwiches, the perfect no-fuss dessert.
3. Ice skating ($$): There are many different places to ice skate around here, and there is even the option to go to downtown Chicago and skate in the Millennium Park or Maggie Daley Park ice rinks. Take this as an opportunity to have a laugh at your collective skating abilities and have fun in the cold. If you happen to go into the city, there is also the perfect opportunity to sightsee a bit. And maybe even add in some hot cocoa.
4. Dinner at a fancy restaurant ($$-$$$): The most classic and cliché of date night ideas, but still one of the most versatile, comes in for idea number four. There are so many restaurant options in Vernon Hills alone. Sometimes the sheer number of options can be daunting, but it is simple once you narrow it down to a handful of restaurants. You could go to an exotic restaurant to try a different cuisine, or you could stick with the tried and true and pick a nearby Italian or sushi restaurant for the perfect, worry-free date. The restaurant doesn’t have to be too fancy and the public setting will break the ice, and you and your date will find yourselves talking and laughing the whole night. Remember that it is Valentine’s Day and many restaurants are sure to be crowded. Make a reservation beforehand so that no seating disasters happen on your perfect night.
5. Cooking classes ($$$): There are various locations nearby that offer cooking classes for couples. Sur La Table, for example, has locations at the Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie and in Northbrook Court. There are also classes you can attend at Williams-Sonoma which has locations in Deer Park, Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Skokie. The classes will teach you basic cooking and baking skills and/or teach you how to cook different dishes from around the world. There are even specific “Date Night” classes that you can attend with your partner that teach you how to cook 3-course meals. Sign up for the (one-night) class that most interests you and your date for a fun, hands-on experience. (Little tip: As the date gets closer, if the classes aren’t filled up, the prices for classes drop. However, Valentine’s Day classes may be a bit tighter, so take that into consideration.)

For friends: There are as many ways to have fun on Valentine’s Day without a date as there are with one. Make this day a way for you to contemplate the great points about being single. This year can be different, and you can take charge of the way your day goes. Don’t spend it at home when you can have fun with friends.  

1. Movie marathon ($): Grab all your favorite movies, a group of friends, and as many snacks as you can, and this will become the ultimate pig-out fun fest. Spend the whole night laughing through classic oldies like High School Musical or introduce yourselves to some new material. You could also make this your Disney night and watch all your childhood favorites in a row.
2. Shopping date ($-$$): This is the day to shop til’ you drop and treat yourself; relieve your stress with shopping therapy! Bringing friends to judge the various items you want to buy is the best way to shop. There are also many convenient food courts and restaurants at all shopping malls for when you need a little break. There are so many different places to go shopping, so plan out the stores you want to visit before you go on your shopping mission with your friends.
3. Baking day ($-$$): The price range of this plan depends on how many ingredients you already have at home. Bake different cakes, cookies, or any other desserts that you want. Use recipes that are traditional, or use this as a time to experiment with a recipe you have always wanted to try. Take this as a day to bake tons of different treats and get your friends to taste test them all.
4. Bowling day ($-$$): Bowling is a great way to entertain a large group of friends. Form teams and play competitive games, or just play for fun. The local Brunswick has a snack bar and Cosmic Bowling, making it the perfect plan for a group of both boys and girls.
5. Sleepover and brunch the next day ($-$$): This sleepover can be the ultimate pamper night for you and your friends. Everyone should bring their own face masks and have fun trying different ones. Spend the rest of the night having a blast and doing all the usual sleepover rituals, like watching movies, eating junk food, and talking all night long. The next morning, a day off of school for President’s Day, gives the perfect opportunity for you all to wake up as late as you want and then go have breakfast at one of the various brunch places around here: IHOP, Walker Brothers, Egg Harbor, Wildberry, etc. Or you could get breakfast foods at a nearby bakery and have a pastry breakfast once everyone wakes up.

Some may view Valentine’s Day as one of the most overrated days every year; it has become a day labeled for commercial gifts and huge displays of love, loneliness and self pity. However, that is not what Valentine’s Day is really about. It is a day of love and to reflect on your care for the different people in your life, whether it be your boyfriend/girlfriend or your friends. Whether you are spending this day single or taken, seize this Valentine’s Day and take action with your day plans. Happy Valentine’s Day!