Chronicle Books Blog

Valentines Day is an occasion to celebrate those we love. Trouble is, if you are single it can really be a drag. Not just in a feel-sorry-for-yourself-for-having-no-one kind of way, but it can also be infinitely annoying as all the coupled-up folks flaunt their “good fortune.” People who don’t know will ask what your plans are for the day. Somehow, “staying home and doing my taxes” seems like a lackluster answer. In the office, single women contend with the never-ending parade of bouquets deliveries to co-workers. I suppose men do, too, but I have yet to meet a guy who confided that he was disappointed at not receiving flowers.

Before I run the risk of driving you off with what seems to be a “boo-hoo, Valentines Day is lame” post, I want to say that Valentines Day can actually be fun for single folk. Singlehood should be celebrated for the freedom it affords. And when you find that special someone, you can celebrate couplehood. But until then, hold your own Un-Valentines Day Party.

Here are some ideas for hosting a fabulous shebang of a party.

VENUE
Avoid restaurants (moon-eyed couples) and bars (sad, drunk folks) and host it at a home. Invite single friends via email or with a clever invite. Remember, this isn’t a parting gift, this is the Grand Prize, so do it right! Be clear that your paired-up friends are NOT INVITED. They already have something to do on that day. If not, well, that is for another blog post entirely.

FOOD & DRINKS
Like any party, you need to keep the guests happy with some refreshments. Depending upon your inclination, you can go all-out with homemade food or get something at the grocery. There’s no reason to not add a pinch of irony to your buffet table. Make cookies using a heart-shaped cookie-cuter and cut them in half to resemble a broken heart. Or get more literal and make mushrooms with a combo chicken/artichoke heart stuffing. Of course, cheese, wine, and tasty fruit can complement your drink choices. Cocktails are hands-on and will have guests interacting. To celebrate your freedom from the “old ball-n-chain” why not try the Cuba Libre, with the recipe excerpted from the new book Rum Drinks:

Cuba Libre
“Free Cuba” is an intriguing name for a drink that is reputed to go back to before the turn of the twentieth century. It’s thought that the sentiment came about at the time of the Spanish-American war. That would make sense and parallel Coca-Cola’s rise to fame and fortune. The lime flavor is sometimes enhanced by adding a twist of peel to the glass.
Ice cubes
2 ounces (1/4 cup) white rum, such as Bacardi Light or Havana Club
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) freshly squeezed strained lime juice
Coca-Cola
1 slice lime
Place ice cubes in a highball glass. Add the rum and lime juice and top with Coke. Stir to mix and garnished with the lime slice. Serve immediately.
Makes 1 drink

ENTERTAINMENT
Good friends, food, and drinks—check! The next step is entertainment to keep the party interesting. First, create a fun playlist that is populated with single-positive songs. Your guests will appreciate the humor. Some suggestions:

What’s Love Got to do with It – Tina Turner
D.I.V.O.R.C.E. – Dolly Parton
So in Love – Curtis Mayfield
Love Stinks – J. Giles Band
Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Bad Romance – Lady GaGa
Ever Fallen in Love with Someone – Buzzcocks
Everyday I Love You Less and Less – Kaiser Chiefs
You Give Love a Bad Name – Bon Jovi

If you want to go low-key, why not relax with some popcorn and watch a film? No sappy RomComs! Choose a film that will make you happy to sleep alone that evening:

Play Misty for Me: Clint Eastwood tormented by an obsessed fan
Fatal Attraction: Michael Douglas tormented by an obsessed fling
Sleeping with the Enemy: Julia Roberts chooses being single rather than married (to a psycho)

Horror films, comedies, Star Wars; pick something fun and laugh it up!

GAMES
Mix it up and get your friends interacting with some fun games.

“No You Didn’t”
Hand out paper and pencil to your attendees. Have them write down the most embarrassing thing they have done in a breakup. Collect them, read out loud and then vote on the most outlandish. Award an appropriate prize like The Worst Case Scenario Pocket Handbook: Breakups. You’ll be surprised at how underhanded and sneaky your friends can be. Be thankful that you aren’t dating any of these people!

“Loser in Love”
Everyone has acted like a puppy dog at some time. Create a list of questions with Yes/No answers that call out such behavior. Some suggestions:

• Have you ever done a “drive-by” to see if your crush is home?
• Have you ever ditched a fun night with friends for a boring night with someone you fancy?
• Have you ever picked up a new hobby/interest just to impress a love interest?

You get the idea. Those with the most Yes answers get a consolation prize for being such a pushover.

GET TO IT
Valentines Day isn’t like a tornado, you don’t have to hunker down in the house until it blows over. Create a fun event that everyone (singles and couples) will want to attend, and you will all look forward to it next year.

April Whitney
Publicist

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