Valentine’s Day – do you love it or hate it? For those who are happily single Valentine’s Day with the displays of flowers and chocolates everywhere is at best an annoyance. If you’ve recently been through a break up, they can make you feel miserable. Even if you are part of a couple, but not someone who enjoys flamboyant displays of affection, Valentine’s Day can be anxiety-inducing.

However, whatever your reason for disliking Valentine’s Day, you don’t have to ignore it entirely. Why not have an Anti-Valentine’s Day? You can do this whether you are single or part of a couple (though check if your partner feels the about Valentine’s Day to avoid any misunderstandings!) Here are some ideas of how you can have fun celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day.

1. Treat yourself to a massage

Ignore all the hearts and flowers in the shops, hole up at home and book yourself a massage – it’s a great way to reward your body for everything you put it through everyday. Why wait for someone to treat you? Treat yourself – you deserve it! Use the time during the massage to clear your mind and concentrate on being thoroughly relaxed. If winding down is proving to be too difficult, focus your thoughts on trying to untangle that to-do list and reflect on a handful of fun plans you’re looking forward to. You could even invite a friend to have a massage with you (side by side massages aren’t just for couples!) and chat about something entirely non Valentine’s Day related as you enjoy your treatments.

2. Go to an Anti-Valentine’s Day party

The concept of Anti-Valentine’s Day parties is a growing trend  – parties for single people who don’t want to be bothered by having to look at loved-up couples all evening are held all over the country on Valentine’s Day. For example, among other things, in London for this year’s Anti-Valentine’s you could play UV ping-pong, enjoy a singles’ cinema night or go to a Battle of the Sexes stand up comedy show.  Have a look online to find out what’s happening in your area – or throw a party of your own for your single friends and less Valentine’s inclined couple friends. There’ll be guaranteed no hearts, roses or love songs, you’ll have a fun night out and – who knows? You might even meet some new people.

3. Do something cultural – visit a museum or gallery with a friend

Many of us love to take city breaks and visit new places – it can be easy to overlook what’s in the city you actually live in. Chances are there’ll be a museum, gallery or other attraction that you haven’t yet visited – or at least a new exhibition you haven’t yet seen. Have a look what’s on and invite a friend or two along. Enjoying something cultural and doing something away from your normal routine can help you focus on the bigger picture. You don’t need someone to give you a huge Valentine’s card to be happy – there are other things to enjoy.

4. Have an Anti-Valentine’s Day movie night.

Invite some friends over, get some popcorn and ice-cream in, open some booze and indulge in a film night – watching films without a love-interest story thread only, of course. Good genres to try include horror, action, sci-fi or film noir . There’s nothing like Species, Oldboy or a bit of the great Hitchcock to really kill the romance!

5. Prepare an Anti-Valentine’s feast.

There are certain foods you’d probably never order on a first date or if you were trying to impress a new partner. Choose some of your favourite foods that are impossible to eat in an attractive manner and make yourself a feast – maybe spaghetti bolognese, pizza, burritos or a burger. Take time to prepare them exactly as you like – you might even want to set the table and pour some drinks. Then put on some old clothes and eat it! It doesn’t matter if it drips or splashes – enjoy it. You can share it with friends or eat it all by yourself – the choice is yours. You could also combine this with an Anti-Valentine’s movie night.

Now isn’t that better than sitting in a cramped and overpriced restaurant on Valentine’s Day?