People either look forward to spending Valentine’s Day with their significant other and receiving cute teddy bears and chocolates, or they dread the month of February altogether because it reminds them they are single. The truth is, it does not have to be one way or the other.

Valentine’s Day is about taking the time to show the people you care about that they are important to you. This does not necessarily mean gifts. It could simply mean clearing time out of your day to spend quality time with someone. Either way, here are some fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day for both single people and people in a relationship:

1. A best-friend date:

Who better to show some extra appreciation on V-Day than your BFF? They are always there for you, they keep your secrets and you know you always end up having a good time. Treat yourselves to mani pedis, go to that restaurant you two have been craving (do not skip over dessert because we all know you both want that brownie sundae) and maybe even hit the mall afterwards. With a fresh manicure, good food and new clothes, who would even care if they do not have a boyfriend???

2. A long-distance date:

Being in a long-distance relationship is tough. Especially when you cannot spend special occasions together, such as Valentine’s Day. However, you owe it to your boyfriend or girlfriend to make the most of what you can do. If the distance is too long to meet somewhere in the middle for a date, then create an extra special FaceTime date. I’m sure if you are in a long-distance relationship then you both are very familiar with FaceTime. Think of ways to make this FaceTime date different from the rest. One idea is that both of you can cook dinner together while you are facetiming. If you both make the same thing you can see whose looks better. Afterwards, pick a movie to watch on Netflix and facetime while you both watch it. Putting in the effort to make it special, even with the circumstances, will show how much you care!

3. A family date:

As we get older we tend to become more involved in our own lives and have less time to spend with our families. If this is the case, then what better opportunity to show your family how much they mean to you than to plan a family night. You can order take out, watch movies, play board games or anything you all used to do before everyone became so busy. Either way, it will be the break from all the craziness in our lives that everyone needs from time-to-time.

4. The ultimate ‘Netflix and chill':

By the time the weekend comes, most of us would rather spend it in our sweatpants on the couch than out to dinner in a crowded restaurant. In order to get a reservation at a nice restaurant Valentine’s Day weekend, you would need to call at least two weeks in advance. To avoid the rush, spend Valentine’s Day the relaxing way, at home, in sweats, not waiting in lines and certainly not waiting a half hour for your appetizer to come out. Either make dinner, or to make it even less of a hassle, order take-out. Stock up on snacks and candy and have a movie marathon! Now this is something to look forward to!

5. A "you" day:

There are a lot of people who spend their days worrying about work and other people without taking the time to cater to their own needs. While it may sound like being selfless is a good trait to have, it is still important to take care of yourself. This Valentine’s Day, dedicate the day to doing whatever it is you want. If you want to go to the gym to relieve some stress, go for it! If you want to read a new book, pick it up and don’t put it down until you want to. Valentine’s Day this year is a day for you to show yourself some love and attention!

However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day is up to you. Do not let people lead you to believe that you need to go to dinner and a movie with a significant other to have a proper Valentine’s Day!