Valentine's day: the one day a year when all of the mushy, lovey-dovey couples will be on public display for all of us to see. The worst part? You are not allowed to complain about their public displays of affection.

Some of us, however, won't be sharing in all of the love. Maybe this will be your first time being single by the time February 14th rolls around or maybe being single is all you've ever known. Either way, Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show yourself a little love.

Oftentimes, when people are single on Valentine's Day, they don't even try to appreciate the real purpose of the day. Do any of us really hate the idea of other couples showing each other how much they are in love? Maybe they are being a little too touchy in public, but the sentiment is always nice.

Regardless, you're single on Valentine's Day. Well, what exactly should you do?

Valentine's Day originated in the Roman Empire, where they celebrated the festival of the Lupercalia, in honor of Lupercus, an ancient Roman fertility god. Many men used to celebrate and hope that their wives would conceive on this day. One Roman tradition was to sacrifice a goat at an altar; after that, they would sit down to feast.

Now maybe animal sacrifice isn't your thing and no one can blame you for that. However, you can and should treat yourself to a large feast. Whether that means going out to eat or staying home and cooking.

Maybe you thought Thanksgiving and Christmas were the only times you could eat enough to fill yourself for a week? You would be mistaken.

Something to not do this Valentine's Day is to sneer at everything you don't like. Don't make faces at couples you see kissing. Don't flip off the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates as you're walking through that aisle in the grocery store. All of this will only make you more spiteful toward a holiday that never did anything to you.

If you're lucky enough to have an entire group of single friends, you don't even have to worry about going out alone. Go out to eat, go bowling, see a movie or even go to the club. Odds are other singles will be there, too.

Also, there is no shame in buying that heart-shaped box of chocolates for yourself. That being said, half the chocolates in those boxes are usually disgusting, but it's the thought that counts. Go ahead and pretend you have an admirer. Get some flowers for yourself while you're at it.

If none of the self-pampering sounds good to you, make it a great Valentine's Day for someone you care about. Maybe that person is your mother. Maybe your grandmother, next door neighbor or coworker. Whoever it is, let them know how much you appreciate their friendship.

Just remember that you are not the only one spending Valentine's Day without a significant other. There is no reason to run out before Wednesday to try and find yourself a date, and there's no reason to think that anything is wrong with being single, no matter your age.

Valentine's Day is a great day to celebrate those few special people you truly care about. It's as easy as sending them a card.