Ah, Valentine’s Day. As a kid, it was one of the best days of the year. Your classmates basically hand-deliver candy to a little bag you have hanging on the front of your desk. It’s like Halloween…but without all the walking and the uncomfortable costume. As you grow up, however, things change. The Valentines become more selective and a sense of bitterness rises up in people. Eventually, you learn that Valentine’s Day might actually be one of the most disliked days among adults (what?!).

Every kind of chocolate you can imagine!

I’ll be honest, I never really understood the hatred. Sure, maybe the holiday has become “commercialized.” If nothing else, however, it’s pretty much a guarantee that all sorts of candy is going to be ON SALE. I’ll admit it, I can’t get enough of those coconut-filled chocolates – I don’t care if they come from some love interest or just my mother as a nice gesture. Candy is candy.

But if it’s going to take more than just some chocolatey goodness to get you through the day, keep reading. We’re bringing you a few easy tips and suggestions that will keep you grinning all day long.

It’s All About Perspective – Before you brush this off as a cliché, hear me out. Being in a relationship doesn’t have to mean submerging yourself in the other person and being single doesn’t have to mean being lonely. Quite often, people focus too much on their “relationship status” (thanks, Facebook) and forget about what actually makes them happy. Does the person you’re with make you smile every day? Then take this “holiday” as an opportunity to show them how much you appreciate them. Does being single let you have time for your own hobbies and interests? That’s something to celebrate too! It’s all about how you look at it.

Do Something Fun – Doing something you enjoy is a surefire way to improve your day, no matter who you spend it with. Sitting around sulking or putting intense pressure on having the “perfect day” is only going to make you miserable. Round up your significant other and try concocting that dish you both love or grab your roommate and treat yourselves to much-needed manicures. Problem solved!

A homemade card means smiles all around!

Show Your Appreciation – Everyone loves getting cards: birthday cards, holiday cards – you name it. Make one for whoever you are spending your day with and decorate it with things they like. They’ll be smiling all day and, in turn, you will be too.

And most importantly…. Valentines’ Day should be about love…period. Most people associate the dreaded day with romantic love, but why shouldn’t it celebrate all different kinds? If you spend the day with family, friends, or a boyfriend/girlfriend, it won’t be time wasted. Some of the best Valentine’s Days I’ve had have been spent with close friends and I wouldn’t trade that for all of the roses and candies in the world (well maybe the Russell Stover kinds…I like those).

I think it’s safe to say that not a single other day of the year brings out equal parts loathing and romance. As someone who feels fairly ambivalent about the holiday, I think I’m qualified to say that it is more than possible to escape this lovey-dovey holiday unscathed – no matter what your relationship status. So whether you’re 1/2 of a nauseatingly cheesy couple or looking forward to wearing all black on the 14th, embrace the day armed with a smile….and maybe a bag of chocolate.