Valentine’s Day for Everyone: A Campus Guide for Nearby Events and Solo Adventures
- The Core Issue
- Feb 8
- 3 min read
By Izzy Orpurt
Valentine’s Day is not just for those in relationships. It is a day for everyone to express appreciation, share kindness, and celebrate connections, regardless of relationship status. Many people celebrate their friendships in a version of the holiday, calling it “Galentine’s Day” or “Palentine’s Day.” Others spend the day taking time to themselves, practicing self-love by pampering oneself and focusing on self-care. I’ve even heard of some using the day to practice their love for humanity by helping those in need. Love comes in many forms, so take the day to celebrate it! Here are some Valentine-themed events in our local area:
on February 13 from 5-8 pm
“This event is free of charge and open to everyone. It will feature art-making activities, games, refreshments, and a live storytelling competition.” If you’re a bit of a cynic of Valentine’s Day, this event is probably for you. ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’ can have a different meaning for many. It could mean rejecting the traditional sense of the holiday, which typically consists of celebrating romantic relationships rather than other forms of love. It could also mean rejection of the commercialism that comes with the holiday, such as mass-marketed products, decor, and materialistic displays of affection. Personally, I’m very interested to see how Ball State's David Owsley Museum of Art represents ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day.’
on February 8 from 10 am-3 pm
The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse will be offering an orchid-themed scavenger hunt, which sounds both entertaining and educational. They will also offer the opportunity to create nature-themed cards. Even if you do not want to participate in these activities, the greenhouse is a wonderful place with a variety of plants, animals, and useful information. Adoring flowers is a regular Valentine’s Day ritual, so I definitely encourage you to visit and enjoy the romantic beauty of nature!
on February 13-14 from 10 am-4 pm
“Looking for a unique and heartfelt Valentine’s Day gift? The Ball State Glass Guild is holding a small Valentine’s Day Sale in AJ, right in front of the bookstore!” There are a variety of handmade creations including jewelry, ornaments, and more. If you’d like to keep up with the Glass Guild, they often host sales at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, sharing their creative glasswork with the community. Also, the Glick Center for Glass, located on campus, is open to the public and showcases a variety of beautiful, unique glass art.
On February 14
Charles W. Brown Planetarium will be offering a variety of shows on Valentine’s Day. They are showing "Accidental Astronauts" at 3:30pm, "Big Astronomy" at 5pm, and "The Universe Overhead" at 6:30pm. I personally went to “The Universe Overhead” and enjoyed all of the interesting celestial facts. For Valentine’s Day, there was a focus on the constellations and their partners, such as Orion and Scorpius.
If you do not have anyone to spend the day with or would just rather spend it alone, there are still many ways you can romanticize and enjoy the day. Here’s a short list of things you can do to practice more self-love:
Go on a solo date: intentionally take yourself out to do enjoyable activities, treat yourself with the same care as you would a partner, and enjoy your own company.
Go on a picnic, frequent your favorite restaurant, make way to the movies, or visit an art gallery.
Spend time with your pet (if you do not have any pets, try to find a nearby animal and just enjoy its company - volunteering at a local animal shelter is a great way to benefit yourself and the community).
Buy something for yourself (I recommend flowers because they are a staple for Valentine’s Day. They are also pretty and fragrant).
Have a nice spa day: buy some face masks, take a bubble bath, get cozy, maybe even get a massage.
Have a movie marathon of all the movies you love.
Send cards to friends and family - remind those you love that you appreciate them.
Listen to your favorite songs and spend time outdoors - take in the fresh air and the surrounding world.
Read a book to immerse yourself in a good story, and cook a comfort meal for relaxation.
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