If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, don’t settle for another night of solo Netflix and chill. Single ladies and dudes can celebrate, too.
Below, five alternative holidays from around the world to observe in lieu of Valentine’s Day this year.
1. Singles Awareness Day
In the U.S., we have “Singles Awareness Day” — yep, the acronym spells SAD — a humorous anti-Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14 or 15, depending on your preference. On these days, singles toast their uncoupled status — or just give big ups to their fellow singles on Facebook.
2. Ystävänpäivä or Friendship Day
Finland has a more platonic take on Valentine’s Day: February 14 is considered Ystävänpäivä or “Friendship Day”, which is marketed as a celebration of friends and lovers. (We’d recommend adopting this holiday if you’re looking for an occasion to hand out those “Ovaries Before Brovaries” valentines to your besties.)
3. Black Day
April 14 in Korea is known as Black Day, a holiday where singles gather in local restaurants and drown their sorrows in cheap, but delicious bowls of jajangmyeon — a Chinese-Korean noodle dish swimming in chunky black bean sauce, and topped with pork and veggies. The holiday has gained prominence over the last decade, and we can’t say we’re surprised. It’s hard to be sad about being single when you’re dipping into a bowl of something that delicious. (And yes, we know this holiday is in April but noodles this yummy should be eaten all year round.)
4. Single’s Day
November 11 marks Singles’ Day in China, an unofficial holiday that started in the 1990s as a protest to Valentine’s Day and that’s now a day where singles buy stuff — a lot of stuff — for themselves. In 2013, China’s biggest online shopping company took in more than $5.75 billion in online payments on Single’s Day — two and a half times the total American retailers netted on Cyber Monday the same year. (We’re guessing these boyfriend body pillows are a big seller.)
5. International Quirkyalone Day
Another option for singles looking to get in on the celebratory action on February 14? International Quirkyalone Day, a “do-it-yourself celebration of romance, friendship, and independent spirit,” according to the official site. The founder of the event swears her holiday is not an anti-Valentine’s Day; instead, it’s a “celebration of all kinds of love: romantic, platonic, familial, and yes, self-love.” In other words, it’s a day to do whatever you want, with whoever you want. We can get behind that.
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