Valentine's Day needs no longer be just a day for lovers: independent and creative singles can have fun as well. Photo: IC

Every February 14 lovers and would-be lovers get ready to be drowned in an avalanche of cards, flowers, candy, stuffed animals and pledges of undying affection.

But let's face it. Not everyone is in love or has a relationship and Valentine's Day can be an awkward 24 hours if you're single.

You might have to dodge around the hands-holding, cuddling couples cluttering the sidewalks but you can have your own fun - make it an Anti-Valentine's Day. Here are a few light-hearted ideas from the Global Times to help you enjoy the day by yourself or with like-minded friends.

February 14 doesn't have to be exclusively Valentine's Day - there are several other commemorative days on that date but most people haven't heard of them. It is also the birthday of Jack Benny, the legendary American comedian, the US businessmen, former mayor of New York City and possible US presidential candidate, Michael Bloomberg, the US magician Teller (the other half of the Penn and Teller duo),  and Kevin Keegan, the English footballer and manager.

Valentine's Day needs no longer be just a day for lovers: independent and creative singles can have fun as well. Photo: IC

Friendship celebrated

In Finland February 14 is Ystävänpäivä or "Friendship Day" and is a celebration for friendship in every form.

In the US some now celebrate "Singles Awareness Day" - the acronym SAD is a wry commentary on the state of mind of single people for the day and can be celebrated on February 14 or 15, depending on your preference.

It has become a day when some singles set out to remind romantically inclined couples that they don't need to be in a relationship to enjoy life. It can, for some, be a perfect getaway from the Valentine's Day events by getting together with friends, not lovers, sightseeing or enjoying meals on your own.

Why not enjoy your singleness today and throw an Anti-Valentine's Day party for your friends? To ensure that it doesn't turn into a "self-pity party" you should draw up some rules and regulations at the very start. Your invitations, for example, should set the tone - cheeky and fun. "I hate this stupid holiday," accompanied by the sketch of a heart with a large X over it.

Tell the invitees no one is allowed to bring an ex or even think about an ex. You could also ban chocolate, wine or champagne and insist that black colors are the theme for the evening so have them bring Guinness and black candies and cakes.

The dress code could also be black though green is acceptable as it is the complementary color of pink and red. Some apparently even consider it the ideal Anti-Valentine's Day color. Choose a smart outfit in the best colors and let the world know you're single and celebrating it.

Your party decorations should also reflect the mood. It just takes a little flair and imagination and you can turn all those Valentine's Day decorations into the perfect party setting moods - spray paint those red roses black, make sure any hearts on the walls have a large black X throughout them and light black candles and not those romantic red and white things.

Songs to avoid

Music is important - so avoid any songs or albums that feature the words love, romance, passion, heart, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, for ever and ever, or adoration. Dear, dearest, darling and baby are also words to be avoided. Loud house music might keep Cupid at bay or a Mozart requiem mass - lovely music but not for romantics.

When serving the food make sure you serve heart cakes - but make extra sure they are broken. Soft-centered chocolates are also a treat if they have been squashed a little before being offered to the guests.

Now when the guests have all arrived it's time for the real fun. Play the "Truth about the Ex" game - you have to write on a piece of paper everything that was wrong about the ex, his or her bad habits, his or her bad behavior, their personality flaws and physical failings. And your friends do the same for their exes as well as commenting on everyone else's past companions. This is a sure way to cement friendships - or destroy them.

The good thing about Anti-Valentine's Days is that you please yourself. You don't have to do anything with anybody if you choose not to. Go out for a romantic dinner - by yourself with maybe a nice glass of wine or two and a book to keep you company (electronic tablets are also acceptable these days).

Sign up for that course you always thought was interesting but never got around to learning more about. Go and check out that quaint little water town that friends recommended months ago. Go to the gym (which is certainly not a place for lovers). A good workout will leave your heart in a much better state than if it was lost to someone else.

And one of the really good things about being single is that you only have to pay for yourself. So you can afford that yoga class, that full-day beauty treatment, that new HD television. You don't have to pay for a partner, or children, or in-laws. You only have to look after yourself.

And then, while everyone is posting lovey-dovey statements and pledging never-ending love, spam your social media pages with acerbic and bitter quotes about untrue love. The Internet can be a wonderful friend (not a lover) here.

Valentine's Day needs no longer be just a day for lovers: independent and creative singles can have fun as well. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Exchange gifts

If you do feel that this day is a good day for gifts, then do a deal with other single friends and exchange gifts among yourselves. They can be the traditional Valentine's Day conglomerate of chocolates, flowers or champagne or you could break out and do something different - buy gifts that truly reflect your friends' personalities and tastes.

Better still, if your are fairly newly single and have kept the gifts your ex bestowed, this is a good time to sell them on the Internet or even give them away at that Anti-Valentine's Day party your are throwing. There's nothing so refreshing as seeing a nice gift from a lousy lover go to a good home.