Singles Awareness Day - An Alternative to Valentine's Day

As leaves swirled from the trees and fall settled into winter, we have once again come to the time of year where we pull down the Christmas lights and recycle the uncorked bottles of champaign as a new year dawns. Then, before you know it, February appears right around the corner. Valentine's Day. February 14^th for those of you who need a reminder. A day for candy, flowers and romance. A day that can and will create panic attacks in men around the world as they search for that perfect romantic gift or dinner for their significant other. The one day men try to impress and sweep their spouse or love off their feet. The one day to get it right if they don't want to spend the night on the couch.

It's also a day that reminds those who are single that they are in fact; single. Just the thing singles need to remind them of post Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations they attended with no date.

Not to despair. Hope is eternal when love is in the air and now there is a holiday just for you. Singles Awareness Day or SAD, ( for those who speak in the coded language of Twitter). Don't look for it on the calendar. It's not there, but it's been observed lately either on the day before or the day after Valentine's Day. Check your local area to see if there are any parties planned this year. Some hotels, especially in larger cities have had parties and dancing in the past. Due to the slow economy this year, however, many may forgo planned events. If there are no events in your area, do your own. You're single with the world at your fingertips. Be creative and have some fun.

Singles Awareness Day is believed to have been started by Mississippi State University student, Dustin Barnes, who had no date for the Valentine's Day dance.

Two attorneys from Arkansas and Kentucky, John Byrd and John E. Norman hold the trademark for Single Awareness Day and Singles Awareness Day. This according to the USPTO website.

SAD is a day for singles to unite and rebel against the sugary holiday cards and candy hearts of Valentine's Day. For anyone who feels left out or alone on Cupid's day, don't feel bad. Take advantage of the day and call up your best single friends and take to the streets in celebration of the single life. Plan a party for your single friends. Go dancing or out to eat. Check in on a movie. You might want to stick with a good adventure or sci - fi movie and avoid that chick flick one that's currently playing. There's only one rule you have to remember. No couples. Singles only.

Another fun activity you can do on SAD is take someone you love on an afternoon of shopping. Anyone special to you, your mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, or your best friend in the whole wide world. Like Valentine's Day, Single Awareness Day should be a day to spend time with the ones who are close to you. No rules, no fancy dates or cards, no couples.

Some prefer to throw parties where people can mingle and search for that special someone. You never know where love may grow and bloom.

However you chose to celebrate Singles Awareness Day, remember that being single is not a curse. Nor is it a time to be sad. Celebrate the joy of life as a single and keep your eyes and heart open for that perfect mate you've yet to meet. Next year could be your first Valentine's Day with a new love.

The History of Valentine's Day, History.com

Single Awareness Day, Holiday Insights

Singles Awareness Day, Wikipedia