Valentine’s Day: the best or worst day of the year for people across the country. Depending on your relationship status, this may be the day that you experience the worst FOMO of your life. With that being said, here are some outstanding date ideas to sweep your valentine off their feet.

A fool proof date: Even the most romantically challenged teenager can’t go wrong with a classic movie night. Curl up near the fire with a romantic classic, hot chocolate, and your perfect valentine. Some movie suggestions include: The Notebook, Hitch, Titanic, or Valentine’s Day.

A basic date: Though you run the risk of encountering other unimaginative couples, nobody can deny the seasonal fun of ice skating. If you are confident that you won’t embarrass yourself in front of your date, ice skating is an amazing way to get to know your date and make fun, hot chocolate-accompanied memories. 

A sentimental date: For those of you living it up in love town, recreating your first date is the PERFECT Valentine’s Day date. Remind your valentine of the first fun time you shared to show them how special they really are.

An outdoorsy date: For those of you craving some time in the fresh air, take your valentine on a bike ride and surprise them with a picnic on the water. Enjoy your favorite foods, and warm your granola hearts. Picking a location that isn’t too far is a good idea since that bike ride back up to Tenleytown can be brutal (especially if the picnic portion doesn’t go as planned). The National Mall and the lawn near the Capitol or Washington Monument is a perfect middleground. 

A culinary date: If you can’t get a reservation anywhere, make your valentine a nice dinner at home. Cooking for your date is another amazing option to show originality with the dish and the time and care to make the night special. The one requirement is to make sure you can cook– don’t push it. If your comfort zone is pasta, this is not the time to try a new recipe. A dinner with some nice music and quality time together is a recipe for a good night (pun intended).

A lonely date: For those who will not be participating in Valentine’s Day festivities (probably 90 percent of the school) there is always next year! If you want to stay in the spirit, you can have a romantic comedy marathon by yourself and think about how much better the day will be a year from now. While the marathon commences, you can use the cliche hopeless romantics from the movie to brainstorm for 2024. You can always save this article for when that special time does occur because it will! Or don’t listen to me, I’m only the love doctor; what would I know? •