Let's face it, no one wants to be alone on Valentine's Day. Even if you are okay with being single, the 14th of February has a funny way of making you feel sorry for yourself.

But being single on Valentine's Day can be fun, exciting and full of surprises. We've come up with a survival guide for singles to get you through Valentine's this year, which doesn't involve a box of tissues or a call to your therapist...

Just get out

Get out of the house and mingle with other people. Get together with the people who do love you. Throw a party with close friends, dance the night away and forget all about it.

Or put a twist on it — if your ex was less than desirable, then throw a party called 'I'd rather be single than be with my ex'.

Invite a bunch of friends who feel the same way and have a 'Trash your ex-party'. Your friends can bring clothing, cards or old letters from their ex, to be discarded at the manner of your choice at the party. Play games and be sure to play songs such as 'I'm a survivor' and 'What's Love Got to do with it'.

Mother City

If you are single in the Mother City and you just want to go out and enjoy yourself this Valentine's Day, then go to the Caledon hotel and Spa and enjoy the Kookwaterfees. This festival is ideal for single people. The day will be filled with fun games and sporty items to entertain the visitors. There will be shows by Andriette Munro, Wicus van de Merwe, Pieter Koen and Lianie May.
The entrance fee is R100 for adults and R70 for children. For more information contact +27 28 214 5309.

A good laugh can work wonders when you are nursing a broken heart because it gets your mind off things. This show promises to do just that. 'Valentine's Day with Mark Simpson' will take a hard look at love. Catch Simpson at the Cape Farmhouse Restaurant at 6.30pm.
Book now at +27 21 780 1246 or visit www.farmhouse.co.za

SA's playground

Instead of renting 'Priscilla Queen of Desert' again this year, head down to the Rendezvous Night Club in Durban for their Singles Night Gay and Lesbian party on the 12 February. There will be great music and a beautiful ambiance. The entrance fee is R100 per person.
Contact them on +27 74 174 3174.

If you are not in the party mood don't despair because What's On Event Management together with Mangwanani African Day Spa are hosting a pre-Valentine's dinner and Pamper Evening. The event is for 'Woman with Style' at the Cost of Dreams, Durban Exhibition Centre on 13 February. This will be a great opportunity to socialise, seek new business opportunities make new friends, get pampered and enjoy some light entertainment. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the Highway Hospice in Durban.
Call Shirin Bhayat on +27 31 208 0407 for more details.

City of gold

Jozi will be buzzing with activities this Valentine's — which means there won't be time for moping around. For those single people in the City of Gold, there will be a Singles' only Valentine's Event in Soweto. You have to be over 21 years old, single and tired of it.
Contact mposh@mailbox.co.za

Please don't play Nora Jones over and over again as it will only depress you rather make your way to the Civilised 6.2. This concert promises to be off the hook. 'Be my Rock 'n Roll Valentine's', will be held on the 14 February at the Bohemian, Corner Park and Menton Roads, Richmond in Johannesburg. The line-up includes Martin Rocka, Sickshop and the Death Valley Blues Band.
The entrance fee is R30 and the show kicks off at 9pm. Call +27 11 482 1725 for more details.

The Festival of Roses will be hosting three days of music from the 13 to 15 of February. On Friday it will be 'My Bloody Valentines' which is an alternative to Valentine's Day — it is dedicated to unrequited love, lost love and broken. There will be live performances from the best metal bands in South Africa and the top rock alternative deejays. It promises to demolish all the anger and tears. R60 will get you in and the doors open at 7pm.

The next show at the festival, 'Cupids and Casanovas', will have two dance floors and the 'Casanovas' is especially designed for all the single people. There will be party games, drinking games, champagne giveaways and dancing competitions. Top party bands and deejays will be blazing all night. The doors open at 3pm and the entrance fee is R60, R30 before 5pm.

Go out there and have fun because you'll never know you might just bump into 'The One'.