Forget, for a moment, about buying candy, jewelry, and flowers for a sweetheart.

There is a richer meaning that could be found on this special day, particularly for those who are single.

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Sure, for couples, there is a lot of pressure to do something — to acknowledge to your valentine you’re thinking of this special person. For singles, it’s really just another day, maybe a day to just sleep through altogether

There are a lot of ways to make yourself and others feel good if you’re single, however. How about getting your favorite ice cream and favorite movie, and using the day to indulge in what exactly suits your personal tastes?

Grab a friend, or all your single friends, and go out to dinner.

Treat each other. There’s nothing better than a glass of wine with friends, and the laughs and memories created will surely make it a great Valentine’s Day.

If you don’t have a special someone yet, how about remembering a military spouse? Drop off a box of chocolates, a gift card for movie tickets, or some beautiful flowers. Offer to babysit the kids, so Mom or Dad can have a break — or send over a meal. Say “thank you” for their sacrifice on the home front on Valentine’s Day, as well as their military spouse’s.

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If you find yourself without options, why not visit a senior center and bring along a heart-shaped cake? These are easy to find in any supermarket, and just the thought means so much to the elderly — who wistfully remember holidays with those now gone.

“Valentine’s Day can be very lonely for us singles,” a 20-something from Baltimore, Maryland, told LifeZette. “Honestly, some of my best times on Valentine’s Day have been going to visit my grandmother in assisted living — my mother always makes cupcakes with little hearts on them for all the residents on her floor. The looks on their faces, for something so simple, is priceless. Maybe none of us are as lonely as these older people get.”

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This can be a costly day. For married friends on a budget, offer to do laundry, cook dinner, or take care of the kids, in effect offering a free and well-deserved break.

Related: For the Sweetest Valentine’s Day, Go ‘Small’

And just for kicks, check out some fun facts about this holiday:

  • 250 million: estimated number of roses grown for Valentine’s Day
  • 220,000: average number of proposals on Valentine’s Day each year
  • First: rank of Valentine’s Day among holidays for fresh flower and plant purchases; roughly 40 percent of all holiday spending on flowers is for Valentine’s Day
  • 25 percent: percentage of people who dine out on Valentine’s Day, making it the second most popular dining holiday after Mother’s Day
  • 145 million: number of Valentine’s Day cards bought every year
  • 1913: year that Hallmark first offered Valentine’s Day cards; the company began mass-production in 1916
  • 1537: year that Henry VIII, the king of England, officially declared February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day

In years to come, your Valentine’s Day may be shared with a special someone. While you are single, do your community a favor and give your time, generosity and “heart” on February 14 to those who truly need you.

This article originally appeared last year in LifeZette and has been updated.