Why you should treat yourself this Valentine's Day

Flickr/Prasad Pillai

When it comes to the holiday-industrial complex that is Valentine's Day, many people just want to opt out — especially if you're, well, single.

107 million Americans over the age of 18 are single, according to the US Census Bureau — that's about 44% of all Americans over 18. Meanwhile, almost $19 billion will be spent this year on Valentine's gifts and experiences, according to U.S. News. A lot of that spending comes from dating couples, of course, as spending on the holiday drops off precipitously over the age of 44. 

But maybe it's time to think about Valentine's Day as something more than just an explosion of pink roses, lacy lingerie, and fleeting romance.

Instead, let's celebrate singlehood. Your relationship with yourself is the most important relationship of all, so for all the singles out there: this Valentine's Day, you've earned the privilege to treat yourself to the good life.

Need ideas? We've got you covered. Some things are best done alone, anyway.

Spend an impromptu night at a luxe hotel.

Sometimes, the best getaways are the simplest ones.

Apps like HotelTonight will help you get unbeatable deals on last-minute lodgings — perfect for a solo adventure into a dreamland of crisp white sheets and blissful silence.  High above the noise and bustle of the city, sink into a hot, private bath and thank your lucky stars you get to be single as you flip through TV channels, landing on whatever your heart desires.

Oh, and don't forget to order room service.

Deck yourself out in customized accessories.

When it comes to the little things — cuff-links and money clips for the guys, necklaces and cosmetics bags for the girls — an engraved or embroidered monogram can take an accessory from basic to classic. Personal brand, after all, is everything.

For women, take a page out of the Carrie Bradshaw playbook and order a personalized necklace. BaubleBar offers a wide selection of different styles, from ornate scripts to contemporary bars, for a reasonable price.

For men, an engraved money clip from Tiffany & Co. is a subtle and useful piece of hardware.

Become your own bartender.

Who says you can't drink alone? Perfect your bartending skills by picking up your favorite poison and all of the fixings you need to make a consistently great cocktail, including whatever additional liqueurs, tools, or garnishes that a professional mixologist would use in your recipe of choice. To complete the full bar experience, be sure to have the right drinking vessels on hand. That means snagging some copper mugs if you're a Moscow Mule fan, or for the champagne lover, popping by a vintage furniture store for unusual cut-crystal flutes. 

Then sit back, take a sip, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.