Growing up, Valentine’s Day was completely off the radar for me. February 14 also happens to be my mum’s birthday, so my parents never celebrated Valentine’s Day (and still don’t) which seems fair enough to me.

It continued to be quite the non-event for me until I started working in the public service back at the start of 2006. As a graduate, I was still pretty new to the game on February 14 and was still putting my best foot forward, acting super professional at all times (which for me means not cracking any dad jokes or making any double entendres). I have to admit I was pretty shocked when V Day rolled around, and the professional group I had seen up to this point started squealing as the bouquets arrived for girls in the office.

I worked in a very female-heavy area and, woah, was the competition stiff! I was completely shocked that more than 10 girls had huge arrangements turn up and there was much discussion about what the cards said and how lucky they were. People who had previously only talked to me about project milestones and key performance indicators were suddenly patting my hand and giving me “chin up” encouragements when they heard I was single. I just felt plain confused, like I was on the outside of some huge phenomenon that I knew nothing about. Turns out that was exactly the case.

Flash forward to 2014 and a lot has changed in my life, including the exciting fact I’m getting married this year. In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, people around me are again getting a bit squeal-y and asking my how I’m spending V Day now that I’m engaged. Still not a huge devotee to Cupid and his arrows, I’ll be meeting up with my mum for her birthday, actually, but I cannot help but think of all those girls out there in Canberra who will be getting their hand patted on February 14.

Here are five ways Canberra will be ruined, and five ways to win Valentine’s Day the single way on Friday:

1 You can’t get into the movies for love nor money

Because hot tip: one of the best ways to show you love someone is by sitting in a dark room not talking to them. Seriously, even the summer outdoor movie theatres in this town are booked out!

This is definitely the night to make the most of your home movie theatre, where being alone means you get to pick the movie YOU want to watch (and you don’t have to hear the sounds of the middle aged couple reliving their teenage cinema years together). And being able to download through iTunes means no judgement: just pure satisfaction. I’d give you recommendations of what to watch but I’m far too embarrassed of my alone-movie preferences *cough’meangirls’cough*.

2 All the restaurants are booked

And even if you can get in, they are all set up like Noah’s Ark, tables two by two filled with soppy people holding hands and ordering the couples menu special.

If you want a meal out without the couples, then the best option for you could be to head to Capital and Co at Rydges Capital Hill where there will be $5 food, beer, wine and spirits. With no romance and no reservations required, this sounds like just the ticket.

3 They’ve invaded the pubs and bars!

Usually the drinking holes of Canberra are a safe haven for singles, but definitely not on Valentine’s. To avoid the love crush at your usual local, why not try out the Valentine’s single night at the Kremlin Bar? For your entry price of $60, you’ll get to meet new people, sample canapes and get drinks on arrival. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance so you’ll be doing a good deed too. Win!

And if you can’t face the city, then you could always try out the Duxton, where they’ll be having a Singles Mingle. Early bird ticket special is $39(+ booking fee) per person and includes a 1 hour bar package, free canapés and basic beer, wine and soft drink from 7pm until 8pm.

4 Even the supermarkets are in on it.

We’ve all experienced Christmas decorations for sale in September and hot cross buns out in January, but now it looks like we all have to deal with Valentine paraphernalia at the supermarket too. I didn’t realise so many perishable items could come in a heart shape… not to even mention the half-wilted single roses for over $10 a pop!

This is the one where you can really be the winner. Push that strawberry filled loveheart chocolate out of the way and grab your standard Cadbury’s or Lindt (whichever you prefer). While those loved up suckers pay a mark-up of 500% for lovey dovey treats, you’ll be scoring the chocolate bargains. Nom nom nom. 

5 Your girlfriends are all busy too.

Usually, you can rely on your besties to get you through almost anything right? But then on the one night of the year when you want to hang with your ladies, they’re allowed to put their bro before their ‘ho, so to speak. But if you can’t beat em, join em right?

Find out what you are missing out on by heading down to the National Museum for their Night at the Museum: Love.

While undoubtedly there will be couples there, there will also be music, games, objects art and food to keep you occupied while you try and work out what love’s got to do with it. And if you get overwhelmed, you can always go into the silent disco and close your eyes. Soon, it will all be over for another year.