How to spend Palentine's Day

A day dedicated to celebrating your besties and all the great platonic relationships you have in your life! Here are a few options on how best you can do this on the 13th of February.

Palentines? What about Valentines?

If this is your first time hearing about Palentine's day then it basically spawned from the fact that we have a day for romantic love (Valentine's day), but none for platonic love! So that needed fixing. It takes place on the day before Valentine's day and is becoming increasingly popular as a day worth celebrating. Now, this doesn't mean you can't do both if you're in the position to do so, just think of it as another excuse to have fun with whoever you like. Bring together as many pals as you can and check out these great events/possibilities that you can do on the day.

Games night

Host a games night! An easy one to begin with but perfect for a group of mates if you're planning on staying in. Pick out your favourite board, card or video game and work together or if you're feeling competitive, make a mini-tournament out of it. There are always the classics like Monopoly or Dobble but if you fancy something new, here are some great recent releases:

• Don't Get Got  - A game you play while doing other activities. Perfect for playing in the background of a party or as you watch a film. 2-10 players, can be played throughout the day.
• Mind  - A cooperative game which tests how linked your mind is with your friends. No words can be spoken as you try to get to the highest level! 2-4 players, varying game time.
• The Chameleon - One person is the "chameleon" and must blend in with the others, while the rest of you must try to catch them before the end of the game. 3-8 players, 15 minutes average game time.
• Jackbox Party Pack 9 - the ultimate party video game where you use your phones as controllers in varying minigames. Hilarious, easy to play and available on multiple platforms. 2+ players, varying game time.

All these games are perfect for laughs with a mix of cooperative and competitive play. The closer the group, the better the experience!

Quiz night

If a night in isn't taking your fancy but still want to keep it on the cheap, then there is the Big Fat Quizbox. This event happens every Monday, which happens to be the day that Palentines lands this year! There's a real mix of topics with some nice twists on the classic pub quiz formula. General admission is £2.70, while a table for 6 is £11.13. Doors open at 6:30 pm (last entry at 7:00 pm) and the event goes on till 9:30 pm. Don't forget to bring a photo ID as it's required for entry!

Singles night

This party event is on the other end of the spectrum, more about sticking it to Valentine's day by shaking those hips and deleting a photo of your ex for a free shot... If you or your friends have recently gone through a nasty break-up, then you might find solace in Cupid is Stupid Anti Valentines Day. Taking place at the Salsa Soho, free entry before 9:00 pm (then £3.00 entry from then on) but happy hour lasts from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with the official party starting at 9:30 pm. So have a boogie with your buddies and enjoy being single together. 

Hopefully one of these options fits your group, but there are plenty of other activities you could get up to as well. Whatever you choose to do, do it with your best buds and have a great time!