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How To Spread The Love On Valentine's Day, Even If You're Single

By Natalie Johnson

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — Just because you're single doesn't mean Valentine's Day is just another day on the calendar. You have love to give, and here are a few suggestions on how to spread it around:

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Love for community

If you love children, why not volunteer with your local Girl or Boy Scout troop? If you love animals, volunteer at a nearby animal shelter. If you support a charity, participate in its events.

For help finding organizations to partner with, go to volunteermatch.com.

Love for friends

Don't forget that your friends are your *other* significant others. Spend some time with them -- especially if they are mending broken hearts this time of year.

And if you're both single, go out for a night on the town.

Love for nature

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, where exposure to pollutants is "2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations."

As a result, it's probably a good time to develop a love for hiking, canoeing, gardening, picnicking, tree planting or any other outdoors activity.

Love for pets

Your pets need a Valentine, too. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $751 million on gifts for our four-legged friends this year. Pet stores have a line of products -- from heart-shaped cat scratchers to XOXO knit sweaters to pink bow tie dog collars.

If you really want to pamper your pooch, you could spring for a relaxing time at a pet spa. Also, don't let dietary restrictions prevent a pet from exercising its sweet tooth. While human sweets are bad for them, some bakeries for pets sell delicacies for dogs.

If you're in a do-it-yourself mood, here are some ideas for homemade treats.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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