girls night out

Celebrate Valentine's Day with your best girlfriends. Credit: Getty Images

Valentine's Day may be meant for lovers, but there's no reason you can't use the occasion to show a friend how much you care. Of course, friendship has its own day -- August 7, 2011 -- but a really good friend deserves to be acknowledged more than once a year, right? Red roses and romantic dinners are probably not appropriate, but there are lots of other ways to express your feelings for a friend on Valentine's Day.

Poetry: Can't put your feelings into words? Let someone else do it for you with a book of friendship poems. Or, if there's a particular poem that seems to have been written just for you and your pal, have it inscribed on a personalized plaque for a one-of-a-kind gift.

Homemade Goodies: A luscious Valentine's cake, a batch of heartbreaker cookies or a tin of candy are nice ways to show your appreciation for a good friend. Present your gift in a pretty box with a homemade Valentine's card.

Lunch: Treat your friend to lunch at a favorite restaurant. Or, if you've got a whole group of friends you want to honor, have them over to your house for a special luncheon. Serve Salad Nicoise, a Sandwich Torte or Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta. Don't forget the wine!

Spa Day: Make an appointment to treat you and your friend to a day of pampering. What could be more relaxing than chatting with your best pal while enjoying a professional massage, facial or whole body treatment? If you don't know where to go, ask around for recommendations or go online to find a spa near you.

Plant: Leave the red roses to lovers and give your friend a living plant to remind her of your friendship all year long. A small flowering plant, a pretty cactus or a flowering bulb plant would make a nice gift. Pick one up at your local greenhouse or order online and have it delivered.