In elementary school, Valentine’s Day meant an afternoon spent pasting doilies to construction paper and eating Minnie Mouse lollipops brought by someone’s mom.

Now, for many, Valentine’s Day means couples-only romantic outings filled with food, flowers and candles.

For Cassie Spurrier, a senior in communication, Valentine’s Day means something completely different.

“Nothing screams romance like waiting in line for two hours in heels for a $20 steak,” she said.

Spurrier and her group of friends have planned a “Singleton’s Party” — citing a catch phrase from the hit ’90s novel, Bridget Jones’ Diary.

“This way you can include more people and show all your friends how much you care for them,” Savannah Poole, a friend of Spurrier’s and senior in environmental technology, said.

The Singleton’s Party will have all the staples of a girls’ night — great food, funny movies and close friends.

“I know the holiday is about love and romance, but I believe you can have just as much of an enchanting time spending the evening with friends you love,” Spurrier said.

She said she and her girlfriends plan to “layer the floor with mattresses and pillows, [eat] s’mores and have the fireplace going” to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Keith Neal, a senior in criminology, said men don’t typically unite for movie marathons and dessert tasting on Valentine’s Day.

“It’s the most commercialized ‘holiday’ [of the year],” Neal said. “If it was really a holiday, we’d get out of school for it.”

Poole said she is looking forward to the party because it will give her the chance to show love for those closest to her — and it’s a type of love not necessarily associated with Valentine’s Day.

“It’s about showing everyone how much you love them, even if it is just a simple card or phone call,” Poole said.

Spurrier wants to make it clear she is not hosting a bitter bash for single women, especially since she said she’s figured out she “[doesn’t] need a boyfriend to be happy or have fun.”

“A lot of us have turned down offers for Valentine’s [Day] for many reasons,” Spurrier said. “Some are too busy for a relationship, while others are not comfortable with going out on a date with someone they barely know.”

Sonali Shah, a junior in textile and apparel management, threw an alternative Valentine’s Day party Saturday night with food — and a very interesting game.

“We decided to have a game at the party,” Shah said. “So, we had ‘Pin the condom on the blow-up doll.’ Whoever got closest to certain parts of the body won a prize.”

Shah admits the party idea originated because she “had a chocolate fountain and wanted to use it,” but she said the game was a big hit.

This Valentine’s Day is a milestone for Spurrier, in the sense that she said, “I’ve finally come to a point in my life where I’m comfortable being single, and I’m happier spending Valentine’s Day with a friend, rather than someone I’m dating.”

Poole said she agrees with Spurrier about spending time with friends on a special day.

“I find spending a nice evening with close friends more enjoyable than an evening out at some fancy restaurant with the whole flowers and candles thing,” Poole said.

Spurrier said being single has its perks.

“I’ve started to value time to myself and being able to go out without having to worry about a boyfriend getting in the way — especially since I’m about to graduate,” Spurrier said.