Recently updated on October 6th, 2022 at 03:10 pm
Celebrate the power of singledom on Single’s Day, an anti-Valentine’s Day style holiday that’s all about self-love.
The chocolate boxes and romantic dinners of Valentine’s Day can feel like a pipe dream for many people who aren’t in a relationship. So often, when singles hear the word “Valentine’s”, a lonely night parked on the couch with only Netflix for company springs to mind.
Luckily, in the 1990s, some crafty university students in China created Single’s Day. Back then, it was called Bachelors’ Day, and now it is colloquially known as Double 11, since it takes place on 11/11 (November 11) every year.
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Double 11 is all about celebrating and appreciating unattached, independent life. It rubbishes the idea that relationships are the ultimate form of self-fulfilment and success. Instead, it encourages singles to focus on appreciating themselves and their individuality.
How is Single’s Day traditionally celebrated?
In China, Single’s Day is considered an unofficial shopping holiday, loved by all bachelors and singles. The retail sales and discounts run by stores, most notably e-commerce giant Alibaba, across the East Asian nation often outpace Black Friday in the US. This gargantuan shopping event is seen as the height of indulgence and treating oneself.
Single’s Day is in its early stages in the West. This might even be the first time you’ve ever heard of it. However, major global brands are beginning to adopt Single’s Day sales. Keep your eyes peeled for big discounts from brands like Nike, Estée Lauder and Apple, fronted by celebrity faces like Billie Eilish and Nicole Kidman.
Obviously, one of the best ways to celebrate Single’s Day is to shop til’ you drop. Of course, a day trip to your local mall could suffice. But if loved-up couples can use Valentine’s Day as an excuse for a romantic getaway, we think Single’s Day is a perfectly valid reason to take a shopping trip to the destination of your dreams. Whether solo or with your best friends, that’s entirely up to you!
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Unsurprisingly, you can shop the best Single’s Day deals in China’s capital, Beijing. On Single’s Day, every artery of this bustling city is clad in sale signs clamouring for attention. As a result, you can shop for anything your heart desires at rock bottom prices, from clothes to tech and so much more.
But the sales don’t end there. When your feet get sore, and your tummy starts to rumble, you will be spoilt for choice with Bachelor’s Day discounts at almost every restaurant. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample Chinese cuisine like roast duck and shredded pork. Trust us, everything tastes even more delicious when it’s on sale!
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In China, Single’s Day festivities have developed past mere discounts into all-out extravaganzas. In 2019, American pop star Taylor Swift headlined Alibaba’s Singles’ Day Gala Show to countdown the hours until the beginning of Bachelor’s Day. That year, the lineup also included acts from Chinese singer G.E.M., Japanese singer Kana Hanazawa and many more.
How can you celebrate Single’s Day?
If you want to get in on the Single’s Day action without going all the way to China, there are plenty of other ways you can shape your own celebrations. After all, there is no one right way to observe this modern tradition.
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For a luxe Single’s Day shopping spree, why not visit the shopping capital of the world, New York City? Single’s Day falls right in the middle of the American shopping season, bookended on one side by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and on the other by Christmas sales. Surrounded by the best shops in the world, you’ll no doubt score a killer haul.
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Alternatively, you can enjoy the best of Single’s Day from your favourite place: home sweet home. All you need is an internet connection. No matter where you are in the world, you can participate in Single’s Day and the rest of the shopping season from your couch. You can find great deals on your favourite brands from massive e-commerce sites like Alibaba, the king of Single’s Day sales, or Amazon and eBay if you’re looking a bit closer to home.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Single’s Day, Double 11, Bachelor’s Day – whatever you want to call it – we’re confident that you will have an absolute blast, sans romance.
What would you like to do this Single’s Day? Let us know in the comments below! Or, if you’re still looking for inspiration, head to our website to discover hundreds of incredible destinations suitable for solo travellers when you travel with Trafalgar!