February provides excellent opportunities for celebrating with your friends.  Now's a good time to plan your celebrations.

February 1 is Super Bowl Sunday.  That's a great day to invite friends over to watch the big game (or, if you aren't a football fan, to watch the counter-programming).  The necessities are pretty simple.  You need at least one television, the larger the better; easy access to at least one bathroom; beverages (adult and otherwise); and, foods that are easy to eat with your hands.  No one wants to be jugging silverware while watching the big game.

February 14 is Valentine's Day.  This year, it falls on the Saturday of a three-day weekend.  If you want a romantic getaway, you should make plans now.  If you plan a romantic dinner out, you should make your reservations as soon as possible.  Or, you could go with a romantic dinner at home.  If you want to splurge, consider hiring a personal chef to cook the meal for you.  If you cook for yourself, keep it simple.  No one wants to spend the evening in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning up — unless you are doing it together.

February 24 is Mardi Gras.  Think gumbo and jambalaya and hurricanes.  Or fasnachts (German doughnuts) or pancakes.  Or a Brazilain fest with samba dancing and rum drinks.  But remember, when the clock strikes 12, Lent has begun and the party is over.