St. Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, unless you must spend it alone. But how can UK over 50’s meet someone compatible in the short time left before this romantic holiday? Online dating is one way to do so.

Online dating isn’t reserved for young singles or recently divorced thirty-somethings. It’s a great way for silver surfers to meet new friends and perhaps find romance, too. Of course, you may not wish to have a first date with someone on this important day of romance. It might be better if you can meet your new acquaintance two or three weeks ahead of time. So it’s important that you sign up soon and then start the process of communicating with people that you find interesting.

It’s generally a simple process, even for UK over 50′s. The first thing you’ll do is create your dating profile. This provides details about your personality plus your likes and dislikes so that potential suitors can see how they might fit with you. Write in a positive tone, highlighting your best personality traits. Don’t be too verbose; keeping your narrative to a few sentences should be enough.

Upload current photographs to your profile. Choose well-done photos that focus on your face—with a smile, of course. The first photo should focus on you, while a second photo could show you doing something you enjoy; for example, you could be gardening or dancing. Other UK over 50′s will love to know that you enjoy the same pastimes that they enjoy. But make sure that any action type of photo is clear and flattering. A third photograph, showing you dressed for a party or holiday gathering, is recommended.

That is all that’s involved in beginning your online dating experience. From there, you will start receiving notifications of interest or you can do some surfing on your own. Silver surfers can be a little hesitant to reach out in this new world of dating, but bolster your courage with a smile and go to it. After all, true romance and passion could be waiting. Eventually, you will begin corresponding with one or more of the other silver surfers that interest you. Sooner or later you will find someone that you want to meet, and St. Valentine’s Day will be all the more special because you’ll be able to share it with someone as it was meant to be shared—romantically!

Preparing to go on a first date with someone new that you met online can be an intimidating prospect — especially if you haven’t been on a first date with anyone in years. If it’s been years since the last time you were in the dating game, it’s important to keep several things in mind in order to have a successful experience. After all, it’s hard to enjoy yourself on a first date if you’re worried or self-conscious the entire time! Here are a few simple principles to guide you on a first date.

1. Be yourself
This is one of the most repeated pieces of dating advice for new singles, but it’s important to really pay attention to it. You should always be yourself! Don’t feel pressured to be more than who you truly are or to embellish details about yourself. After all, you want the person to fall for you — not the character you’re pretending to be.

2. Don’t be afraid to let loose a little
A first date is a great time to cross a few boundaries with yourself. That’s not to say you should overindulge at the bar, but allow yourself to be a more flirtatious or conversational than normal. You should still be sure to be yourself, but let go of a few inhibitions that you might otherwise hold onto.

3. Pretend you’re conducting a job interview
When you pretend that you’re interviewing the person you’re on the date with for a job, you can easily forget some of your nerves about the date. Be sure to still engage in conversation and see the person as an individual, but keep in mind that he or she is trying to make a good impression on you as well.

4. Remember that there are more singles to choose from
If you’re not having a good time, remember that there are more people to choose from! Similarly, if you find yourself falling quickly, remember that you shouldn’t rush into things. Allow yourself to enjoy the date for what it is.

5. Tell someone where you’re going
Though you may think this piece of advice only applies to young singles, it’s still just as important no matter your age to be safe while online dating. You’ll feel more at ease during the date when a trusted friend knows where you are and when you should be returning.

Valentine’s Day is a time to feel the love not your age and celebrate a night of romance in style. After all 50 is the new 40 and although the first flush of youth has gone, this is a plus not something to regret.

Maturity means you can express your personality and feelings for your loved one with fear of rejection, laughter or offence. After all, at our age, we’ve been there done that and in the process collected a huge pile of T-shirts that don’t fit any more to prove it.

So here are five romantic ways to say “I love you’ on Valentine’s Day –

* Push the boat out with a candlelit dinner in her favourite restaurant with a bottle of champers. Think about popping to the restaurant in advance to have the Maitre d’ meet and greet you at the door with that bubbly, or some flowers.

* Try picking a place of romantic significance – near the place where you both first met or the restaurant where you first dined together.

* Pamper her with a spa day followed by a night at a pleasant hotel

* Spoil him by getting tickets for his favourite sports day out – Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, so you can have a weekend of fun.

* Go to a romantic film together, hold hands and share the tissues…there’s always a rom-com out for Valentine’s Day

* If you are unlucky enough to have to spend the time apart, make an effort by sending a card or gift to mark the occasion – and make sure it arrives on time. Cards and gifts arriving Monday are a definite faux pas.

Whatever your plans, don’t leave ironing out the details for too long because St Valentine’s Day will have been and gone in a flash.

Remember, expressing your feelings for some else is not something that needs to be costly or flaunted – if he or she is the one, they will relish your time and effort and not judge you on how deep you have dug in to your bank account.

At 50 plus you don’t have to dress to impress any more, though of course it helps if you have gone to some effort to look your best.