With February just around the corner, stores have already wiped the winter holiday decor from the shelves, swiftly filling them with heart-shaped everything for Valentine's Day. But this oft love-it-or-hate-it holiday isn’t the only occasion to celebrate in February. President’s Day, just days after Valentine’s Day presents an alternative — and potentially — fascinating celebration opportunity to kick off the year.

This February, bring together friends from both sides of the aisle for a POTUS party spectacular.

Come as your favorite Commander in Chief

There are several ways to host a presidential party in which guests represent some of U.S. history’s most famous, infamous and even lesser-discussed figureheads. One approach is to invite partygoers to dress up as their favorite past or current president or first lady. In doing so, your inaugural event could end up with several bearded Lincolns, wigged Washingtons and sunglass-clad Jackie O’s, making for priceless photos and best-costume faceoffs. Bestow a prize to the best-represented POTUS and FLOTUS.

If you want to switch things up, instead of extending free reign (pun intended) to your presidential guests, assign each a president or first lady to embody for your event. Instruct each person to not only dress as their designated commander in chief but to also arrive equipped with several interesting facts about their head of state.

While some more prominent presidents such as Lincoln and Washington may be easily identified by their appearances, others such as James Buchanan (1857-1861) will likely depend on their backstory bits and pieces to be pinpointed. Did you know that Buchanan was the only U.S. president who never married? The guest who successfully guesses the most presidents correctly wins a prize.

Bring a presidential dish

Rather than rely on costumery to represent past presidents, invite guests to “plate a president.” Each guest must bring a food dish that relates to their presidential pick. Some past heads of state will be more obvious than others, based on long-time legends and lore. Cherry pies, turnovers and jubilees, for example, will instantly give away George Washington. Peanut butter bars, brittle and pies will likely tip guests off to Jimmy Carter.

For more subtle presidential food and drink associations, look to historical clues about John Adams, for instance, who allegedly favored hard cider. Or James Monroe, who fancied himself a Virginia Spoon Bread — a concoction similar to bread pudding — prepared with cornmeal, salt, water, butter, eggs, milk and baking powder (find the full recipe at lincolnslunch.blogspot.com). Those up to the challenge could even bravely bring Martin van Buren’s go-to: oysters.

Play presidential “I Spy”

Instead of — or in addition to — presidential food and drink pairings, invite attendees to participate in a POTUS “I Spy” activity. To do this, a “president’s wall” can be created, featuring visual clues about past presidents. For example, the number 32 can be affixed to the wall, referring to William Henry Harrison’s (1841) mere 32 days in office. Pictures of a mouse or mice can showcase Andrew Johnson’s (1865-1869) apparent affinity for the White House mice he cared for during his tenure. A helicopter image connects Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) as the first president to ride in a helicopter. Award the guest who correctly spies and links the most presidents with their corresponding clue.

Fill the room with favorite fictitious presidents

If you and your friend group find politics — even in the name of fun — too fraught with contention, switch up your President’s Day celebration to a fictitious version. Invite your guests to dress as their favorite book or movie commander in chief. “West Wing” enthusiasts can come as Martin Sheen’s Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet. “Independence Day” fans may want to embody Thomas J. Whitmore portrayed by Bill Pullman. “State of Affairs” fans can adopt Alfre Woodard’s Constance Payton. And to ride on the coattails of the recent “Hunger Games” prequel “ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” a brave soul can come as the wicked President Coriolanus Snow.

Include a ballot box

No matter what type of presidential party you proceed with, don’t forget to include a ballot box and ballots for guests to vote for their favorite party head of state (real or imagined).