All opinions are mine and mine alone.
As the first month of this new year and new decade draws to a close, those of us in relationships (and those of us who hope to be) set their sights on Valentines Day. The February holiday that’s known the world over as a celebration of love in honour of the patron saint. But like many Western traditions, Valentines day has been co-opted by capitalism and consumerism and reduced to a set of cliches. It’s the “chocolate, card and teddy bear” holiday. Or the “restaurants making everything into heart shapes and charging 20% more” holiday. And if there’s one thing that’s not conducive to love or romance, it’s cliches. The weird reality, however, if that while most of the cliches around Valentines Day make us want to cringe, but we find ourselves going along with them anyway, year after year.
If you find yourself and your beloved going to the same restaurant and ordering the same vaguely novel set menu every year, it’s time to break with tradition. Nothing kills a relationship faster than routine. Even if you’re not yet in a couple, there are still some cliches you can avoid this Valentine’s Day. Here are some ways you can do it right and actually get some enjoyment out of the day rather than going through the motions.
Don’t make your partner see red
Red roses? How original!
If you or your partner actually like red roses, then have at it… but if they’re not your thing, don’t pretend to like them just because it’s Valentines Day. Your florist will likely be delighted to make you a non-traditional bouquet made from anything but red roses.
Then again, who says you have to say it with flowers at all? You could just as easily…
Say it with snacks
If you and your loved one are inveterate foodies, you might just find that the gift of snacks massively trumps the gift of flowers. Especially if it comes in the form of gourmet gift hampers or upmarket sweets. Speaking of food, why cram yourself into that same restaurant again for the same old themed fare? Why not put whatever you want on the menu and steal a few secrets from top chefs in your own kitchen.
Come up with something more sincere than a store bought card
Tired of browsing aisle after aisle of greetings card to find something that doesn’t have a really saccharine message, or the same stock teddy bear pictures on it? Or perhaps a humourous card that’s actually humourous?
Instead of spending a few bucks on a store bought message of love, try your hand at writing your own. It doesn’t need to be a Shakespearean sonnet. It doesn’t even need to be well written. It does need to come from the heart and show your SO just what it is about them that makes you love them so damn much.
Single? Defy expectations
For single people, Valentines Day can be a very particular kind of hell. A hell of pitying glances and “maybe next year”s. Instead of letting your betrothed friends imagine you crying into your ice cream, take yourself out for an awesome date doing whatever you love most.
Or take your bestie out for a Parks and Rec style Galentine’s Day. Who says that people in relationships should have all the fun.
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