So whether you fall into the single camp, the sickeningly-in-love camp or the it’s-all-about-consumerism-anyway camp, here are some ways to reinvent Valentine’s Day that will suit everyone.
Send your friends Valentine’s Day cards
Not real Valentine’s Day cards – homemade and completely ridiculous Valentine’s Day cards. The worse they are the better. You can write terrible poems, use embarrassing photos, cheesy pet names…whatever you can think of. No one gets left out, no one has to buy anything, and you can send them to friends that are far away too.
Give People Flowers
…for charity. This year you can sign up for just one hour selling daffodil pins for Marie Curie, who do fantastic work providing nurses for the terminally ill. These are flowers that really can make a difference to somebody’s life, and really there is no better way of spreading the love than contributing to the comfort and care of someone who desperately needs it. Find out what it’s like <href=”http: www.youtube.com=”” watch?v=”3WidaeUkS_4#t=24″”>here.</href=”http:>
Have a Pancake Day ‘Rehearsal’
People love Pancake Day, so why limit yourself to one? You could make it romantic with strawberries and champagne (or, on a budget, Buck’s Fizz) or get your friends together and have everyone bring different toppings. What’s more, having pancakes on the wrong day will really mess ‘the Man’ up.
Join the Random Acts of Kindness Brigade
There are all sorts of challenges involving random acts of kindness, but if you don’t think you could make it 8 whole weeks then Valentine’s Day could not be a better opportunity to take part. Not only will it make someone else feel good, but it will make you feel good too. It could even become a feel-good habit.
Have a Me-Date
There are some things you simply cannot do on dates. No matter how romantic you think it will be, baths do not work (unless they are huge), comfortable clothes are frowned upon and eating anything messy is out of the question. So, instead of joining the flocks of people cramming into restaurants and cinemas, take the opportunity to do something you want to do. Treat yourself – to food, films, a good book, a duvet day – whatever you feel like. And remember, no one is there to judge you. Big portions, pyjamas and bubble baths are all yours for the taking.