Anti-Valentine’s Day Keep Calm & Love It Guide

Crush on these anti-V day ideas

Is Valentine’s Day just to show that special someone how much you love them? What if it’s about something bigger? We think Valentine’s Day isn’t about relationships or dates – it’s about LOVE. So on February 14th, show your special someone some love – your dog, mom, best friend, wine, pizza or yourself. Celebrate! Love is in the air.

If you’re single, you may be tempted to ignore Valentine’s Day, but we have some ideas for you that can take this day to the next level. Single or taken, you can enjoy all this holiday has to offer. Valentine’s Day celebrates LOVE in all forms and we’re thrilled to share this side of the biggest love-fest-day of the year.

Ready to embrace what you love and share it with the world?

So where did Valentine’s Day originate from?

If you have an aversion to the pink and red holiday, the truth can set you free. Valentine’s Day didn’t start as the lovey-dovey, chocolates and hearts filled day. There are 3 different possible origins of how V-day started.

• When the Roman Emperor Claudius II decided that single men were better as soldiers (because those who were married found it difficult to leave their wives and families for so long), he outlawed
  marriages to build up his army. A priest named Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret and when Claudius found out, he ordered Valentine to be executed. He would later be given Saint status in the Catholic Church.
• Valentine found himself imprisoned after he was caught helping those who were being prosecuted by the Romans escape. While in prison, Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and before his death, he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine.”
• Valentine’s Day was a replacement for the Pagan celebration Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a fertility festival that celebrated both women and agriculture. The Pagan priests sacrificed animals, cut their hides into strips and dipped them in blood. As they walked the streets, they gently slapped the women and the field crops with the bloody strips – gross, We know. The Roman women welcomed this practice as they believed it enhanced their fertility and helped fields produce crops. At the end of the day, the women placed their names in a big urn where the cities bachelors chose a name to be paired up for potential marriages.

Single and ready to mingle?

If you’re single, treat yourself to something special on Valentine’s Day. As much as we love our beds (perhaps we should buy them a Valentine’s Day card) we shouldn’t find ourselves commiserating with our pillows and comforters. This year, we’re taking a staycation, watching a movie marathon and catching up with all our single friends. Valentine’s Day isn’t a horrid holiday to avoid, it’s all about perspective. Here are 14 things you can do on February 14th to conquer those anti-valentine’s day feelings:

1. Celebrate LOVE, not relationships Make everyone a valentine, like we did in elementary school. Have fun and get crafty. Giving always feels better than receiving.
2. Buy yourself a gift. Ever heard of Treat Yourself Day? If you’re like us and don’t have too much extra cash to spend on yourself, here are some cheap ways to Treat Yourself.
3. Go to dinner with friends. Dress up and be sure to order dessert.
4. Have a pajama party with friends. Don’t forget the snacks and wine.
5. Bake yourself some goodies. Who needs a heart shaped box of chocolates when you can make you and your friends a pan of heart-shaped cupcakes? Check out some yummy recipes to try.
6. Stupid Cupid. Set up secret Santa-like gift exchanges with friends and/or co-workers. Make the exchange using funny gag gifts to add some fun. Stupid.com has some great options to choose from.
7. Spread the love. Volunteer in your community and give back to others who have less.
8. Pamper yourself. Book a manicure, pedicure and/or massage. Looking great and feeling great is the best revenge toward negative energies.
9. Wine and paint parties. These are popping up in every city. Bars host nights where you can have some drinks and learn to paint a beautiful picture you can take home with you.
10. Movie marathon. Netflix and cheers with yourself and some friends.
11. Date night with yourself. Go to the museum, art gallery, cooking class or movies with yourself. Empower yourself by treating yourself to some “me” time.
12. Take a trip. Go visit an old college friend or go all out and find yourself on a beach somewhere.
13. Work it out! Take any frustrations you may have with V-day at the gym. Make yourself a kick-butt playlist and sweat out all those cupcakes you ate at work.
14. Karaoke. Sing your hearts out. Belt out every corny love song or go in the opposite direction and sing along to every anti-love song. What is your favorite anti-love medley to rock out to?

Don’t stress, our fellow singletons. While all those out there with dates are hoping for their special someone to sweep them off their feet, we’re guaranteed to enjoy ourselves. Love thy self and a great Valentine’s Day shall follow. And remember, the best way to love yourself is to make sure you get a great night’s sleep every day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVrcNo6-Dlk