Across the UK and other parts of the world, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February the 14th. The special day is a chance to express your adoration towards your loved one. It’s common to gift your significant other with chocolates, flowers or lavish jewellery. But just why do we perform the whole facade and where did it come from?
Why do we Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
According to some Historians, Valentine’s Day has its roots embedded in ancient Roman culture and coincides with the celebration of Lupercalia. The festival was held annually between the 13th and 15th of February to promote fertility. In a bizarre tradition, priests would sacrifice a dog and a goat, before slicing the goat’s hides into strips. Two males would then dress as goats (representing make sexuality) and hit women with the goat’s hide until they bled, symbolising their fertility – doesn’t sound very romantic!
Expectations Vs. Reality
Due to the lengthy build-up towards the big day, Valentine’s can be a highly stressful time of the month for many. With companies pulling out all of the stops in their marketing to pressure you into buying from them, you might be feeling the dread of squeezing into that hot red dress, having your hair on point or getting your eye-shadow just right. Perhaps you don’t know what to gift your partner and are struggling to find the funds to afford an affluent gift.
Either way, it’s important not to let our expectations cloud our clear judgement. Expecting a costly gift or something personalised may not be something they can put together the cash for at the minute. It’s also unrealistic to expect your partner to guess your favourite candies or flowers if you’re in a new relationship – especially if you haven’t gotten round to telling them yet! Either way, Valentine’s Day should be about cherishing your relationships and spending quality time with your loved ones. Let them know you’re thankful, and instead of a rushed dinner date in a crowded restaurant and last-minute gifts, why not cook dinner for them at home or handcraft a present? We’re sure they’d love the thought and effort!
Single on Valentine’s Day? You’re Not Alone (Really)
If you don’t have a date this year or you’ve just broken up from your significant other, then being surrounded by loved up couples might make you feel a bit salty, to say the least! In today’s society, it’s easy to get caught out with superficial expectations of romance. However, you don’t have to have your love life all figured out! Remember that working on your career, health and mental wellbeing is what really counts. Your ‘perfect’ person will come along, in the meantime, work on being the best version of yourself!
What to do if you’re Dateless on the Big Day
Not to worry, there will be millions of people on Valentine’s Day that didn’t have the honour of being asked out by their long-term crush or recent Tinder match. What you can do instead is use the holiday to commemorate your other long-standing relationships! Get together with your besties for an epic Galantine’s; try baking, do each other’s nails, or throw an epic dance party in your room. You can even meet up with your other friends and make it a Palentine’s date by ordering Pizza and binging on your favourite Netflix series on the sofa in your PJs.
Whether you’re celebrating with your bae, bestie, family or even your cat, we hope you have a great Valentine’s Day, and remember, if things didn’t quite go according to plan then there’s always next year! (;
By Manisha Bhanot
