Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (2024)

Ready to make their heart flutter? Whether you’re looking for romantic gift ideas or tips on how to sweep them off their feet, “Your Trusted Cupid” brings you top-notch advice from relationship experts. Hate Valentine’s Day? Step outside the heart-shaped box and enjoy creative ideas to use the holiday as a way to connect with your loved one.

Every year on Feb. 14, we shower our beloveds withValentine’s Day flowers,chocolate,gifts, and cards to demonstrate our affection for each other. On paper, it’s a day dedicated in its entirety to love. In reality,Valentine’s Dayhas had mixed reviews — routinely dismissed by some who feel it’s too commercialized and cliché.

Theoriginal meaningof Valentine’s Day isn’t easy to decipher, unlike Easter, Christmas, or other holidays. That said, the birth of Valentine’s Day is rooted in love. And love and romance are enough of a cause to celebrate and connect.

“Valentine’s Day is a way of being intentional about cultivating the time to express how you feel to one another, reigniting and remembering the love that you have for each other,” saysJaime Bronstein,a licensedrelationship therapist,coach, and host of the radio programLove Talk Live.“A day of romance is an incredible way for couples to reconnect.”

Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (1)
Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (2)
Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (3)

Remember, it’s about romance

If you find yourself becoming a hateValentine’s Daynaysayer, take a moment to reconsider the inherent purpose of this occasion and how you can make it special in new and creative ways that buck convention.

A day devoted to romance will add excitement to your relationship. Whether it’s buying agiftor planning a new activity, looking forward to the holiday celebration is certainly more fun than opting out.

“Having a designated day on the calendar that is all about intentional connection and celebrating your unique relationship is always a win,” says Stacey Sherrell, a marriage therapist and cofounder ofDecoding Coupleswith therapist Rachel Facio. “Whether that means a night out on the town or activity off the beaten path, it’s about you two. We are huge fans of Valentine’s Day!”

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with purpose

Exploring ways to be romantic and commemorate your love in your holiday planning builds anticipation for the arrival of Feb. 14. You might even use your time designing your day together as an opportunity to commit to a few long-term relationship goals that you and your partner decide on.

“Connecting on Valentine’s Day can truly catapult your relationship and set the standard for the year ahead. I recommend setting intentions on that day for how each person would like to show up for one another for the year ahead (and beyond),” says Bronstein.

Naysayers can now look toValentine’s Dayas more than a night out when they use it as an opportunity to enjoy their partner and have some fun. Here are some additional ideas designed to make this Valentine’s Day your most romantic and purposeful ever.

Break out of your everyday routine

Take a dance lesson, an art workshop, acookingorflower-arranging class. Whatever you decide, make a point to treat the day as a way to celebrate, which means a departure from your everyday routine. Also, choose a light-hearted event that you can both enjoy as a couple. Who knows? It may become a new favorite activity for both of you to do together.

Create a holiday souvenir together

Make a piece of furniture, take on aDIYhome project, or engage in any other activity where cooperation and joint vision are necessary. This bonding experience is unique, fun, and is not dependent on our devices. You can start the activity on Valentine’s Day and give it a deadline for the end of the month.

Add more meaning to the project by making it relevant to your relationship. For example, create aphoto albumor scrapbook chronicling your romantic history.

Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (4)

Have a romantic dinner for two

Life’s too short to let the fancy china and crystal goblets collect dust! Elevate the setting by addingromanticflowersandcandles. Enjoy a quietdinnerwith a wonderful bottle ofwine, chocolate,and music. If you rather not spend the evening cooking, decide on a menu together and have a deliciousmeal delivered.

Renew your vows

What could be better on Valentine’s Day than renewing yourvows? Make it a formal event with friends and family or create a more intimate moment just between the two of you. A destination event at a cozy candlelit restaurant or mountain resort are other exciting options.

Host a game night potluck

While alone time is great, it can also be fun to share your relationship with a larger group. Invite friends over and revel in a celebration of love and friendship withfoodandgames. Ask everyone to bring a smallthemed giftfor a secret Valentine exchange. After everyone leaves, it will give you an opportunity to reconnect with your Valentine in high spirits.

Hate Valentine’s Day? Here’s Why You Should Change Your Heart (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when you hate Valentine's Day? ›

Many, on the other hand, associate the holiday with feelings of depression, loneliness, and desperation. The most common reason that you would grow to hate Valentine's Day is that you only consider it to be a celebration of couples and romantic love.

What is the dark truth about Valentine's Day? ›

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

How important is Valentine's Day to a woman? ›

In addition to being a particular day for couples to express their love and gratitude to one another, Valentine's Day is also a time when women honor their relationships with their female friends. This day provides an opportunity to express gratitude, share joy, and strengthen women's unique connection with each other.

What is the anti Valentine's Day movement? ›

Enter the Anti-Valentine's Day movement – a rebellion against the tidal wave of commercialism that sweeps in each February, threatening to drown the true essence of romance in a sea of heart-shaped trinkets and overpriced chocolates.

Is it OK not to do Valentine's day? ›

“Ultimately, V-Day is often a day to express love and affection toward your partner, so for those who have personal reasons for not wanting to celebrate, I encourage them just to see it as another day to express love for the person(s) in their life who deserve their flowers 365 days of the year.” So even if one half of ...

Why don't I like Valentine's day? ›

Many people do not appreciate being reminded of their single status, or of the expectation that they should be in a romantic relationship. Others may simply find the day to be too commercialized and feel uncomfortable with the idea of receiving gifts or participating in activities that are supposed to be romantic.

Does the Bible say about Valentine's Day? ›

Since the origin of Valentine's Day as a romantic holiday only dates back to the 14th century, the Bible doesn't have any specific messages about the day—but it does have a lot to say on the subject of love.

What is the real story behind Valentine's Day? ›

Turns out, it was a pretty common name during Late Antiquity. As far as anyone can tell, the Saint Valentine of Valentine's Day was one of two guys preaching the good word in Rome in the third century. One of these two was martyred on February 14th 269, thus giving us the date for his eponymous day.

What is the black code in Valentine's Day? ›

Black: Healing from a Rejected Proposal

Black might be a favourite of many, but on Valentine's Day, it symbolizes rejection. You just got your heart broken because of a rejected proposal. Wear a black outfit to portray your state of mind.

Should Christians celebrate Valentine's day? ›

If that works for you, do it. But the biblical pattern teaches us that romantic love between husband and wife should be on display often and much. It isn't that celebrating Valentine's Day is too much; it is too little and weak. Christians, live your married years so that you don't need Valentine's Day.

How does Valentine's day affect couples? ›

Valentine's Day acts as a catalyst for couples to strengthen their romantic relationships. It offers an opportunity to reignite the spark by celebrating shared memories, reflecting on the journey, and recommitting to the relationship.

Do guys expect gifts on Valentine's day? ›

Valentine's Day is a popular holiday for couples that dates back to the 1300s. Throughout history, this holiday has been celebrated by couples but, more so, the women in the relationships. However, a survey has proven that men enjoy celebrating the holiday and getting showered with gifts too.

Why did the Catholic Church stop celebrating Valentines day? ›

Although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine as a saint of the church, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him. He is the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers.

What religion is against Valentines day? ›

It can be also observed that different religious groups, including Hindu, Muslim and Christian people of India do not support Valentine's Day.

Why is Valentine's day banned in some countries? ›

But in some other countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the day is banned due to the day's conflicting views with the Islamic culture. Since 2009, certain practices pertaining to Valentine's Day (such as giving flowers, cards, or other gifts suggestive of Valentine's Day) are banned in Iran.

Why would someone not celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Valentine's Day is expensive, puts unnecessary pressure on relationships and takes away from the fact that we should show love and appreciation every day, not just on Feb. 14. For those who choose to celebrate Valentine's Day, it can often be incredibly expensive.

Why does Valentines day make me anxious? ›

For singles, there's pressure to be in a relationship, have a date, or look desirable to a romantic partner. As a result, it's common to experience feelings of loneliness, social isolation, sadness, anxiety, social pressure to celebrate, and even self-pity on and around Valentine's Day.

What is the fear of Valentine's day? ›

Valentinophobia is the fear of Valentine's Day. This phobia is commonly suffered by adults who have had a bad relationship, more especially getting into sexual abuse on Valentine's Day. Many sufferers of philophobia (fear of love) may lead to valentinophobia since one of the main associations of Valentine's is love.

How to not care about Valentine's day? ›

10 Ways to Enjoy Valentine's Day Solo
  1. Ignore Valentine's Day.
  2. Be Kind to Yourself.
  3. Be Your Own Secret Admirer.
  4. Avoid Love Triggers.
  5. Make Other Plans.
  6. Plan a Date With Single Friends.
  7. Reach Out to Someone.
  8. Brighten Someone Else's Day.
Sep 6, 2023

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