Okay what’s the deal with Valentine’s Day? We know February has long been seen as the month of romance. But who is this Saint Valentine character and why did we end up exchanging chocolates and flowers in his name? Turns out nobody really knows.
Where Valentine’s Day Might Have Come From
There are many different stories in Catholic history surrounding the origin of Valentine’s Day (history.com). One involves a priest who performed marriages in secret when they were prohibited. Another was a man who allegedly helped Christians escape from a Roman prison. All of the characters in these Valentine’s Day origin stories were known for some heroic form of fighting for love. But none of them quite like the stories in the romantic comedies we associate with the holiday.
Then we have this random Cupid character. Which originated from the Greeks. Cupid was a version of Eros, the Greek god of love. Some Valentine’s traditions even go back as far as the middle ages. Nobody agrees on the reason we celebrate Valentine’s Day. It truly is a holiday we do simply because it’s what we’ve always done.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day Shouldn’t Be Obligatory
If you’re anti Valentine’s Day, feel free to be. But, if you are a Valentine’s Day lover, more power to you. I think it’s truly a “to each his own” type of holiday. Either way, don’t feel like you HAVE to celebrate it just because Hallmark tells us to. Because at the end of the day, it’s just another Wednesday (at least this year).
But, for some reason, some of us still feel that twinge of guilt if we don’t acknowledge Valentine’s Day. Either we have a single friend who celebrates Galentine’s Day. Or we just went through a break up and need to distract ourselves.
5 Ways To Make The Day Special, Without Making It A Special Day
So, we came up with a list of things to do to make this holiday special, without giving in to that diaper-wearing Greek baby god. Enjoy. And Happy Valen…I mean, Happy Wednesday. – Wendy Rush
3. Visit an animal shelter
Hallmark says we have to show love on Valentine’s Day? Fine! Animals need love too! So stop by a local shelter a take a pup for a walk. Or donate $5 to the Animal Foundation (or find a similar program at your local shelter) to get a Cup of Love delivered to a shelter pup. You can also spend some time giving cuddles in the kitty adoption room. I guarantee your heart will be a lot fuller after this than after the date you would have found on Tinder.
4. Make funny heart cookies
This idea is a lot of fun. Do it with gals pals or on your own to deliver to the coworkers. Instead of traditional Valentine’s Day sayings on your conversation heart cookies, you can write things like “Roses die” or “I don’t have to share the remote”. Deliver some to a friend who is alone on Valentine’s Day and make their day too!
Make an anti-Valentine's Day Pinata
This is another one for anybody who is a little jaded about love this year. Go to town on a heart-shaped piñata. There’s some real therapy in that. And just because you don’t do Valentine’s Day, does not mean you can’t enjoy the candy! In fact, it might taste better because you don’t have to share it with anyone.
