Everybody’s doing it, and so are you!

Valentines Day – a Hallmark holiday? A scourge upon singles? A day for pink hearts and romance? What does Valentines mean for you?

Traditional roses and chocolates are a cheesy VD symbol, and sometimes seem like the go-to gift for those who didn’t put much thought into their LOVE on VD (there, I said it!). Daisies and other flowers are a little cliché and getting a bevy of potted daffodils is a thought towards overcoming the cliché stigma.

There are the commercials (- OH JEEZ! -) that say, “Show her your TRUE love by buying her expensive jewelery! DIAMONDS!” Like the only way to truly show someone you care is by buying her a rock whose existence has spawned wars in Africa – really?

The problem with Valentines Day is that to MANY, it has become a commercial holiday. As the CNN article notes, singles feel left out; women who don’t get flowers at work may feel oddly left out when everybody else’s boyfriend sends the ol’ floral standby. And guys! What do they get? I know a lot of them feel like there’s an unnerving pressure on them to come up with something amazing, but with little reward. It’s like VD has become a chore for everybody – but VD does give us something to look forward to, in the bleak winter months between New Year’s and the start of spring. Maybe you’re into candy hearts and roses, but if you’re not, and if you dread the 14th of February every year, it’s time to start rethinking how you do Valentines Day.

For those of you who are single – you don’t have to be sulky! Go out and get yourself a little lover of your own, like the Lelo Mia; which is small enough to take anywhere (bonus points if you manage to pop one off somewhere OUTSIDE your boudoir). If you’re all stocked up on things of that nature, there are other ways to practice your self love, like a mani/pedi combo, or a bottle of fine wine and the preparation of your favorite meal (bonus points if you jam to some Coltrane while doing this). You could, if you’re like me, agree to exchange Valentines with your best gal pal. You could have her come over and have a craft session – gluing rhinestones to old worn-out belts or thrifted belt buckles. You could call all your other single friends and have them come over for a cupcake baking session, or to watch old zombie movies. Make a little fête out of it – your coupled friends may not be able to resist! Valentines doesn’t have to be about love between two people. There are loads of people you could express love to – yourself, your friends, your family. Get creative and think outside the “VD is for Lovers” box.

For those who are coupled – dinner… movies…flowers… lingere… is it all a little cliché? Think outside the box! Build a blanket fort in your living room and snuggle up together, while talking about all the things you love. Mosaic pictures of yourself and lover together and find a cool, sleek frame so he can put it on his desk at work. Go to your single friend’s cupcake baking party and bake a cupcake for your lover – decorate it with birds and bees. Write a love letter and hide it somewhere – give your lover clues that lead to clues that finally lead to your note. Take your lover to a museum – extra points if you’re wearing silly hats. Make a picnic lunch and have lunch somewhere sweet (if it’s warm enough) or on your bed (if you’re in Seattle or something where it rains all the time). Learn to make sushi together, take a cooking class or roll eggrolls. Teach your lover how to dance and dance around your living room.

If all that sounds cheesy and lame, be cheesy and lame for a day! Write love haiku’s to your favorite mythical creature, favorite 80′s tv star or favorite pair of shoes. Make a love mix tape for yourself. Make a love mix tape for your best friend. Paint your toenails alternating shades of pink and red. Whip up the most delicious meal you’ve ever cooked. Take long walks through your neighborhood and mentally note everything you love about it. Learn to make a new delicious cocktail. Go to the zoo and make animal noises at all your favorite animals – have conversations with elephants!

On Valentines Day, right before bed, note down what you did – what your VD consisted of and do it again – 2 weeks later, a month later, 4 months down the line. Do it at random intervals. Do it all the time. Call it your VD redux. Invite your friends (if appropriate). Like that CNN commentator said, it’s not what you do that ONE special day, it’s what you do with all the other 364 days in a year that matter.

If you don’t like Valentines Day, then simply live life, like it’s another day – and live those to the fullest.

PS – What have you got planned for VD? Something special? Something creative??