(photo by ziktay)

Unlike a lot of people, especially single people, I’m not particularly bitter about Valentine’s Day. However, I was pretty sure that that it was just another holiday created by the greeting card and candy companies. But – I am wrong! There’s actually much more romantic and surprisingly sweet history to Valentine’s Day -

February is known as a month when love begins anew, in part to to the widespread celebration of Valentine’s Day. In some parts of Europe, there was a belief that February 14th was the day that birds and animals began their annual hunt for a mate. Valentine’s Day is named for the Christian priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s edict banning young soldiers from marrying. In secret, Valentine “tied the knot” for many young couples. Eventually, he was captured and executed on Feb. 14, 269 C.E. Before his death, he smuggled a message to a girl he had befriended while imprisoned — the first Valentine’s Day card.

Aw! So sweet. It melts even my cold, bitter, single heart. So even without a special someone you can still get in the spirit, right? Since I’ve been making up lots and lots of Valentine’s Day related goodies for Etsy there’s really no way I can avoid the holiday, so I might as well embrace it. A while ago I came up with this list of alternatives to sitting alone on V-Day and this year I’ve got a few plans to get into the spirit…

• I actually managed to get my orchid to re-bloom but one of the blossoming branches broke off in my recent move. So in an attempt to make myself feel a little better about the situation I’m buying myself another orchid. It won’t be the same but it will still be pretty…
• My BFF and I are making reservations at The Melting Pot for a romantic dinner for two. Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a pot of melted chocolate and liquor (yes, fondue made from milk chocolate + Bailey’s is pretty much the best thing ever).
• After dinner we’re going to go see a romantic comedy…maybe Valentine’s Day?
• My birthday is shortly after V-Day so I’m considering gifting myself with a piece of jewelry as an early birthday present – I’m thinking the Jessica Cushman Zodiac Cuff

(photo by Ella’s Dad)

Here are a few more ideas to get you in the mood…or something.

• Take a relaxing bath - turn off the lights, light up some candles and try adding a few of these things to your bath – Black Tea and Mint Bath Salts, Warm Vanilla Sugar Powdered Milk Bath, Beach Babe Bath Bomb Cupcake, Floral Bomb Bath Gelato or Pink Cedar and Tuber Rose Soap
• Check out Sephora’s Valentine’s treats – Philosophy’s Kiss Me Lip Gloss, Too Faced’s Walk of Shame Set (not sure if this is more handy for the single or the attached ladies), Nars’ Temptation Gift Set, Robert Piguet Little Pink Box Fragrance Set or Sephora’s Give Me Some Lip Valentine’s Day Gift Set
• Get some new sheets! I love my Quilt from Anthropologie, and fully encourage you to scour the sale racks. Oh, and these Happy Heart Sheets are super colorful, cute and reasonably priced, or if you’d like to indulge Gaiam has some beautiful organic sheets, my favorite being the red and white Fiore Bedding. If you’re looking for something cozy, everyone in my family is obsessed with Northern Nights bedding and can’t say enough good about them.
• Lingerie…who doesn’t love lingerie? And when you’re single you wonder “what’s the point, because no one is ever going to see it?” So Valentine’s Day is, in my opinion, a good excuse to treat yourself. Pretty Plum Sugar has a sweet little lounge set, and how cute are these How to Marry a Millionaire Side Tie Knickers? Check out this Organic Cotton Peacock Tank and Panty Set, or this super sweet Organic Cotton Chemise with Flounces and Ruffles (yeah, I totally want this). On the Inside’s Forget Me Not Panties (their word not mine, I kind of hate it) have great reviews, and Under the Root makes custom Bloomers.
• Homemade treats! Sure, you could make some homemade treats…or you could just go buy some homemade treats made by someone else, like this Pink Champagne Truffles, anyone of the amazing sounding caramels (Almond, Cardamom & Honey or Lavender & Vanilla Bean !?) from La Bella Caramella, Pecan Pralines (a fav of mine) or  how about have some Cupcakes delivered to yourself? Because that just might be the best idea ever.
• Read a ridiculous romance – Actually, it doesn’t have to be that ridiculous. According to some random statistic whose source I know not, “Women who read romance novels are reported to make love 74% more often than women who do not read romance novels.” Hell, if romance novels are going to improve my nonexistent love life maybe I ought to get a subscription to Harlequin. Some less trashy alternatives are The Time Traveler’s Wife (it made me cry), The Outlander Series (it’s less lame than the review thinks it sounds), the Into the Wilderness series, which picks up where Last of the Mohicans left off, or if  you’re into vampires try to Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) books, fantasy? – Stardust. Anyway, there are loads of books out there to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
  

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