Or so the ditty goes. It is especially true now with all the Valentine’s nonsense fogging up our view everywhere we go, says Ipshita Sharma, and comes up with a refreshingly different view on things to do this Valentine’s Day!
This is not an anti valentine’s tirade! Far from it… we love celebrating love in all its forms. Any day that lifts up the important people in our lives or even makes one person smile is worth it.
However the ostentatious 1 million AED proposals are a bit much; so here we will happily talk about how this day can be much more than chocolates and roses and how it is definitely not just a couple thing!
Call it Galentine’s, or Singletine’s or Stagitine’s or even Quirkyalone day — this day is all about the love we can surround ourselves in!
To that end, here are some adorable ideas on how to celebrate valentine’s day with those you love (platonically or otherwise) with experiences instead of buckets of money:
Walk around the Dubai Expo which shuts down in the end of March and will be gone forever. Catch a show, check out the smaller country pavilions, try out a new cuisine. There’s always so much to do!
Volunteer at the Stray Dog Center in UAQ. Home to over 500 doggies and puppies who are always looking to shower love on visitors, this is such an amazing way to celebrate life. These rescue doggies have so much joy inspite of all they’ve been through, and all they want is a hug and a cuddle.
Organise a potluck meal/ bbq/ picnic either somewhere special or at the beach with all your loved ones. Spend quality time with them without all the trappings of Dubai superficiality.
Do something creative together, it could be a simple as putting together a huge puzzle over shawarmas or burritos, or attending a paint and grape event like the ones conducted by We Love Art.
Do a fun brunch like the McGettigan’s lock and key brunch or a singles get-together. A night for all singles, note-sure’s, it’s complicated’s and on-a-breaks! The Lock & Key Brunch is a brunch special where you find your perfect match or have a bit of craic with loads of prizes up for grabs. Singles and couples alike can enjoy the valentine’s atmosphere with great food and unlimited drinks. Or put together a brunch at home where everyone cooks together — feel free to make fun of each other!!
If getting together physically isn’t possible, then send out virtual invites and set up an actual meeting with all your loved ones. Then go around and tell each other what you truly appreciate about each other. Feel free to make it crazier and loonier as you go on. It’s the loony stuff that sticks!
Put on a virtual play with your loved ones, with everyone playing assigned roles, special points for those who are off-book. It can be musicals, dramas or even a K-drama with imaginative breaks for BTS songs!
So go on, think beyond the crazy OTT displays of love. Make it sweet, make it heartfelt, and more than anything make it about those you love rather than about an Instagram-worthy shot.
The Good: Valentine’s Day is all about a celebration of all that’s great in the world
The Bad: Everywhere we go there’s mush n’ gush and crazy displays of flowers and chocolates. Everyone’s talking about 1 million AED proposals and lighting up the Burj Khalifa for a personal message but this day is for more than that.
The Trendy: What’s really cool is finding something to share with someone you love that creates beautiful memories not just for one day but for ever.
Happy Valentine’s Day!