The 14th of February

Although it's actually been a couple of days since Valentine's Day, I thought that in this rare quiet period I'd pen a couple of thoughts on the day that has dominated this week.

I think that Valentine's Day, like most other major holidays, is neither an entirely good nor an entirely bad thing. As with most things in life, it's how one approaches it. I suppose the only thing that Valentine's Day (or indeed Christmas or any other major holiday) does is amplify our characters - everything is brought out into the open.

There will of course be the counter-culture warriors, who stalwartly 'bah humbug' their way to spinsterhood and lonely bachelordom, the opportunistic women, who see the day as a way to bludgeon yet another diamond bracelet out of their man, and the under-invested man who sees Valentine's Day as a way to keep his woman's emotional needs satiated for the year. It's not hard to see why these sort of people give the day a bad name.

Amidst all the gift giving and general chaos in the package delivery industry it's easy to forget that there are those who choose to utilise the day appropriately: Valentine's Day, as it is conceived in the public imagination, is a day on which we focus on love. This does not mean that it is THE day for romance, to the exclusion of others; nor does it necessitate the vapid and perfunctory giving competitions that are an unfortunate by-product of a consumption-based society. Valentine's Day should be viewed as an opportunity to do for others rather than a burden or an opportunity to receive.

So next time February 14 rolls around, give your significant other a call and let them know how much you love them. Buy something nice for them, go out for dinner and maybe even do what most couples end up doing on Valentine's Day. Just don't forget that Valentine's Day is about you and your partner, not about anyone else. Have eyes for your partner only, and trust them to have eyes only for you. Personally I think that that's more special than any amount of roses or chocolate.

And I know what you're asking - is that what I did for Valentine's Day? Does the man practice what he preaches? Well you'll have to wait until next year for that one as well - I claim exemption on the basis of being single.

Best of luck to all the world's couples, and I hope you had a great Valentine's Day.