Valentine’s Day: The Best or Worst Holiday?

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure that I’m qualified to write this article. I don’t know very much about love, and even less about relationships. I’ve only been on a Valentine’s date once, when I was 18 and it didn’t go very well. After a dinner where I showed off to my date about being an environmentally conscious vegetarian and subsequently ordered a chicken burger, I realised I couldn’t afford to pay for both of us. And then, once we agreed to split the bill, I found out the hard way (my card got declined, again) that I didn’t have enough money to pay for myself either. In front of my date, I had to call my mum and ask for an emergency bank transfer to complete the transaction. Let’s just say, both women were unimpressed.

Doesn’t it suck to be single on the day of love?

Despite this traumatic experience, I do think there’s something special about the night of February the 14th. In a basic sense, there’s nothing to dislike about Valentine’s Day. It’s just an excuse to go on a date with someone you (think you) like. What’s the worst that can happen? They stand you up, the conversation runs dry, you realise you’re broke midway through the meal… these are not disasters. And you never know? It might be the best night of your life. Maybe the person sitting opposite you is the one. Certainly, Valentine’s Day can never be as bad as waking up on Christmas morning and finding out that your brother got a PlayStation Five instead of you.

But is Valentine’s Day the best holiday of them all? It’s amazing if you’re in a loving relationship, but I’m not sure a singleton would agree. Doesn’t it suck to be single on the day of love? And if you’re recently heartbroken, it must feel like the world is collapsing in on you as you scroll through Instagram, seeing all the happy couples posting together, while you’re sitting by yourself on the sofa.

Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic, but I genuinely believe that the one night of the year dedicated exclusively to love is the best holiday of them all.

Undoubtedly, Valentine’s Day is terrible if you’re lonely. But I don’t think this objection applies uniquely to February the 14th. Any major holiday: Christmas, Easter, Eid, Hannukah etc, is awful if you feel alone, and great if you’re surrounded by your friends and family. Yet, Valentine’s at its best has that something extra over those other celebrations. I’m lucky enough to enjoy a mostly great Christmas with my family every year, but I’ve seen my parents on the night of (and morning after) February the 14th. They’re glowing. They never look like that on Christmas Day.

Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic, but I genuinely believe that the one night of the year dedicated exclusively to love is the best holiday of them all. I don’t think it matters whether you are single or in a relationship; Valentine’s Day reminds us to look out for the people we care about the most in our lives. If you’re in a relationship, be like my dad and bring flowers home from work. And if you’re single, don’t spend the night alone: call your friends and reminisce about past mistakes, lost loves and missed opportunities. Remind yourself of the good (and bad) times. Its cathartic. And if you’re still feeling lonely, you can always get drunk and try your luck at Smack. That’s what I’ll be doing.