Valentines day - love it or loathe it
February is supposedly the month of love. It also happens to be my birthday month, and for 2020 only, my hen party is happening over my birthday weekend. So for me, at least this year, it certainly is the month of love, but it wasn’t always like that for me, and i’m sure for a lot of you our there its a month of dread and loathing.
You either hate or love valentines day - its a very marmite thing. Personally I hate it. If feel that it puts so much unnecessary pressure on relationships, at whatever stage they are.
If you’ve been dating someone for a short amount of time, the subject is fraught with anxiety. Do I get him/her a gift? Do we have to go on a date on Valentines day? Then comes the awkwardness of having to play it cool if the person you’re casually dating doesn’t feel the same way about gift giving/ going out as you do. You feel let down and slightly put out by the whole thing, whilst still trying to maintain a veneer of ‘whatever, we aren’t THAT serious anyway’ when really you’re dying inside.
If you’re in a relationship gift giving can get phenomenally competitive and really costly, particularly if you or your partner likes ‘stuff’.
The worst of it all is being single, and working in an office on Valentines day. I’m reminded of the Valentines episode of The Office US where Phyllis keeps getting gifts delivered to her, each one more extravagant than the next, ending with a giant teddy bear that is literally as big as her. All the single people in The Office are so bitter that they throw themselves a singles party, decorating their party with cherubs that they’ve ripped the wings off of. Its really funny, but then I love The Office full stop. The point is this - although all the single people are genuinely happy that you are with someone every other day of the year, sending gifts to them at work is just rubbing salt in their wounds on valentines day. In fact, its even a little upsetting for the people who are in relationships who have partners that don’t feel the need to publicly profess their love for them to the rest of the office.
This is why I love Galentines day on February 13th. It is all about girlfriends spending time together without the pressure of partners and presents. Just you, your friends and usually some booze and chocolate. I know its not a traditional holiday, but what is a traditional holiday anymore? Plus it’s a load of fun and a good excuse to get all the girls together.
If you are going to get your other half or your friends something for valentines/galentines, I think it should be something small, thoughtful and edible. Even before I started baking as a career, I always loved receiving sweet treats as a gift on valentines because, well who doesn’t love sugar, but also because its a small, reasonably priced token of affections. It works for all levels of relationship and just shows someone you’re thinking of them.
This year i’ve kept it simple with my valentines range and created boxes of mini cupcakes and brownies. Both red velvet flavour and both absolutely delicious. If you have to send something to your partners office, let it be something everyone can share and take enjoyment in. You never know who might need that little pick me up.