13 Feb 2020

For many people, Valentine’s Day which is celebrated on February 14th, is the ultimate day for romance.

For others, it is just another day and not a big deal.  But whether one admits it or not,  one can not miss the furore that comes with valentines celebrations.

This year’s Valentines  is on a Friday, which means people can enjoy themselves without worrying about going to work the following day.

The city will be decorated in white and red, and the question on almost everyone’s mind is: how will you celebrate your Valentine’s Day?

Like many festivals, rituals and events in the 21st century, Valentine’s Day has lost much of its original symbolism and meaning.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about people that we care about, but instead we get lost in its craziness and cause ourselves much emotional and physical stress, trying to make dinner reservations at over-priced fancy restaurants or breaking the bank with expensive presents.

Regardless of your past or current thoughts about Valentine’s Day, there are ways to make the day special.

Shops are flooded with hearts, chocolates and fluffy merchandise.

We believe there is an antidote to all this ‘love madness’ and that is to keep it simple.

Perhaps too many people spend money to please or appease, when their partners would simply like to have more time, thought and appreciation from them.

However, the personal touch, the little thoughtful gesture, is often more a sign of true love and commitment than extravagant, over the top romantic gestures.

The right way to think about Valentine’s Day is the opportunity to find a gift that matters for the person you care about.

Malls are on Valentine frenzy, accompanied by the enticing smell of fine dining, giving Gaborone city a different feel.

Whether it is sharing a chocolate bar on mall benches or picnic dates at the parks, it is all in the name of love, Valentine’s Day.

Countless people (and probably an even greater number of ‘singletons’) have asked the vexing question: why do we need a set day to express or confess our love?

Is Valentine’s Day a representation of our romanticism?

One important fact to note is that Valentine’s Day is not only for people in relationships or married people.

There are companies that treat their workers with flowers, chocolates, back and massages, complete with scented candles to ease tension from the long hours, as a form of appreciation for putting in the work.

Single people can also enjoy themselves on this day.

If you feel sad because Valentine’s Day causes feelings of loneliness and reminds you that you are ‘just’ single, it might just help to realise that there are plenty of other single people experiencing Valentine’s Day too.

Meanwhile, think about all the marvelous benefits of being single, from not fighting over the TV remote control to being able to keep your living space as clean or as messy as you would like.

But on the day, one can take their family for an outing, a movie or dinner or they can go with their friends to parties since this year’s Valentines day falls on a Friday. ENDS