Valentine’s Day, sometimes also known as St. Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated worldwide on February 14. On this day, lovers express their romantic affection with greeting cards and gifts. Common Valentine gifts include chocolates, red roses, or a romantic dinner.
It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. It is primarily celebrated as a day for love, usually romantic love, but in some countries, it is also observed as a day for expressing love to family and friends. Additionally, it serves as a commercial celebration that boosts sales for businesses like florists and chocolate makers.
In Nigeria, Valentine’s Day on February 14 is absolutely crazy. Entire streets, hotels, stores, and restaurants are decorated in red, pink, and white streamers, with big heart-shaped signs wishing passersby a Happy Valentine’s Day. Fancy and fast-food restaurants are packed with couples dining out for the holiday. A city that usually gets sleepy around 8:30 p.m. becomes bustling with cars and people out for the night. Boys even walk around in traffic selling heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cakes wrapped in red cellophane for those who were unlucky or forgot to buy gifts earlier.
In places like the U.S., Valentine’s Day is all about chocolates and roses. Any woman would be satisfied and happy to receive those items from her partner. However, in Nigeria, it is different. A woman might just laugh if her partner showed up with a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates. These gifts are not considered particularly special here. A man who makes this mistake may suffer the wrath of an angry girlfriend on Valentine’s Day! In Nigeria, the preferred gifts are the three C’s: cakes, cell phones, and cars.
Valentine’s Day is not traditionally part of Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa culture, but the younger Nigerian generation values this holiday, named after Saint Valentine, with great anticipation and delight. Hopefully, I will get to hear girls gossip and try some of their Valentine’s cakes tomorrow, especially since Nigeria has declared a public holiday to observe Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.
As a single person, Valentine’s Day is always a lovely opportunity to show yourself love, relaxation, and pampering. Since you’re not spending money on a partner, why not spoil yourself instead?
Pamper yourself this Valentine’s Day with a little self-care. Treat yourself to a spa day—whether at a luxury spa for a massage, facial, or body treatment, or by creating a relaxing experience at home with scented candles and face masks. Give your mind and body the rest they deserve. Eat well, sleep deeply, and let go of all worries. Valentine’s Day should be about relaxation—no stress, no pressure, just peace.
If you’d rather stay in, have a chill day at home binge-watching Nollywood classics, Netflix series, or K-dramas, playing video games, or getting lost in a good book. You can also indulge in a new skincare routine by finally buying that fancy moisturizer or serum you’ve been eyeing.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day isn’t solely for couples; it is also for singles, whether in a relationship or not, and even for children. It’s a celebration of love in all its forms, including self-love.
Whether you indulge yourself, create something meaningful, or give back to others, make Valentine’s Day—also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine—a joyous occasion.
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