Everything you need for Valentine's Day

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day has maintained its popularity as the day of romance since The Feast of Saint Valentine in AD 496. While the holiday is met with some scepticism over its commercialisation, it is still widely celebrated over 1,500 years later, with comparison site Finder.com revealing that 76% of Brits embraced Valentine’s Day in 2021.

However, there’s no doubt that today’s dating game can feel, at times, exactly that: a game. New apps, etiquette and even lingo (does anyone know what ‘oystering’ means?) emerge regularly, and it’s up to the game’s most dedicated players to keep up, or else fall behind. If you’re feeling jaded by the world of dating, but still want to find that perfect connection, we’ve included some apps and products in our guide to help you out.

Meanwhile, if you’re in a couple, this year presents an opportunity to celebrate your partnership outside of the confines of lockdown. Hospitality is back open, which means that a proper date could be on the cards. In which case, we have some recommendations on how to look and feel your best while being wined and dined.

On the other hand, despite the associations between Valentine’s Day and coupledom, there’s no reason why this holiday can’t be about self love, too. A quarter of Brits treat themselves on February 14th, which shows that a growing number of people are choosing to do their own thing in the face of tradition. Self care activities are your go-to this Valentine’s, and we’ve got plenty to keep you busy.

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