Australian creatives tell us what they really think about Valentine’s Day, and how they’re spending it

February 14, love or hate?

Notoriously depressing for singles and pressure-filled for the spoken for, Valentine’s Day can be a dreaded day on the calendar. Yes, gaudy cards, human-sized stuffed animals and a sinking feeling of loneliness can be some of the side effects of February 14.

But as someone who is spending their first V-Day with a romantic partner (and who has spent many past holidays with platonic loves), I’m here to say it can be fun if spent honestly, authentically and intimately. Be it by yourself, with a trusted confidante, or at home on the couch with your paramour and a bottle of pet nat, Valentine’s can be enjoyable for the romantics and cynics alike.

Looking for more heartwarming stories on life and love? Subscribe here and we’ll send them straight to your inbox.

Whether you’re celebrating ironically, ignoring the day altogether, or commemorating the first coupled-up one of its kind, it’s a date we cannot ignore. To mark the occasion in a non-cringe, comforting, human and (hopefully) less-commercial way, we’ve asked a handful of Australian creatives to share how they’re spending The Big V. Hopefully, these responses will demonstrate that the best ways of telling our favourites how much we cherish them are the very simplest.

Louis Hanson, writer, presenter and columnist

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louis Hanson (@louishanson)

How are you spending this Valentine’s Day?

I should probably plan something cute for my actual real-life boyfriend (who is real!), to celebrate it being the first time in a long, long time that I have an actual real-life boyfriend (who is real!) on Valentine’s Day. But I haven’t planned anything yet. Maybe we will slurp caviar by candlelight. Maybe we will have a staring contest. The opportunities are endless.

Who are you wishing a happy Valentine’s Day to, and why?

I’m wishing a happy Valentine’s to my actual real-life boyfriend Cam (who is real!) and Timomatic.

What are your feelings towards the concept of V-Day? Have these feelings changed over time?

I’ve had historically frosty-to-lukewarm feelings towards Valentine’s Day. This may or may not be influenced by the fact that I spent the last five Valentine’s Days single, drinking expired red wine and Googling ‘is love real?’. My cold, cold heart may be starting to melt, but I will still drink that expired wine.

@louishanson

Tani Edwards, model

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tanisha Edwards (@tani_ed)

​​How are you spending this Valentine’s Day?

I’m lucky enough to be spending this Valentine’s Day on set in the Otways! After work, I’ll head home for dinner and maybe a glass of wine with my partner, Tom. My perfect evening.

Who are you wishing a happy Valentine’s Day to, and why?

This year, I’m wishing my beautiful partner Tom a happy Valentine’s Day. My best friend, my safe space, my happiness. I love him so much! I’d also like to wish my beautiful parents a happy Valentine’s Day.

The love and life they have created for our family is something that I admire deeply. I feel so lucky to be able to love and be loved by them. Their love is the benchmark for the love that I give and receive, and I can’t thank them enough for that. I love them so much.

What are your feelings towards the concept of V-Day? Have these feelings changed over time?

Love is the foundation for everything in my life that gives me joy and happiness. The opportunity to celebrate love in any capacity is something that I think is invaluable. The concept of Valentine’s Day though, I think is overly commercialised and rooted in economic gain as opposed to an authentic celebration of love.

I feel as though Valentine’s Day tends to pigeonhole love as emulating White, middle-class ideals, forgetting that love is a universal experience. Valentine’s Day should create space for all to acknowledge, enjoy, and celebrate the love they give and receive!

@tani_ed

Tara-Lee Mitchell, founder of Mitch Studio

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tara-lee Mitchell (@taralee_mitch)

​​How are you spending this Valentine’s Day?

I’m actually spending Valentine’s Day doing something extremely unglamorous… I’m getting a colonoscopy. Lol. Then I’ll most likely end the day on the couch with my husband watching Survivor and Euphoria.

Who are you wishing a happy Valentine’s Day to, and why?

I’m wishing Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband and all of my close friends that I love.

What are your feelings towards the concept of V-Day? Have these feelings changed over time?

I think the concept of Valentine’s Day is very dated, and it’s not something I really acknowledge anymore but spending time with a loved one is always nice. This view has definitely changed as I’ve gotten older!

@taralee_mitch

Ruby Staley, writer and editor

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ruby Staley (@rubystaley_)

How are you spending this Valentine’s Day?

This Valentine’s Day, and many previously, will just be another day of the week for me. I’ll probably work all day and, if I’m lucky, maybe have a nice dinner and a couple of cheeky drinks with my housemate if she’s not busy. Otherwise, I’ll take the opportunity for some me time, catch up on Netflix, have a wine in the bath, or finish off my book.

Who are you wishing a happy Valentine’s Day to, and why?

I’m extremely single, so I probably won’t be wishing anyone a HVD – in a romantic sense, anyway. But it could be a good reminder to tell all of my wonderful friends and family how much I love them, because let’s be honest, I probably don’t tell them enough.

What are your feelings towards the concept of V-Day?

I’m pretty ambivalent towards Valentine’s Day. I hate how commercialised it’s become, but I’m also a hopeless romantic so I love relishing other people’s love. I live for the IG pics and surprise proposals that this day usually prompts, but personally, I’ve never really felt like joining in.

Have these feelings changed over time?

The only V-Day celebrations I can remember taking part in were back over 10 years ago. I baked my year 7 boyfriend brownies and dropped them to him after school. There may have been some hand-holding involved – romantic, hey? Hah. Other than that, I’ve always felt a little indifferent to the day, even when I had a partner at the time, it’s just not something I gravitated towards. I don’t looove Christmas either, so I guess you could say that I’m a bit of a holiday grinch.

@rubystaley_