Valentine’s Day has become a huge commercialized un-holiday across the Western world. From simple origins, this day has become the biggest gift-giving occasion after Christmas in the U.S.

As with other “holidays” (Halloween for example), Jamaica has followed suit. Shortly after the Christmas decorations are taken down, stores transform into explosions of red, white and pink. The newspapers are currently filled with ads for Valentine’s Day shows, concerts, dinners, and gift ideas.

Along side the growth of Valentine’s Day, there has been the underground movement of Anti-Valentine’s. Organized groups like Black Hearts Party have created an actual sub-culture, with events and merchandise (hmm, imagine that) to commemorate their disgust.

Their manifesto describes Valentine’s Day as ‘an arbitrary, artificial holiday‘ that ‘should serve as the official manifestation of love between all people of all types everywhere‘ where ‘those countless varieties of people, in all their diversity, should conform to preset behaviors and activities when demonstrating their love on this day, should all think in exactly the same way, which, coincidentally enough, is also the same way the executives at Hallmark and the Disney Corporation think.’ They rebel against being ‘forced [...] to celebrate the bright, sunny, sugar-coated, synthetic side of love‘ and instead choose to ‘celebrate the dark, grim reality‘. Their mission: to propagate the truth about love.
If you’re sick of the forced sentimentality of Valentine’s (or maybe just bitter that you have no one to feel soppy about), then you have probably considered having an anti-Valentine’s party. Here are some tips for you:

• Date: Well, stick with the obvious to make your point. February 14th it is.
• Venue: Avoiding cozy romantic restaurants is a start unless your goal is the piercing glares of couples disturbed by the maniacal cackling. Otherwise go for anywhere you can shut out the rest of world and focus on your party.
• Time: Unfortunately, this year’s Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday so the working people may find it difficult to take the whole day. But having it after work ours will allow them to build up a good stock of bitterness after being surrounded by all the red and white clad office workers.
• Guest list: This is usually pretty easy. Those of your friends who have been single for a long time or are newly single are usually good prospects. To widen the scope you may include those people in long-distance relationships or with impending break-ups (though let them imply it, do not suggest it). Couples are strictly forbidden at these events.
• Dress code: Traditionally, black works well here but anything that is not in the red, white or pink family will do. Alternatively, shirts with snarky anti-love statements would also be appropriate.
• Decorations: If you’re looking to really stick with your theme, black is your colour for the night. Red can be incorporated via blood and broken hearts. Dead or wilting flowers can add to the ambiance.
• Refreshments: Wine and chocolates are definitely out. Aim to keep the romance factor out of your mouths for this event. Stick with gritty real food items like beer and chips. Anything that will encourage belching will aid in entertainment.
• Entertainment: This is where it gets fun. Use your creativity. Horror films where the cute couple gets killed are great for morale. Any movie where murders happen on Valentine’s Day is good for a laugh. Mix it up. Drinking games involving the foibles of exes can serve multiple purposes. Check out this great list of ideas if you want to get really involved.