Shoot the arrow in the right direction this Valentine's Day

Julie Veinot

Valentine's Day has nothing to do with chocolate.

That goes for the colours pink and red - who gets to decide these things, anyway?

It's sad to see useless teddy bears and cupid dolls stacked on store shelves because shops think consumers are too stupid to pick Valentine's gifts from regular merchandise.

Just like Christmas, love shouldn't be limited to one day. Spread it around, make it stretch over the year like the Romans did back in the fifth century, where young Roman men drew girls' names from a box. For the rest of the year, the girl was his sexual companion. If, at the end of the year, the match was suitable, the couple would marry. If the pairing was less than satisfactory, they'd part ways.

Sadly for the Roman youth, the lottery was changed so the young men would draw the names of saints. They would emulate them for the year instead of winning a young woman.

While this was going on, the church was looking for a patron saint of love to represent the holiday, so they named it after a bishop beheaded by Emperor Claudius for performing marriage ceremonies at a time when marriage was banned.

Apparently married soldiers made bad soldiers because they had families who didn't want them to die. Go figure.

The first true Valentine card was sent in 1415 and since then we've been inundated with little cards decorated with the latest fad, whether it be Garfield or Star Wars.

This year, Harry Potter valentines hit the shelves - after all, why pass up wonderful sales, even if Potter has nothing to do with the holiday?

That headless bishop must be rolling over in his grave. Where's the love?

This year, instead of buying another holiday gimmick, be original. Shower the world with some true love and affection.
Instead of sending flowers, buy a plant that will make the air in someone's house cleaner.

Not sure where to go out to eat? Go to the grocery store. Buy red meat, red onions, red potatoes and cake, then eat like a king.

Forget heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and make a donation to the Charlottetown Food Bank. And don't buy lima beans - get something you'd actually eat. It's too easy to empty your cupboards of stuff you bought but will now not touch with a 10-foot pole. Remember little kids are eating it.

Tempted to buy red teddy bears? There's enough animals in this world. Make a donation to the P.E.I. Humane Society. Maybe you're looking for a pet and maybe a pet is looking for a home. What better way to spread your love around?

Still feel the need to give something red? Donate blood. Truly give someone that warm feeling inside. The gift of life.

Although holidays have become hokey in the last few years, staring us in the eye every time we walk into a department store, there are ways to freshen up the season.

The feeling you get from giving something needed will outweigh the feeling you get when you buy another red gift someone stuffs in their sock drawer.

Be original.