Three Mumbaikars share unique ways to celebrate love on Valentine's Day

Get inspired by the different ways in which you can celebrate love and not Valentine’s Day with our curated February 14 list and some ideas from three Mumbaikars

First, self-love

WE are breaking up with the exclusive and boring concept of love that Valentine’s Day preaches for one where love encompasses its full nature. In a world that places coupledom high on the social hierarchy, celebrating one’s solitude is seen as doing something brave, when it isn’t. What it actually is, is a feeling that stems from truth, respect and acknowledgment. To 27-year-old student Abhishta Lalwani, this love comes naturally. Her plans for February 14 include a night in, watching rom-coms and cooking for herself to, as she tells us, “Give myself the love I want to give someone and hold on to the hope of finding love someday.” Lalwani wasn’t conscious of what struck us as an honest and self-aware response. “I remember watching a Harry Styles concert video recently where he said that you have to fill your own cup first, and let someone fall in love with the overflow. That stayed with me. We’ve overused the term self-love and self-care but to actually be able to find love for yourself requires time,” she shares. Lalwani might be joined by her girlfriends too; another setting to surround yourself with love.

Paul and Mike collaborates with Playboy for themed chocolates

For self-care

Paul and Mike have collaborated with Playboy for a new range of chocolates this Valentine’s week.
LOG ON TO paulandmike.co
COST Rs 1,000 onwards

Kinni Jhaveri with Rehaan

We are family

For the last eight years, 37-year-old Kinni Jhaveri’s valentine has been her eight-year-old son, Rehaan. She feels that he is old enough to know that today’s plan is not just a day out but a day to celebrate familial love. “We’re doing all of his favourite things. So after school, we’ll head to the beach, go to a pet café — he loves animals — and then end it with a family dinner,” she shares.

Friendship forever

After Neil Martis posted an Instagram Story mentioning that he had no plans, a friend responded immediately with ‘now you do.’ Located in separate cities, their meet-up will take place virtually. Heading in for a chill evening, Martis shares, “We’ll have some wine, he’ll cook, I’ll order in. We’re hanging out.”

For pet-parents

Customise a pet portrait. Make Mail kicked off the idea with a Valentine’s day giveaway but they’re open for commissions. So you can celebrate your love for a furry friend any day.
LOG ON TO @make.mail

For the writer

. Bookleaf publishing is embracing singlehood with Haq Se Single. They’re offering the chance to be a part of an anthology of poems for free. Limited slots left and there’s no theme.
LOG ON TO bookleafpub.in

. Revival Disability Mag collaborates with Tarshi’s e-magazine In Plainspeak to call for submissions on the theme Reclaiming Disabled Intimacy.
DEADLINE February 16
LOG ON TO @tarshingo or @revivaldisabilityindia

For the non-celebrator

Mumbai Indie Film Festival is hosting a masterclass with Sriram Raghavan on creating characters in scripts.
TIME 4 pm AT Number 3, Mhada Four Bungalows, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO @mumbaiindiefilmsociety3.0 
COST Rs 700

For the gal gang

Celebrate Galentine’s at Cafe Arpan and get 14 per cent off while you support this inclusive café run by adults with developmental disabilities.
TIME 11 am to 8 pm
AT Juhu Ruturaj CHS, opposite SNDT Women’s University, Santacruz West.

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