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“I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine.” – Charles, Duke of Orleans, 1415


Funnily enough, that quote was part of the first record of a valentine being sent.

Valentine’s Day is like Marmite, with Marmite being a bit cheaper and a lot quieter down the supermarket aisles. The public displays of ready to burst heart-shaped balloons and mass-produced cards is enough saccharine sentimentality to send you to the dentist. But the notion as a whole is romantic, if you ignore the overwhelming consumerism – I’m pretty sure there is a chick flick out there for everyone. Plus, no-one wants to be that person who hates love (or at least admit to it).

“Why do I need a day to tell me how to show my love?” we hear you roar with all your heart! Look at it this way; if it weren’t for the weekend, we wouldn’t know it was time to relax and unwind! So instead of swimming against the current traditions that Valentine’s Day has in society, why not just remould it; update it; be a love lover.

Did you know that in some Latin American countries, including Mexico and Ecuador, Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration of romantic relationships, but an affectionate focus on family and friends too? It’s aptly named día del amor y la amistad (day of love and friendship). So we’ve taken inspiration from this and looked at a more inclusive approach to Valentine’s Day – a day for all love.

Why send a card when you can send something which says more for those who heart art?

Queue some fantastic art ideas from yours truly, curated with all our love: philia, pragma, storge, eros, ludus, mania, philautia, and agape. Because love is in everything, humans are complex, and everyone should be involved.

Philia

Affectionate Love. Philia is love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members.

Pragma

Enduring Love.

Storge

Familiar Love.

Eros

Romantic Love.

Ludus

Playful Love.

Mania

Obsessive Love.

Philautia

Self Love.

Agape

Selfless Love.