Card shops are stuffed with red hearts; florists' windows are taken up with giant bouquets of roses and restaurant chefs are busily planning special menus for two.
Valentine's Day is big business and romance is already in the air as February 14 approaches. For many couples the day of love is seized upon as a time to treat their loved one - but others can feel very differently.
Whether in a loved-up relatonship or not, some people just don't like the commercialisaton of the day - even though it's a celebration with ancient origins - and some find it a bit corny. And then there are those, including singletons, who might just want to go out with mates and have a good night without feeling like gooseberries at a mass love-in.
Read more: Valentine's Day events around the North East
Over recent years there has been a growing number of 'anti-Valentine' events taking place on or around Valentine's Day to cater for single people and groups of pals. Here are some of those taking place this year for friends keen to celebrate a Palentine’s or Galentine’s Day - and, of course, happy couples will be as welcome as anyone as the events are open to all.
They include more unusual ideas and, for those who might prefer to spend their downtime with their pets, we've included a Valentine doggy social too.
Anti-Valentine's Day at The Stand
You can always rely upon the Newcastle comedy club to laugh off the blues and anyone looking for some anti-Valentine cheer can pop along on the night of February 14 for lots of stand-up fun.
It asks: "Single and sick of all the hearts, flowers and smug couples? In a smug couple but sick of all the commerciality and fake sentiment? Come laugh in a dark basement with us instead."
The host for the night has yet to be announced but the line-up will feature headliner Matt Reed plus fellow comedians Sacha Lo, Anna Thomas and Cal Halbert. Doors will open on the night at 7.30pm. To buy tickets, which cost £10 or £8 for members and concessions, see here.
Burlesque dancing
The South Causey Arch in County Durham is inviting people to dress down rather than up for two-hour Valentine's Burlesque Dancing Class. And that means the likes of gym wear, leggings and a top, and trainers or ballet pumps - even bare feet if preferred.
Hosted by Trixie Blue, the February 14 dance class will get under way around 7.30pm after a Causey Cocktail upon arrival which should help loosen up the limbs. The cost is £38 and to book see here.
Other themed events at the pub include Valentine's Cocktail Masterclasses on February 11 and gift vouchers are also available. Find out more here.
Anti-Valentine's Day Movie Night
Fire pits will be adding to the atmosphere at the outdoor Ouseburn Garden while it hosts its first (Anti) Valentine's special: a screening of True Romance on February 14. In Stepney Road, tucked under Newcastle's Byker Bridge, the container drink, food and music venue - formerly known as Under The Bridge - will be showing the movie on a big screen at 7pm.
Tony Scott’s film, described as a 'cult classic', tells the story of a lonely pop culture geek in Detroit who marries a call girl, steals cocaine from her pimp, and tries to sell it in Hollywood. And The Mob owners of the cocaine are out to track them down.
It might not sound the most romantic pick of film for Valentine's Day but, as Ouseburn Garden points out, this is not a couples-only event. It suggests people arrive at 6.30pm and says: "We welcome and encourage all movie lovers solo or otherwise."
On the night, local food favourites Brack Burger will be offering food alongside the usual bar menu. The film itself will be free but spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To book see here.
Anti-Valentine’s Eco-friendly Crafty Evening
This Cullercoats event, which bills itself as an anti-Valentine's sustainable art and craft activity, asks are we "fed up with the annual festival of mass-produced romance? Frustrated by consumerist frenzy and the waste produced by soppy commercialised goods?"
Well, if so, then the answer, it suggests, is this opportunity to create a trio of self-love crafts and also to eat cake - and it sounds like a winning combination. The setting for the night is the Cullercoats Watch House in Front Street which has to be worth a visit in its own right.
It takes place on February 16 and tickets, costing £15, are available here. Organisers point out that it's open to all - whether "single, happily loved-up or prefer not to think about it" and they add: "This is not a lonely hearts/ single-pity event by any means. This is an uprising of self-love and self-care!"
Valentine's Day Charity Speed Dates
An invitation saying: "Don't be sad and alone on Valentine's Day - come have some drinks and meet some sexy singles!" could be an offer you can'r refuse on February 14 when this charity speed dating night by Newcastle Northern Angels takes place at The WonderBar in The Gate, Newcastle.
With arrival from 7.30pm for an 8pm start, the event will run until around 11.30pm and will be, it says, "a chance to speak to loads of new people". Note that this event is now booked up but there's an opportunity to join a wait list for tickets if any become free: see here.
Valentine’s taxidermy workshop
Here's something that will make a new talking point with friends - if you can say its full title that is: Valentine's Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy Workshop. It's a day-long event out to fit the bill for those looking for something completely different to do.
Taking place on February 19, the seven-hour mouse taxidermy experience - from 9.30am until 4.30pm - will take place at Moth Studios in Newcastle and is a class for beginners to show the process of skinning, cleaning and manniken-making before the mouse is reassembled.
Taxidermist Sherene Scott says she obtains all her speciments lawfully and responsibly and treats them respectfully. Read more in a previous ChronicleLive interview with her here.
Sherene's workshop, which has very limited spaces and is described as "unlike any other event in the North East", costs £125 and the end result is to take home. There's a £95 Valentine's Death-head Hawkmoth dome-decorating workshop on offer on February 9 too. See here.
The Morpeth Valentine's Ghost Tour
A night of 'ghosts, witches and other dark local history' lies in store in Morpeth on this February 11 ghost tour which asks: "What more could your true love want for Valentines Day?"
With a meeting point in Morpeth Market Square at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, the tour will be led by psychic entertainer and specialist Cara Hamilton and her fellow hosts who will reveal how the Northumberland market town has hauntings that rival York.
It says: "Its tales touch the heart and will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up." The tour will last for around an hour and is said to be suitable for all the family but note that children's tickets are already sold out.
Tickets for adults cost £10, plus a £1.37 fee, and are selling fast: see here to book.
Dog Valentine's party
Here's one if you really love your pet. Dog owners won't argue with the fact that their four-legged-friends are deserving of treats and some might even prefer to spend their time with their pet than a partner.
So a Valentine's social event for dogs could prove especially popular. It will be taking place just ahead of the big day, on February 12, at Revolution bar in Newcastle.
Read here all about the 'pup-up' cafe which will have separate sessions for dachshunds, doodles, pugs and Frenchies to enjoy toys, treats, competitions and general mixing and mingling with like-minded pooches (and other owners).
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