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The bitter are taking back Valentine's Day

Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - For some, Valentine's Day isn't all about roses, chocolates and plush teddy bears.

For the bitter, the broken-hearted, the lonely and the happily single, Feb. 14 can be frustrating. The move toward anti-Valentine's Day sentiment is growing.

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An anti-Valentine's Day movement is growing across the country as more and more singles are taking back the day. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

Those who refuse to sit back and allow the lovers and the romantics to have all the fun are taking back Valentine's Day with T-shirts, cards and other products protesting the sappy love-filled holiday.

In Yellowknife, anti-Valentine's Day cards and gifts are hard to come by. There does seem to be a demand in the city as Sutherland's Drugs had a few in stock but sold out by Feb. 6.

That doesn't mean Yellowknifers can't take to the Internet to find the perfect anti-Valentine's Day sentiment. Or celebrate being unattached with a singles party and remind each other of all the money you're not spending on a special someone. The website Cafepress.com offers a wide selection of products for people who would rather celebrate their single status or demonstrate their hatred of Valentine's Day altogether. T-shirts with slogans like "Cupid shot me with an arrow. So I ripped his wings off," "I love my bike, it never expects flowers or chocolates" and "Valentine's Day Sucks" are available to order. The designs on the site are all created by its users.

Anti-Valentine's Day "is really popular," said Marc Cowlin, spokesperson for Cafepress. "The (designs) that are selling the best are the ones that take a humorous approach to anti-Valentine's Day."

About five years ago, the site saw a shift from sweet and romantic Valentine's Day sentiments to ones that were "a little bit more dark in spirit," he said.

"It really just shows you not everybody loves Valentine's Day," said Cowlin.

Another option for the jilted or bitter is EBay's "Love Hangover" online sales. Abandoned Valentine's Day gifts will be listed on the site on Feb. 15. Unwanted Valentine's gifts and presents from ex-lovers and relationships gone awry will be for sale.

"We've noticed a trend in that people are putting a lot of things up for sale, especially around Valentine's Day," said EBay spokesperson Orlena Lee.