By Laura Medina
Since the majority of people are soured on traditional Valentine's Day, following in the foot steps and in the shadow of Super Bowl 2022 and it's in the middle of the Winter Olympics; and the Super Bowl is most guys' idea of a Valentine's Day, most people are just quitting on Valentine's Day. People are way more excited about the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics.
Can't think of no better time for good sportsmanship, team sports and self-wellness, combining the physical with the emotional with the mental and the physical, mind-body interconnection. Cooperation is key to good sportsmanship among couples or a team. Sometimes, reinforcing mind-body alignment is key to good health.
If playing games, do it the right way. It's all about good sportsmanship.
Today, Dating.com released user survey data revealing that 60% of singles and couples feel Valentine’s Day has lost its luster as a result of the pandemic – and are opting out of celebrations and rituals all together. In short, people feel its more important to show acts of love and appreciation all year long.
Key findings of the survey include:
- 48% of users noted that they want to be shown affection from their partner more regularly throughout the year and 52% said they’ve already begun a new ritual to do so.
- 74% of singles surveyed said that Valentine’s Day adds too much pressure on a potential relationship while 58% of those in relationships think one day isn’t enough to show their appreciation for their partner.
- Of those still celebrating, 63% said they prefer a more intimate night together versus any over the top plans. Similarly, those celebrating noted they’re aiming to spend an average of $150 on Valentine’s Day celebrations and gifts - which isn’t extravagant considering what singles and couples have spent in previous years. Users increasingly prefer quality time spent together over money spent on dinner and gifts.
- Of those not celebrating, 83% noted they’ll be making plans to spend time around Valentine’s Day weekend with friends instead.
As people everywhere continue to reassess their priorities, singles and couples alike agree that Valentine’s Day doesn’t make the list anymore. Dating.com finds single people and people in relationships claim they are opting out of typical Valentine’s Day rituals this year as they believe it’s more critical to make a mindful effort to celebrate appreciation and love - for ourselves and our partners - every day of the year.
In the last two years, couples have been able to have more quality time with their partners. As a result of flexible work and lockdowns, they have used down time to become more and more creative and proactive in planning special moments for date night, more frequently and on any night of the week - leaving traditional moments like Valentine’s Day as an outdated holiday. While special nights out are still a priority within relationships, Dating.com users have cited that Valentine’s Day feels like a forced holiday that’s lost its meaning.
Dating.com surveyed its users to see how singles and couples are spending the holiday and found that 47% are opting out of Valentine’s Day while 32% are having date night at home and 21% made special reservations. Key findings from the survey include:
- 60% said Valentine’s Day has lost its value as a result of the pandemic
- The pressures of the pandemic have affected the way couples offer and receive their partner’s support. 48% of users noted that they want to be shown affection from their partner more regularly throughout the year and 52% said they’ve already begun a new ritual to do so.
- 74% of singles surveyed said that Valentine’s Day adds too much pressure on a potential relationship while 58% of those in relationships think one day isn’t enough to show their appreciation for their partner.
- Quality time is still a top priority. Of those still celebrating, 63% said they prefer a more intimate night together versus any over the top plans. Similarly, those celebrating noted they’re aiming to spend an average of $150 on Valentine’s Day celebrations and gifts - which isn’t extravagant considering what singles and couples have spent in previous years. Users increasingly prefer quality time spent together over money spent on dinner and gifts.
- Of those not celebrating, 83% noted they’ll be making plans to spend time around Valentine’s Day weekend with friends instead.
“It’s no surprise that both singles and couples have given up on Valentine’s Day,” says Maria Sullivan, Vice President and Dating Expert of Dating.com. “Globally, we’ve seen that people are more focused on building strong connections that focus on supporting and celebrating each other all year long. Our findings show us that, amid the additional stress from the ongoing pandemic, singles and couples feel overwhelmed with over the top displays of love. While taking time to recognize these important bonds is important, partners should be giving their lovers these affirmations more frequently than just once a year. The pandemic has accelerated the death of this antiquated commercial holiday as more couples and singles have taken advantage of the flexibility of remote work to plan more creative, intimate dates and set aside quality time for their partners.”
Maria has included her advice on how to create special moments for your loved one all year long. Her tips include:
- Set aside time to ask your partner about their day. It’s important to feel in sync with your lover and know what’s going on in their life. Taking time during a dinner together at home or over coffee can allow you to celebrate their accomplishments together or offer support if they’re having a rough day. Letting them know you're there will mean a lot to them and help to create a stronger bond.
- Surprise them with a thoughtful gift or date. There doesn’t need to be a holiday to show your appreciation for your partner. Flowers, a bottle of wine or a simple yet special date night are easy yet welcomed signs to show how much you care.
- Give them words of affirmation. Telling your partner how proud you are of them or how happy you are with them is just as - if not more than - important as a night out on the town together. While you both can feel the love, explicitly telling your partner will make them feel appreciated and seen.
- Schedule new and exciting plans together. Whether it be traveling to new destinations around the world or trying a new fitness class much closer to home, having these experiences together will make you feel closer as you build new memories. It also keeps the relationship thrilling as you look forward to trying new things together.
There are no better way to set time aside, giving them affirmation and scheduling something new and exciting than playing with new toys during the Super Bowl and the Olympics than...
SEXOLOGIST Kit Richardson, who is a certified sexual health and pleasure educator and the buyer and merchandiser for the New York City’s iconic Museum of Sex.'s self-wellness and self-care toys that can be used alone and on your partner or a group...
The ultimate couples toy is here and is app compatible. The We-Vibe Chorus is a wearable and adjustable vibe that caters to your pleasure while stimulating the most erogenous zones of your body. While the Chorus is designed to sit with one vibrator on the clit and another internally on the g-spot while being penetrated, it can be adjusted to be used in manys ways making it the ultimate couples vibe. Bend the vibe to contour to your hand for enhanced stroking or hold up against your throat for a mouth-watering oral experience. Not to mention the app allows users to control via their phones from anywhere in the world or sync to music and vibe out to tunes. Lil Nas X playlist highly encouraged.
For those spending Valentine’s getting comfy and intimate with themselves, diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but The Rose is any vulva owner’s soul mate. Using air technology, the Rose stimulates the clitoris with back and forth suction movements to mimic the sensation of oral sex. For deep and intense orgams like never before, the Rose is the go to. And, waterproof, just in case.
With soo many options for vulva owners on the market, penis pleasure is sometimes thought to be overlooked; however, with the Lelo FS1 V2, plenis pleasure has been revolutionized and brought center stage. This next generation penis sleeve allows users to engage in a variety of vibration sensations as they stroke. With its SemiSonic technology, the stroker stimulates the penis from all angles using vibration and sonic waves. Not to mention, the toy is app compatible so the user can create their own settings and also connect to their favorite online erotica.
Who doesn’t wand mind-blowing orgasms!? The Je Joue Mio is a strong and flexible vibrating ring designed to keep the wearer harder longer while the receiver experiences vibration during thrusting. What makes the ring soo unique is the deep and rumbly vibrations that travel throughout the body which Je Joue is famous for. Meaning “I Play” Je Joue intensifies everyone’s play time with this comfortable and easy to control ring that can be used in a multitude of ways. On a partner, on a dildo, or even on your fingers.
Whether you are spending Valentine’s out on the town or an intimate night in, the Voodoo Plugwalk Stainless Steel plug is the perfect addition for feeling adventurous and heightened pleasure. Lightweight, comfortable, a tapered for comfort, this anal plug is perfect for all users. Want to further heat up the moment? The plug can be placed in warm water and heated to just the right temperature. Getting too hot? Place under cold water to cool off and experience a chilly and sexy sensation.
Toted as the key to Blended Orgasms, the Ose 2 by Lora Dicarlo is a dual stimulator that combines clitoral and g-spot stimulation. The clitoral head uses Airflow Technology to replicate the sensation of sucking on the cliotirs by a mouth and tongue while the internal arm uses the human-like come-hither stroking motion to tantalize the g-spot. Winner of multiple awards in technology and sex, the Ose 2 is adjustable to find your custom fit for an experience all your own!
Easy to travel with and easy to install, the Sportsheets Under the Bed Restraint System is placed under your mattress and comes with 2 wrist and 2 ankle cuffs to keep your lover secured while engaging kinky fun. The softs and adjustable cuffs create a comfortable and safe experience for those involved. Pair with a blindfold to build anticipation and further enhance sensation. Safe word required.
What is Valentine’s without a sexy game? Intimacy Games’ newly released Sex Talk game includes 69 intimate questions to bring couples closer and enhance their sexual chemistry. Whether reinginting a spark or embarking on new sexual adventures, Sex Talk is great for lovers in all stages of their relationship.
Pleasure products add excitement to play time but for a little extra spice, always add lube. The High on Love CBD infused water-based lube is ideal for any playtime whether by yourself or with a partner. With 200mg of CBD, this lube increases bloodflow and sensation for the best orgasms; Slick, long-lasting, and stimulating its guaranteed to elevate your most intimate moments.
Want a massage oil? Want a candle? This massage candle from Seagrape Apothecary is made to infuse your space and body with the most beautiful scents of coffee, rose, and vetiver.. Burn the aphrodisiac candle for 20-30 minutes until oil has formed, pour the warm sensual oil into your hands and massage onto yourself or partner. Sex Magic leaves skin feeling moisturized and the body relaxed and ready for play time.
After an intense workout, you can release the muscle cramps with massage.
