Ditch the Roses: A South Asian Guide to Owning Valentine’s Day
By Kireth Sandhu - February 2025
Valentine’s Day is coming, and let’s be real - it's a Western import that doesn’t always fit into our world. For young South Asians, February 14th can feel like a weird blend of Bollywood-level romance, family side-eyes, and Instagram flexing. But why play by their rules? Let’s shake things up and celebrate love on our own terms.
Forget the Overpriced Roses 🥀 Celebrate on Your Terms
You don’t need generic romance tropes to have a meaningful Valentine’s Day. Make it personal.
Date Night, But Make It Cultural: Skip the basic dinner-and-a-movie routine. Cook your grandma’s legendary biryani, host a throwback Bollywood viewing party, or hit up a South Asian underground music gig. Bonus points if you and your date match in cultural fits.
Galentine’s or Malentine’s? Rebel Against Romance: Who decided this day had to be about couples? Get your crew together for a real celebration. Spicy chai-fueled debates, a karaoke-dance sesh, or a no-filter Q&A session on dating, family, and life as a Melanin member in the West. Want extra drama? Throw in a matchmaking game and be a judgemental auntie/ uncle for a night.
Reclaim the Family Narrative: South Asian parents love to act confused about Valentine’s Day until you remind them they had a secret courtship story too. This year, flip the script. Buy them flowers, cook them a candlelit dinner, and help your dad finally write that romantic WhatsApp message to your mum.
Self-Love, but Make It Loud
Single? Situationship? Zero interest in the holiday? Perfect. Valentine's Day is the ultimate excuse to remind yourself of all the luxury your culture has given you.
Pamper Yourself, South Asian Style: Not all self-care is soft and gentle. Give yourself a turmeric skin remedy, oil your hair, blast bangers in your language and have a bath that would make a Bollywood lead jealous. Think of those soulful romantic songs and movie scenes that have you yearning for or rejecting love completely.
Write a Love Letter to Your Culture - Or Roast It: We have a love-hate relationship with our heritage, and that’s okay. Get all your thoughts about dating as a South Asian in a Western society out on a piece of paper. Whether it’s celebrating finding someone with the same spice and flavour tolerance as you, or ranting about unsolicited matrimonial offers. Write it. Maybe don’t post it 😂 Burn it 🔥 It’s your call.
Have a Statement Photoshoot: Forget the thirst traps and break the rose-filled feed for real. Message a friend and choose a nice location. Drape yourself in your boldest cultural attire, strike a pose, and flood the feeds of your ex’s, friend’s (and crush 👀). You’ll look back on Valentine’s 2025 with a laugh.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, family, or just yourself, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about following Western norms or caving to commercial pressure. Make it your own. Infuse it with the traditions, flavours, and people that truly make you feel loved.
Happy spiced-up Valentine’s Day from the MM team!
