It’s the time of the year when every party has a red or pink dress code, your email account is packed with flashy e-cards, and the stores fill with teddy bears holding red heart shaped badges that say “I love you”.  Yes, Valentine's is here again. And for those who, like me, despise it, let me borrow a smidgen of your time to explain why.

Of the several reasons that I, like a bitter old lady who never got a single card, hate this pink and red day, the first is a hippie one: love should be honoured and celebrated always. If your boy- or girlfriend needs a special day to spoil you, you might want to consider trading him or her in for a new one. Second, I hate how people feel they have to bitch about how commercialised Valentine’s Day has become. Yes, the post office is filled up with “ystävyyspäivä” cards, grocery stores pack their shelves with heart-shaped chocolate, and you've even found a Nike with a heart on it. We know. Get over it. Even International Cheese Day will be americanised soon. Why nag?

In my younger days I did give and receive cards, an activity I enjoyed more or less but probably less than more. My somewhat desperate attempt to like and participate ended in a big fight with the boyfriend about – surprise, surprise – a valentine gift. This year we’re not even giving each other cards.

But, as I think people should be sweet to each other every day, not only when shops have offers on pandas and turkish delight, here is my top ten list of all-year-round romantic things to do with your muffin in Oulu.

1. Take snuggums to the spa in Eden. And I don’t mean the pool with all the screaming kids, but a rose bubble bath or a foot massage. It’s expensive, but a real winner.

2. Have an evening picnic at the beach. Big bottle of red wine and a bag of crisps should do the trick. Anything more complicated will only get sandy, and sand on the food will not create the right mood.

3. Go to the new movie theatre. The seats in new Plaza are so big and comfy that two people can fit in one chair for all the snuggling and cuddling you can imagine. Sweet and romantic for you, annoying for the people around you.

4. Take sweety chops out for dinner some place else than the average pizza and soft drink for €4.  And no, the slightly more expensive kebabery next to the pizzeria won’t do.

5. For her: buy him a ticket to a Kärpät game and send him out with his mates. As the old saying goes:  “If you really love someone, set him free. If he comes back, he’s yours.” Best of all, a night for yourself. Chips, coke and a chick flick.

6. For him: buy the muffin something pretty, like diamonds. They’re a girl’s best friend, remember?

7. Breakfast in bed is a real winner. Or surprise dinner. Food in general is brilliant, unless she’s on a strict diet or you’re the kind of cook who manages to burn the eggs while boiling them.

8. Dress up warm, go outside and have a battle in the snow. When your buttocks get numb and you can’t feel your fingers anymore, have a sauna together. Or, if you don’t have a sauna, do hot chocolate, blanket and a good movie.

 9. Take a walk in the forest during autumn, when the leaves change colours to yellow, orange and bright red. Ooh, magical.

10. Game night for two is always nice. Just don’t get too competitive.

What if he surprises me this Valentines Day? Well what can I do, it's a day like any other. No rule says you can’t be romantic on February 14.