India, Feb. 5 -- It's a fortnight to Valentine's Day as I sit down to write this. And my inbox is already inundated with messages about special V Day dinners, discounts on designer stores, offers to buy overpriced flowers and the like. This happens like clockwork every year; and it drives me mental every time.

So, this time I decided to devise my own anti-Valentine guide for those of us who choose not to celebrate with exorbitant tat and overpriced restaurant meals. Here is what you can do instead, in no particular order of importance.

Instead of spending an insane amount of money ordering roses for your significant other - prices tend to multiply around this time - on this day, do something far more thoughtful. Spend a little more and ...