Valentine’s Day remains one of the most anticipated dates of the year. Even though people sometimes shy away from vulnerability, the celebration of love continues to hold a special place in our lives. 

While expressions of love happen year-round, 14 February carries a particular significance, prompting reflection on how we show up for those we care about. The desire to appear thoughtful often drives Nigerians online in search of ideas. From TikTok and Pinterest to the ever-reliable Google, many are turning to the internet for inspiration on how to creatively curate a great experience. However, data from Google shows that searches this February point to a broader take on Valentine’s Day. No longer confined to romance, the holiday has morphed into a celebration of all forms of love.

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day was dominated by romantic couples, even though that was not its original purpose. But, today, the growing recognition of female friendships and the shift away from centring men and romantic love are reflected in how the holiday is celebrated, expanding it to embrace the full spectrum of love in all its forms.

Consequently, the concept of Galentine’s Day is now mainstream, with friend groups scouting “Galentine’s Day party” ideas to celebrate their community of friends. Demonstrating this, Google searches such as “What is Galentine” are on the rise, alongside queries like “Valentine’s Day messages to send to my best friend,” “Valentine letter for your friend,” “activities to do on Valentine’s Day with friends,” “how to make a Valentine’s Day sweetheart bracelet for your best friend,” and “funny Valentine messages for friends.”

Parallel to this shift is the focus on self-love, which is also shaping Valentine’s Day searches. With mental health and wellness on everyone’s radar, the day has become a window for personal care. Searches for “glow-up” plans and self-care activities suggest that people are investing in themselves, carving out time for rest and personal growth. Even couples are exploring ways to balance togetherness with individual care, as seen in rising searches for “spa couples Valentine package ideas” and “combo deals for Valentines in a spa or salon.”

At the same time, adventure and other memorable experiences remain high on the agenda, and dinner alone will not suffice. Nigerians are exploring romantic weekend getaways in Lagos and even cruises along the country’s coast. The day has become an opportunity to go all out, be as cheesy as you can, and there is also a heightened focus on concretising the visual memory of the day. Searches for “Valentine photoshoot ideas for boys” indicate that men are now as invested in the aesthetics of the holiday as their partners.

While Valentine’s Day will always be a way to show love, we indeed are living in times dominated by aesthetics. This has made curated experiences increasingly important, a trend evident in gifting habits. Flowers remain a classic choice, but money bouquets have grown in popularity, with Google data confirming rising interest. Customised “cake designs” that complement these bouquets are also trending.

In any case, regardless of what people are searching for, the underlying impulse is to make the day count.