Austin, we have some beef to settle: Who said Valentine’s Day is only for people in romantic relationships?

The holiday’s history dates back to the 400s, but did you know it wasn’t considered a day of romance until the 14th century?

This year, we’re celebrating love for the most important person of all: ourselves. Here are eight ways to treat yourself locally this Valentine’s Day.

Sweeten your day

In our humble opinion, one of the best parts of Valentine’s Day is munching on delicious and aesthetically pleasing sweets from local bakeries. Our favorites include:

Heart-shaped conchitas from Cookies and Chill Bakery, sold at Revival Coffee
V-Day Cookie Box from Sour Duck Market featuring four types of cookies
LUV Cake devil’s food cupcake from Hey Cupcake

Feathers Vintage's vibrant pink storefront is the perfect backdrop for a Valentine’s-themed pic. | Photo by ATXtoday team

Treat yourself

Let’s face it, we’re always looking for a reason to treat ourselves to something special: Valentine’s Day happens to be the perfect excuse. Here are a few places to pick up something nice:

Pop-Up Flower Market: Grab a Floral Renaissance bouquet at Meanwhile Brewing’s Valentine’s Day Party. (Pro tip: Stick around for a themed cocktail, live music, and a showing of “Amélie.”)
Feathers Vintage: Find your new look at this South Congress shop featuring vintage, artisan, and locally made products. (Pro tip: This spot’s vibrant pink storefront is the perfect backdrop for a Valentine’s-themed pic.)
Viva Day Spa: Pamper yourself with a massage, facial, or other treatment using this spa’s Valentine’s packages, starting at $125.

Try something new

In a busy city like Austin, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do on Valentine’s Day. Day-of events include:

Valentine’s Party | Mon., Feb. 14 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Warehouse Billiard Bar | Free | Dance all night + have your cards read by Sound Sight Tarot.
Valentine’s Murder Mystery | Mon., Feb. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Pinballz Lake Creek | $40 | It’s ‘Til’ Death Do Us Part’ at this wedding-themed murder mystery dinner.