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A Deliciously Bitter Anti-Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentine’s Day is a capitalist “holiday” that companies use to squeeze money out of you. It’s less about romance and more about hard cash. In that spirit, here’s an anti-Valentine’s Day gift guide for all of the chronically single, freshly dumped, and downright haters out there. You might just find something to cheer you up. And if not, you’ll definitely find something to maintain your spite.

Conversation Hearts

anti valentines day candy hearts
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Forget Sweethearts — get a box of candy that says how you really feel.

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Button

anti valentines day buttons
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Don’t feel like interacting with people on Valentine’s Day? With a Social Alert Button from Word for Word Factory on Etsy, you can let everyone know your status without having to utter a thing. Options include Single, Heavy HeartHeart Breaker, Not Interested, Sick of this Sh*t, Cat Man, and more.

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Card

anti valentines day card
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Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a thoughtful card. Send the people that you hate (or event the people that you love) a reminder of what the holiday is all about.

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Piñata

anti valentines day piñata
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If you have a little pent-up aggression (who doesn’t?), simply fill this piñata full of your fave candy and smash it to bits. You’ll feel a lot better afterwards, either due to the physical exertion or the candy reward. Also, if it’s one of those Valentine’s Days, feel free to fill it with miniature booze bottles instead–just make sure they’re plastic.

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A Good Book

anti valentines day book
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Solitude, first published in 1988 by former psychoanalyst Anthony Storr, is an argument for why you don’t need intimate relationships — or Valentines — to be a successful and well-rounded human being.

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Bath Bomb

anti valentines day bath bomb
Douglas Sacha/Getty Images Image used with permission by copyright holder

After a long day hating Valentine’s Day, take a relaxing soak in the blood of your enemies.

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Article originally published by Ann Binlot. Last updated by Nicole Raney on February 9, 2018.

Spain outlasts Argentina to win FIFA World Cup and cap sensational tournament
Spain's relentless pressure finally paid off in extra time.
Celebrating, Person, Clothing

And just like that, Argentina's luck ran out. Spain's Ferran Torres emphatically found the back of the net from 8 yards out in extra time to secure La Roja a 1-0 win and the country's second World Cup. Torres' goal came in the 106th minute, but don't let that fool you: this was a one-sided contest from start to finish, and a deeper look at the box score reflects that.

I predicted Spain would beat Argentina, 3-1, and from the start it seemed like that prediction would come to fruition. Spain came out swinging, almost immediately recording two shots on goal, including an early header that came so close to finding the back of the net. Spain's relentless attack was evident throughout the match. La Roja applied pressure with swift passing and precision shots. Just ask Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, who seemed to be the only one playing defense, making one spectacular save after another, 11 to be exact.

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England-France playing for third place an instant World Cup classic
It was only for third place, but what a thriller.
Head, Person, Face

If you tuned in for the World Cup England-France game and checked out at halftime, nobody would have blamed you. The Three Lions led 4-0 at the half in a third-place game that was a blowout. You would have been right to assume England was in complete control and France had all but given up. You also would have been forgiven for turning off the TV and moving on to the rest of your Saturday. But for those who stuck it out, you were rewarded for your patience and loyalty.

France didn't waste any time getting on the board just three minutes into the second half with Kylian Mbappé's first goal of the game. Mbappé's goal didn't matter all that much at that point, except if you've been following the Golden Boot race. England still held a commanding 4-1 lead, thanks to goals from Declan Rice (3rd minute), Ezri Konsa (18th), and Bukayo Saka's brace (37th and stoppage time). Saka would complete the hat-trick in the 87th minute with a penalty conversion.

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Argentina vs. Spain — Who do you have in the FIFA World Cup Final?
Argentina has found a way to survive, but is this style of play sustainable?
People, Person, Groupshot

Argentina must have nine lives, right? Somehow, Argentina has found a way to survive at the last minute in just about every one of its 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Yes, this style of play has had everyone on the edge of their seats. But how long can this style of play really last? So far, the drama has played superbly on TV (much to FOX and Telemundo's delight). But do the defending World Cup champions have one more in them to repeat yet again?

While Argentina, the Group J winner, has yet again reached the final, the road to Sunday's finale at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hasn't been an easy one. Time and again, Argentina has been on the brink of elimination. Who will ever forget little-known Cape Verde nearly knocking off the defending champs when Argentina needed extra time in the Round of 32 before finally coming away with a 3-2 win.

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