This weekend, the weekend before Valentine’s Day, many will observe the holiday early at their convenience. Dinner, flowers and chocolates — the whole shebang is likely to unfold over the next couple of days.

It’s a well-known, unscientific fact that chocolates taste better when packaged in a heart-shaped box, and it is truly a great feeling to walk around with flowers, even if it is just from class to your car.

But in the spirit of St. Valentine, I’d like to encourage the unconventional. First, consider the history of St. Valentine’s Day.

Many historians disagree about the identity of St. Valentine. Some contend that Valentine was a priest who secretly married young lovers during third century Rome, defying Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers.

Other historians suggest that Valentine may have been killed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons.

According to one legend, Valentine may even have sent the first “valentine” greeting from a jail cell. It is supposed that this greeting was signed “from your Valentine,” reaching his love just before his death.

Whatever story you choose, consider St. Valentine’s bravery, sympathy and romance. I doubt he waited for one day out of the year to marry lovers, help Christians escape jail or profess his amorous feelings to his beloved. St. Valentine was an all-or-nothing kind of guy.

I propose that you treat your love like your Valentine every day. I’m not suggesting you maintain a stockpile of rose petals in your closet and boxes of sweethearts in your cabinet, but I suggest quality over quantity, creativity over convention and time over money.

Moreover, like St. Valentine who observed the importance of humanity and goodwill, the holiday shouldn’t be limited to those in a romantic relationship. Show the ones you love you’re thinking of them — friends, family and your significant other. Send a homemade card, pack a picnic to take outside or to the living room floor or plan a coffee date to talk and to listen.

Meditate over this during your Valentine’s weekend: Cancel your ritzy reservations and cook together, resist the Hallmark cards and craft your own, complete with personalized messages and toss the roses and substitute a clever bouquet of carrots (in the spirit of “No Strings Attached”). I promise, girls are wooed by creativity, and your friends and family will be touched by your time.

Besides, wouldn’t you rather support the ones you love instead of mindlessly supporting a consumer-driven holiday that loses its true meaning in a $14 billion dollar business?

Consumerism is inherent in the commercial Valentine’s Day we’ve come to love (or hate). Like it or loathe it, the world becomes decorated with doilies and red hearts the day after Groundhog Day. Just try to avoid the life-size stuffed bears at Walmart.

Those not in a committed relationship quickly assume the defensive. Some pencil-in bar dates that advertise “ex-boyfriend and girlfriend cocktails” and free roses and chocolates at the door. Tearing up pictures of your ex at a bar where you are likely to meet many other emotionally unstable, self-loathing singles is hardly celebratory, but vengeful and ridiculous. If your seven-step healing process includes free alcohol, you might not be doing it right. For that matter, why assume women are the “victims” after a break-up by giving them free drinks? It’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, and for that matter, relationships, differently.

Spending too much money and investing not enough time and thought is a cop out, as is allocating a single day to appreciate your loved ones. You can’t put a price on a relationship — and you shouldn’t. Maybe you wouldn’t feel pressured to woo a significant other one day out of the year if you consistently showed him or her your appreciation during the remaining 364 days.

You still have a chance to reform your Valentine’s Day plans. Celebrate your friendships and resist moping. Holidays aren’t for “hexing your exes,” but for cherishing time with loved ones, any loved ones. Find a buddy and be positive by reinforcing healthy relationships. Don’t limit your efforts to throwing darts at an unfortunate picture.

St. Valentine stood up to defend love, not merely romantic partners. Stand up for yourself and for the spirit of love and friendship (or broship).