Valentine’s Day is upon us and yet I’m just not feeling it.
Most single people tend to hate Valentine’s Day. The overwhelming increase in PDA, the sudden increase on chocolate prices, enough roses to make me sneeze until next year and the clogging of all social media with mushy post just feels like harassment. However, I am not single. Because of this, most expect me to love the holiday. I have someone to practice PDA with, the chocolate gets bought for me, roses go nicely with my room and I have more than enough words to share about how much I love my boyfriend.
Christian Bland, a non-APU affiliate and my boyfriend of three plus years, shared his thoughts on the matter.
“There are a lot of days that we celebrate to kind of make somebody feel special, but I guess this is just another day to do that,” Bland said. “Why not make somebody feel even more special, specifically somebody that you love in a romantic way?”
Nonetheless, I hate Valentine’s Day. Why do we need just one day during the year to show the people we love that we love them?
The history behind Valentine’s Day has always been a little mysterious. While there is not one set origin story for this holiday, one thing can be decisively known about Valentine’s Day. It is expensive to keep up with this materialistic celebration.
According to an article by the National Retail Federation, U.S. consumers this year are expected to spend approximately $19.6 billion.
“U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average of $143.56 on Valentine’s Day as 55 percent of the population celebrates this year… Total spending is expected to reach $19.6 billion, up from $18.2 billion last year,” the article states.
Valentine’s Day has never been more than a commercialized, over-marketed and less than necessary “holiday” that celebrates nothing but an exclusive 24 hours of doting on your significant other. Apparently, us couples aren’t allowed to do that any other day of the year. For those not in relationships, this day becomes about anything but love, because it’s practically being shoved down their throats.
Ava Ryan, a seven-year-old internet sensation, hilariously shares my feelings about Valentine’s Day in a recent video posted on her Facebook page.
“A chubby baby floats around with a bow and arrows, shooting people with them,” Ryan said. “Nobody gets hurt – it just falls in the grass – but I just think that’s a little disturbing.”
While Cupid has always creeped me out, I certainly don’t mind an excuse for a nice gift or for eating chocolate. Most people don’t.
“Any reason to each chocolate is [my favorite]. I’m fine with chocolate in any context,” Bland said.
Valentine’s Day could even be seen as simply a time to give a little extra love. I think that’s something this world could always use more of.
However, I have always been baffled by the fact that we have to dedicate one day to doing this. The day itself doesn’t even capture what it is supposedly meant to celebrate. Instead, it’s about giant teddy bears and picturesque proposals.
“I definitely think there is a place to celebrate love… but like basically every other holiday, our society has messed that up and celebrates it in an overly materialistic kind of way,” Bland said. “It’s just about buying things and going to fancy dinners and it’s not really about actually loving people.”
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Valentine’s Day. As stated before, I have no qualms with chocolate or roses. I take issue with the materialistic and relational envy that often accompanies the celebration. I don’t like the exclusive nature of confining the expression of love to a single day or person. A whole industry has been created around a marketing ploy. For what gain?