Maggy:
After the hangover of the extensive but satisfying Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years’ season, we need something else to look forward to. January through March is a dark, cold series of months that drag on with nothing in sight except the distant coming of spring. The novelty of snow has long worn off, yet the days are still so short. Something needs to lighten the mood of the long, unsatisfying winter.
Dating back to the martyred priest Valentine in 269 A.D., Valentine’s Day didn’t rise to its current popularity until the late 19th century in England. Paper valentines began to be distributed widely, and then, capitalism took over. In 2013, U.S. citizens spent $131 per person on average for Valentine’s Day, according to reports.
Though Valentine’s Day is indeed an excuse for capitalism, it’s also an excuse to go out on a nice date. For some, it’s a reason to give (and receive) a gift between your birthday and Christmas. It’s a reason for school children to have a party and for teachers to fill them with chocolate before pawning them back to their parents.
It’s a simple reason for celebration; a pink and glittery break amid the monotony of the season. It’s an excuse to get together and celebrate love with a little bit of capitalism sprinkled in.
Keely:
Let’s all just be honest with each other: Valentine’s Day is a sham. It’s a “Hallmark holiday” designed to force couples to spend massive amounts of money on each other, and it unnecessarily reminds others that they’re single. It’s ridiculous that there exists a day of the year which forces people to express their love through meaningless, overpriced material objects. Why can’t we express love for our significant others, family and friends every day of the year?
The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend $3.9 billion on jewelry, $3.5 billion on fancy dinners, $2.1 billion on clothing, $1.9 billion on flowers, $1.8 billion on candy, $1.3 billion on gift cards and $933 million on greeting cards — $20.7 billion this year on Valentine’s Day alone, or roughly $162 per person. The public shouldn’t feel pressured to celebrate a holiday that was designed to make corporations money. Valentine’s Day is great for the economy — and not much else.
We don’t need a holiday to express the love we feel for others. If you care about someone, show it every day. Valentine’s Day also causes unrealistic expectations and forced affection for no reason. People shouldn’t feel the need to spend money to prove their appreciation for their loved ones.
Valentine’s Day is an unnecessary holiday intended to squeeze money out of those who celebrate it. This year, show those you love how you feel. Don’t buy their affection.
Maggy McDonel 