Valentine’s Day is less controversial than other holidays, but still provokes strong emotions amongst the multitudes. What is so special about Valentine’s Day anyway? Is it the gifts from a significant other that brightens your day or is it the one day self- pity is not frowned upon?
It is definitely not about St. Valentine who died in the name of love. It would be more accurate if he died of shock due to the amount of cash he would have to dish out purchasing a dozen roses.
I doubt teachers in grade school still teach Valentine’s Day history. Instead it has probably been replaced with an accounting class giving children tips on how to budget their bank accounts during this holiday.
The image of Valentine’s Day is usually people in relationships basking in the essence of their sweet heart and single people left alone to count their cats. But is that really the truth or is it a stereotypical representation engraved into our minds? No. Every side has a different paradigm. The anticipation that you might receive a gift that essentially says “I know nothing about you” or “I didn’t really care” send some people spiraling down a dark and narrow path of unneeded anxiety.
This simple holiday ignites the start of the end for many couples. According to an article by Saabira Chaudhuri on The Guardian it found statistics on Avvo.com revealing that divorce filings rise about 40 percent this time of year.
Valentine’s Day should be called Obligation Day because it is essentially a day card companies squeezed the life out of for profit. Many call this day a Hallmark Holiday. Kate Krier wrote an article in The Jersey Journal explaining that a Hallmark Holiday “exists primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally significant religious or secular event.”
Regardless of whether or not you are in a relationship, there are more than likely people you will wish a happy Valentine’s Day, or buy a small trinket to show that you didn’t forget about them. It might be more beneficial if you don’t buy anything for anyone and opt out of this holiday. If you accidentally forget someone you can start planning out a different path to walk to avoid the awkward confrontations.
The grade school days of handing out small cardboard valentines to a handful of people are long gone. Now it seems there is a silent war brewing beneath the surface between the couples and the single people.
There doesn’t seem to be a winner. People in relationships are broke making sure they make their significant other feel special. The single people are at home with their wallets full of money, scrolling through forever alone memes on the Internet.
I think a revolution is in place where we celebrate this holiday the day after companies deem it appropriate and buy discounted chocolates and clearance stuffed animals for whoever we want.
Stop stressing about Valentine’s Day because whether you are single or in a relationship there are still people who care about you. So what if they didn’t get you that blue teddy bear and they got you a pink one instead? So what if you are single on a day commemorating a day tribute to couples? You have friends that you can spend it with.
There are worse holidays to be lacking in. Instead of walking around upset about whatever it is Valentine’s Day has brought you, break out the box of elementary school valentines and hand them out to your friends, and maybe even some strangers.
Despite the insanity that is Valentine’s Day I think we can all be grateful that it only comes around once a year.
A.J. is a sophomore and a Communicaion major.
