When you think of Valentine’s Day you may think of a meaningful day spent with your one and only, involving jewelry, flowers, chocolate, teddy bears, an exchanging of greeting cards, and a romantic evening together. But, you might also think of a miserable night spent alone eating a carton of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and bawling over the end of The Notebook. Or you may just avoid this so-called “holiday” completely. Is it even worth all the fuss
Some believe Valentine’s Day is simply a consumer-based holiday and has no real meaning. Yet, over 13 billion dollars is spent on average just for this one particular day of the year. Over 180 million cards are exchanged, and over 196 million roses are sold.
While it may have turned into a Hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day wasn’t always based around material things. This day actually has historical meaning behind it. February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and at least three different St. Valentines are recognized as martyred saints in the Catholic Church.
One legend is about a Valentine who performed secret marriages for young lovers, while another says an imprisoned Valentine sent the first valentine greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death he allegedly wrote a letter signed “From your Valentine.” All legends emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and romantic figure.
Some also believe St. Valentine’s feast day was placed in the middle of the month in an effort to Christianize the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a fertility festival, in which Roman bachelors would choose a name of a young woman in the city from an urn and be paired with her for the year, often ending in marriage.
Some people look forward to Valentine’s Day, while others dread it annually. Typically those who dread it are not in relationships, as the holiday is based strictly upon those who are. They find the holiday to be just another disheartening reminder that they are alone.
“I hate everything about Valentine’s Day,” explains Oak Knoll Senior Lauren Flannery bitterly. “It’s dumb because if you’re in a relationship you should treat the other person special every day of the year, not just this one.” While Lauren is currently single, she believes even if she was in a relationship she would still find the holiday senseless.
“It’s kind of annoying,” says VHS senior Shaun Degnan of Valentine’s Day, who has had past experiences with girlfriends on Valentine’s day. “The pressure’s all on the guy to think of something special, and I’m scared it’s not gonna be good enough.”
Not everyone has such critical opinions of February 14th; in fact, some look forward to and consider this a very special and important day for them and their loved one.
“I’ve been really excited for Valentine’s day this year,” exclaims VHS Senior Samantha Shorter, who is currently in a relationship. “My boyfriend’s taking me out to dinner and a movie. It’ll be cute.”
Valentine’s Day is sometimes considered to be a holiday that makes or breaks a relationship by defining the seriousness of it. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, 53% of women would end their relationship if they didn’t receive something from their loved one on Valentine’s Day.
Everyone has their own different ways of spending Valentine’s Day, whether it be going out with a boyfriend or girlfriend or having an anti-valentine’s day party with some close friends. No matter which way you celebrate it; Valentine’s Day will always be a holiday dedicated to love.