When one walks down the aisles of a supermarket on Feb. 14, they are showered with pink and red heart-shaped candies, stuffed animals and bouquets of flowers. Valentine’s Day is often known as the most romantic day of the year.
“I celebrate Valentine’s Day by reminding loved ones that they are important and that I cherish them in my heart,” said sophomore Gabe Chan.
Due to the holiday’s commercial influence, some question the sincerity of Valentine’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent more than $27 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2020. Companies and money are associated with greed and materialism, while romance is associated with selflessness and idealism.
“[The holiday] became less special and personal and more of an opportunity to gain materialistic things,” said sophomore Lily Grey. “Corporate and personal interests can coexist in a perfect world. I aspire to be as genuine as possible, but due to influencers and big corporations, the holiday seems superficial.”
For others, the meaning of Valentine’s Day can stay authentic despite corporate influences.
“Corporate and personal interests can coexist in a perfect world. I aspire to be as genuine as possible, but due to influencers and big corporations, the holiday seems superficial”
“All holidays will be exploited by corporations,” said sophomore Satvik Reddy. “But that doesn’t mean the holidays can’t be enjoyed.”
A major part of Valentine’s Day for some is gift-giving.
“[On Valentine’s Day once], I got a stuffed animal,” said freshman Fernanda Aceituno. “I felt extremely happy receiving it because [my friend] didn’t need to go out and buy me anything, yet they did.”
With the commotion surrounding Valentine’s Day, a harmful expectation to give gifts can develop, which can lead to feelings of pressure and dissatisfaction.
“I like to give out gifts [and] chocolate to make people feel appreciated,” Grey said. “[But] the gift aspect of Valentine’s day is overrated. You don’t need materialistic things to spread love. I think the biggest gift you could give someone is quality time.”
While Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with sharing special moments with significant others, that is not always the case.
“You don’t need materialistic things to spread love. I think the biggest gift you could give someone is quality time”
“I celebrate Valentine’s with my friends and family,” Grey said. “I don’t see Valentine’s Day as just a holiday about relationships with significant others. I believe it is a day where we can celebrate all relationships, whether they are family, friends or significant others.”
Many, like Grey, have reinterpreted Valentine’s Day to shape the holiday into a genuine celebration of relationships.
“I enjoy going out to dinner with my friends or family [and enjoying] a nice meal together,” Aceituno said.
Others choose not to celebrate Valentine’s Day at all.
“It really comes down to personal choice,” said junior Sebastien Ludwig. “If individuals don’t particularly care, they shouldn’t be held to a general standard of [needing] to celebrate or even acknowledge the holiday.”
Valentine’s Day holds a different meaning and importance for everyone. Some choose to celebrate with quality time, others with gifts. Some are indifferent when Feb. 14 rolls by, and others feel passionately about the day of love.
