Valentine’s Day is coming up Feb.14 and is often called “the day of love”. Ironically I love the holiday. It’s not because of the overconsumption or because of the pink decorations. It’s about the day where people can share a little extra love. Even as a single pringle, I enjoy watching couples, friends, and families express how they feel about each other.
Valentine’s Day first began as a Roman holiday, which then transformed into a celebration for St. Valentine, but both shaped the current holiday. I think people focus too much on what to buy someone they forget the whole point and it’s not necessarily their fault.
Gift expectations have sparked from social media and the public. About 49% of students believe expectations come from the public, while 51% believe it comes from social media. Overconsumption is a big reason to not like the holiday, but this can be solved by making handmade cards, gifts, or even just expressing how you feel in words.
Sophomore Kayden Jones expresses his opinion on the holiday.
“I think it’s a holiday that just fuels consumerism because companies market overpriced and u
nnecessary items that you can give to your partner,” Jones said.
Some people also like Valentine’s Day not because they necessarily like overconsumption, but because they can give and receive gifts to show their love. It also doesn’t have to be just showing love to your significant other, it can be to your friends and family.
Senior Sierra Hostetter expresses her opinion on the day of love.
“Not everyone is really able to celebrate Valentine’s Day because not everyone has a person. For instance I usually don’t celebrate, but sometimes my mom will give me the usual gifts like flowers an
d stuffed animals. I do appreciate that because it is meant to be a day full of love, I just personally do not think that it is the same. I believe that Valentine’s Day can be a very special day, if you have someone very special to spend it with. So, I don’t mind Valentine’s Day because even though I don’t have a super special person to celebrate with, I still have my family and even sometimes my friends that day,” Hostetter said.
The holiday may be cheesy, but to hate a holiday because of not having a romantic valentine is strange. People don’t hate St. Patrick’s day because they aren’t Irish, they don’t hate Thanksgiving because they don’t like turkey, so why hate Valentines day because you don’t have a date. Feb.14 can also be about self-love. 72% of students like Valentine’s Day and 27% do not. Most of the 72% said they liked it because of many reasons, the colors, the people, traditions that make them feel remembered, and lastly the candy.
Junior Emma Johnson shares her opinion on the heartfelt holiday.
“I don’t really have an opinion about Valentine’s Day. It’s a fun concept to celebrate the people you love and enjoy each other’s company but it also is very commercialized in a way that it is mandatory to enjoy the holiday itself, taking away from the heartfelt purpose of the holiday,” said Johnson.
Fellow Junior Celeste Jenkins gives her opinion on why she likes Valentine’s Day.
“I love valentine’s day, it has the best color scheme and it gives an extra opportunity to show love for people,” said Jenkins.
No matter if you love the holiday or not it’s an extra chance to show people in your life you love them.
