Dear Reader,
Is Valentine’s Day Overrated?
Valentine’s Day, Cupid’s birthday, day of love, (whatever you want to call it), I believe is a money-grabbing, over-commercialized marketing scheme. As a hopeless romantic and an avid romance novel reader, I don’t see the reason for having one day solely for love and affection for significant others to cherish.
The History
To understand a multi-lensed opinion, it is important to acknowledge the history revolving around V-day. Valentine’s day is technically a Christian holiday centered around Saint Valentine. The Catholic Church acknowledges at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. According to one legend, Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome. During his reign, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine found this rule unjust and continued to secretly perform marriages for young couples. When his actions were discovered, Claudius sentenced him to death. Another story suggests that Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, is the true namesake of the holiday. He was also beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome. Further accounts suggest that he was killed for attempting to help Christians escape from Roman prisons. Supposedly, he allegedly wrote a letter before he died signed “From your Valentine”. Valentine’s day is celebrated on his alleged death date. Though the history is very captivating, that doesn’t excuse the commercialization of the holiday nowadays.
The Problem
According to National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, a record $14.2 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day 2024. That is $1.5 billion more than the fashion designer Giorgio Armani’s net worth. In 1861, chocolate maker Richard Cadbury created the infamous “love boxes” which were the first approach of commercializing the holiday.
In February, all people can see around them are hearts and cherubs on windowsills. On the other hand, why celebrate a holiday when it doesn’t serve its original purpose anymore, which initially was to honor St. Valentine’s sacrifice?
Some may say, “You only think it’s over rated ‘cause you’re single” like Tyler Abrantes, but it goes further than that. I genuinely don’t understand why celebrating love has to solely be on one day. This holiday just seems like an obligation for people in relationships that they have to get something for their significant other. People shouldn’t be pressured to express their love. If the sole reason for celebrating Valentine’s Day is to express love, it should be celebrated everyday, but less materialistic. Imagine a world where everyday feels like V-Day. Everyone would be happy, love is all around, and maybe world peace is reachable since no one can be grumpy on the day of love, just like no one can be grumpy on Christmas.
Overall, due to my extensive, multifaceted opinion, Valentine’s Day is overrated and shouldn’t be an excuse to celebrate love when people should embrace that feeling every day.
With all my love and distaste for V-Day,
Sophia
p.s. candy hearts also suck
