Why should Valentine’s day consist of a $200 dinner? Or an exchange of expensive gifts? Why is it so important that love is shown this one day of the year through store-bought chocolates and jewelry?
Here’s your answer: It shouldn’t be!
About mid-way through January, my socials began to flood with countless ideas on how to have that perfect day with that special someone: ads targeted to personalized gifts, fine-dining restaurants advertising that now is the time to reserve a table- or it may be too late, and content creators pushing fuzzy-content.
This made me reflect on what this ‘special day’ really means, and if my parents were right; do we have the meaning of Valentine’s day flipped upside-down?
Before I go any further, I am by no means shaming those who choose to have an extravagant Valentine’s day; if you can and want to, you should. But for those who feel the societal pressure and are questioning why we do these things one day out of every year, this is for you.
Valentine’s day: Over-rated or just misrepresented?
I think everyone knows what I’m getting at here- Valentine’s day is over-rated AND misrepresented, grossly. While it can be a sweet gesture to go out for dinner or buy a stuffed animal for someone you love, it’s the immense pressure that the media puts on us to buy material items and spend money, that’s disgusting. I should be able to walk into a grocery store without Valentine’s day being shoved down my throat.
It’s wild that we can be deemed out of the ordinary for not indulging in a holiday that has turned so consumerism-focused. I believe that the meaning of Valentine’s day has become lost in translation; It has turned into a last ditch effort for big companies to exploit your wallets and make a little extra cash off of your love for others. This goes for chain restaurants as well (no one is safe from this article).
What to do this valentine’s day instead
- Stay in. Spend quality time together. Watch a movie and cuddle, or bake each-other’s fave treats. Eat a romantic, homemade candle-lit dinner. Crafting is also another cost-friendly activity.
- Reach out to friends/family. Host a small gathering with games and drinks. Spend time with those you should.
- Support local. If you still feel like going out or maybe gift-giving is your love language, check out the local, small business and restaurants who could use a boost after the January low.
- Do nothing. Treat it like a normal day. Or, have it mark the start of you showing love everyday, not just on Valentine’s day.
Takeaway message
You shouldn’t need a specific day of the year to remind you to show your love, and showing your love shouldn’t need to be through spending money. Use the limited moments we have day to day to tell people you are grateful for them, you value them, and you love them.
