Romance with a Hallmark stamp
WC Editorial Board
Issue date: 2/15/10 Section: Opinion
No holiday includes everyone, and Valentine's Day is yet another consumer holiday that forces certain actions out of people.
Male or female, there are awkward situations that both genders could potentially run into.
Let's imagine that you have just entered a new relationship and now it's Valentine's Day. This relationship has been short-term, so are those couples expected to participate in the holiday? Would feelings be hurt if one chooses not to celebrate? Is it appropriate to not celebrate because it's such a new relationship? These are questions that many people face every year.
Married couples or those in a long-term relationship face similar questions. Are buying roses and chocolate on the one day of the year when a gift is expected considered romantic?
There are so many different types of expectations when it comes to celebrating this holiday. According to perfume.net, the average amount spent on Valentine's Day gifts is $90 and 53 percent of women will dump their boyfriends if they don't give them anything on Valentine's Day. Not only is Valentine's Day expensive, it can also cause stress because worrying about a date or gift is a common concern.
Perhaps it would be more appreciated if the gifts and romantic gestures that are normally made on Valentine's Day were done so at random times. Instead of forcing certain actions one day of the year it is more romantic to partake in those actions on a random occasion.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Valentine's Day is the second most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. Ultimately, this day relates to large corporations and their influence on every day people. What corporations are doing is telling consumers they have to be romantic. If you do not take part in this holiday then you're the bad guy.
Romantic gestures take time, thought and consideration, not just spending $30 at Walgreens on flowers and a card.
Valentine's Day should not be about gifts and dramatic romantic gestures. It's just another day on the calendar.
This day happens to affect people's emotions in a negative way as well. If you are in a relationship, maybe yesterday could have sparked feelings of content but if you are single, Valentine's Day could be depressing.
What is important to understand is that Valentine's Day is just another consumer holiday, and to put any serious effort into celebration is a waste of time.
Male or female, there are awkward situations that both genders could potentially run into.
Let's imagine that you have just entered a new relationship and now it's Valentine's Day. This relationship has been short-term, so are those couples expected to participate in the holiday? Would feelings be hurt if one chooses not to celebrate? Is it appropriate to not celebrate because it's such a new relationship? These are questions that many people face every year.
Married couples or those in a long-term relationship face similar questions. Are buying roses and chocolate on the one day of the year when a gift is expected considered romantic?
There are so many different types of expectations when it comes to celebrating this holiday. According to perfume.net, the average amount spent on Valentine's Day gifts is $90 and 53 percent of women will dump their boyfriends if they don't give them anything on Valentine's Day. Not only is Valentine's Day expensive, it can also cause stress because worrying about a date or gift is a common concern.
Perhaps it would be more appreciated if the gifts and romantic gestures that are normally made on Valentine's Day were done so at random times. Instead of forcing certain actions one day of the year it is more romantic to partake in those actions on a random occasion.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Valentine's Day is the second most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. Ultimately, this day relates to large corporations and their influence on every day people. What corporations are doing is telling consumers they have to be romantic. If you do not take part in this holiday then you're the bad guy.
Romantic gestures take time, thought and consideration, not just spending $30 at Walgreens on flowers and a card.
Valentine's Day should not be about gifts and dramatic romantic gestures. It's just another day on the calendar.
This day happens to affect people's emotions in a negative way as well. If you are in a relationship, maybe yesterday could have sparked feelings of content but if you are single, Valentine's Day could be depressing.
What is important to understand is that Valentine's Day is just another consumer holiday, and to put any serious effort into celebration is a waste of time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Becca
posted 2/15/10 @ 12:09 PM CST
You are wrong about any serious effort put in on Valentine's Day is a waste of time. If you do not put any effort into romance on Valentine's Day, the odds are that you will not put any effort into romance the rest of the year either!
Riley Cole
posted 2/16/10 @ 5:39 AM CST
just because you are sad doesn't mean the holiday doesn't have meaning for others. if you want a companion, try being uplifting, instead of tearing down. (Continued…)
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