Valentine’s Day is pointless. There, I said it. The “holiday” is over-romanticized, and it has no real value. I realize that right off the bat I sound like some sort of Valentine’s Day scrooge, but in reality, I have just come to terms with what many have not.

Now, let me make one thing clear: I do have a heart, and no it is not frozen solid. In fact, some might call me “over-emotional.” I am a sucker for romantic movies and things alike, but I refuse to be sucked into the dark hole that is Valentine’s Day.

After asking around, I came across other Canyon students who have discovered the fallacies that lie in the holiday. Seniors Nicole Chemali and Maria Karam both brought up the point that Valentine’s Day is merely a day used for companies to make a profit off of “cute” items like plush toys and heart-shaped chocolate boxes. According to Forbes Magazine, $19.7 billion are spent on this holiday (McCarthy). I was always taught that love didn’t have a price tag, but I stand corrected; It costs nearly $20 billion to show someone you care about them.

That brings me to my next point: shouldn’t we express our endearment for those we hold close to our hearts every day? There are 365 days in a year—366 days if it’s a leap year—and we dedicate a single day to loving each other. Your significant other, friends, or family deserve to be treated with love and care at all moments, not only on Feb. 14.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t seem very different from an anniversary. People go out on dates and give each other gifts on both occasions, so what is the point of having two separate days to do the same activity? In the past, the idea of Valentine’s Day has brought me a pretty good amount of stress. Many people often overthink sweet date ideas that aren’t overdone or gifts that won’t break the bank, and in my opinion, it’s just not worth the anxiety.

Sure, Valentine’s Day was great when we were kids, and everyone got each other fun-sized candies, but the sweetness that this day used to radiate has long been lost. It has become a materialistic holiday, and as a result, it is celebrated for all the wrong reasons. Instead of feeding large corporations your money order a pizza and relax in your pjs; be glad that you aren’t out on the streets, spending your money on overpriced candy or teddy bears that will end up in the back of someone’s closet one day.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2016/02/12/valentines-day-2016-americas-20-billion-dollar-day-of-love-infographic/#7a5263016bdf