Just when you thought the holidays were over, couples rush to spend money on their dates, buying plushies, chocolates, candies, jewelry, flowers or a candlelit dinner. Or celebrating “Galentines”, a popular tradition among friends who are single during the holiday. This holiday is about expressing love and friendship. But is it really about love and friendship? Or is it just a holiday created for people to receive gifts after Christmas and a reminder for single people that they’re alone?
When Valentine’s Day arrives, it’s time to ask out your Valentine. What used to be a simple, “Will you be my Valentine?” has turned into a big grand gesture. A simple question just doesn’t cut it! You have to plan and strategize. After they hopefully said yes, it’s only then that you have to worry about your bigger gesture and gifts on Feb. 14.
You know it’s around the corner after New Year’s when all the stores make the switch from red and green to red and pink. Walking down the aisles, grocery shopping is difficult when you’re bombarded with hearts everywhere. The shelves are stocked top to bottom full of Valentine’s chocolates, even though that’s the last thing you need after the holidays.
Even when you go home, your TV is projecting a jewelry ad insisting that you buy the most expensive jewels for your “special someone”. The advertisements and holiday decorations are a constant reminder and a buildup of pressure to buy for your Valentine.
As if the proposal wasn’t enough pressure, couples sometimes feel obligated to do something bigger than what they want to on Valentine’s Day, when this holiday should just be about expressing love, even in the simplest of ways.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), “Shoppers are budgeting a record $199.78 on average for gifts, an increase from $188.81 last year and surpassing the previous record of $196.31 set in 2020,” showing the high expenses of Valentine’s Day shopping.
One perk of being single during Valentine’s Day is the fact that you never have to worry about buying stuff or making grand gestures. It’s pretty nice until the truth hits you that you’re alone on Valentine’s Day. Some cope by hosting a “Galentine’s celebration” to celebrate their platonic love and friendship, which is better than sitting at home all alone.
When Valentine’s Day finally comes, it’s apparent because public display of affection (PDA) is at an all-time high. As couples put on a show for everyone, single individuals dart their eyes in the other direction, avoiding the spectacle. But it’s the day to express your love, even if that means making everyone else uncomfortable.
Going on social media to escape all the PDA won’t help either. You open Instagram to see Valentine’s posts on top of Valentine’s posts and the occasional “soft launch” from a new, unexpected couple, when all you wanted was to distract yourself from the chaos of Feb. 14 by scrolling for a bit, instead, you’re bombarded again with Valentine’s Day.
No matter if it’s over-the-top or a simple gesture, Valentine’s Day is about showing your love for the people in your life, whether it’s your significant other, friends or even family. It can be stressful and maybe even a little lonely, but it’s important to remember that we all love someone even in the simplest ways.
