Pro: Commercializing Valentine’s Day promotes its meaning
By Mia Muzzi
Valentine’s Day is an entire 24 hours dedicated to the people we love most. My mom looks forward to it every year, and since it is her favorite holiday, she has set traditions that my family gladly participates in. We go out to dinner, buy flowers, and, yes, exchange valentines. While we are definitely contributing to the large sums of money that corporations make on Valentine’s Day, we have never considered changing our traditions. This day reminds us to take a break from our own busy lives to celebrate and express our love for each other, even if we spend a few extra dollars in doing so.
February 14 is not about the money spent, but rather about how to show appreciation to loved ones. Stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon advertise for Valentine’s Day starting as early as December and, as a result, face a lot of criticism from shoppers. While December does seem to be a bit extreme, the pink and red decorations remind consumers of the day and provide ideas for how to celebrate. Nobody is forcing these shoppers to buy anything, and the displa
ys are merely innocent suggestions. Personally, I love looking through the heart stickers, chocolate boxes and cliché valentines, not because I feel pressured to, but because they are simply just adorable.
There is, however, some truth in that stores have overdone Valentine’s Day. For example, prices become higher than usual and candy hearts are sold in volumes. But is that really a problem? If anything, it just goes to show how popular the day is. Companies are matching the energy of their consumers, and the reality is that people love to show love. There is a reason the holiday is so commercialized, and instead of criticizing it, we should acknowledge and appreciate the fact that the world is not as bleak as it sometimes appears. How beautiful is it that humans have come together on one day just to show how much they love one another?
Additionally, the commercialization of the holiday enhances its spirit. Imagine how many times a husband and wife have bought each other the same card because they knew how funny the other would find it. Or the boyfriend who spent an hour in a flower shop deciding between pink or red roses. Valentine’s Day is the one day a year when romcoms come to life, and honestly, what is wrong with buying a heart-shaped box of chocolates?
There are so many ways to recognize the people we love, and Valentine’s Day provides the opportunity and means to do so. The holiday being so commercialized allows for gifts to be affordable, and while gifts do not define the holiday, they show the sentiment, consideration and energy that the day is all about. Nobody has to purchase anything, but why not take that extra step to demonstrate an appreciation for a loved one?
Valentines can be as simple or elaborate as a person sees fit, and truly, it is the thought that counts. I can still remember how excited I was in elementary school to receive those 10-cent valentines or a pack of wax lips. I continue to carry that same excitement with me 10 years later as I anticipate my annual box of chocolates. Valentine’s Day, as commercialized as it is, maintains its meaning and gives us a chance to be selfless and provide for our friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends or anyone else who deserves it.
Con: Commercializing Valentine’s Day defeats the meaning
By Karly Bordin
Valentine’s Day has become more about spending money rather than showing love and appreciation for the people in your life. Whether it is buying gifts for a significant other or friends, the stress of the holiday has taken away its meaning.
The attention generated around Valentine’s Day is almost too much. Ads and posts on social media start appearing months in advance, starting the competition of who can give a better gift. Stores stock their shelves with various pink and red items for the day, and people post all about what they are doing to celebrate.
Constantly viewing ads and posts for the holiday makes buying a gift seem like something to check off of a to-do list rather than an opportunity to do something enjoyable and meaningful. You are reminded through commercials, billboards, social media, and many other places that the day of love is approaching quickly.
with gifts that are not meaningful. (The Catalyst / Mia Muzzi)
Seeing Instagram or TikTok posts of what other people are doing or were gifted causes people to compare themselves to others. It creates the thought that you have to go all-out in order to have a special Valentine’s Day, which in reality is not true at all. Even the tradition of Galentine’s Day with friends seems to be a race for who can have the “cuter” celebration. Viewing people going out to fancy dinners and getting massive gift baskets or expensive jewelry makes it more difficult to enjoy a simple day.
The commercialization of February 14 causes the cost of an item to correlate with the thought that went into it. It plants the thought in people’s minds that a more expensive gift will make it more genuine. It is as if you are willing to spend more money on someone, it means you care about them more.
The revenue created around Valentine’s Day makes it more cost-focused rather than about showing love. Jewelry companies and various ads make it seem like you have to spend more money to give a better gift. They advertise expensive gifts that are said to be sure to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them instead of giving something more personalized.
Personal gifts are more meaningful than something fancy or expensive. If you have a loved one and want to give them something of sentimental value, it is better to keep things simple and make it more personal to your relationship with them. Whether this is a home-made gift or special experience for the two of you to share, something small is sure to have the same effect as an expensive gift. What better way to show you love and care for someone than giving them a gift that would truly mean something?
