As a hopeless romantic, you probably expect that I love the celebration of Valentine’s Day, but it’s not a holiday that I spend much time celebrating. Don’t get me wrong, the notion of having a whole day devoted to celebrating love is a great idea, but I definitely feel like the holiday has been hijacked by companies who make lots of money during Valentine’s Day. Here are some of my biggest problems with the big commercial enterprise that Valentine’s Day has turned into.
Valentine’s Day gifts have gotten more expensive- Here is the progression:
- Cards- When I was a kid all anybody received for Valentine’s Day was a card, regardless of whether you were newly dating or married for years.
- Chocolate- Somewhere along the way giving chocolates became the norm. The standard was the heart shaped box of inexpensive mixed chocolates.
- Gourmet chocolates replaced the generic box of assorted chocolates. Way better tasting, but way more expensive.
- Flowers, or more precisely 1 dozen red roses became a Valentine standard.
- Diamonds have now become the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift. I love diamonds just as much as any woman, but I think that unless you’re getting engaged diamonds are excessive for this holiday.
The Valentine’s Day Premium- I admit that I’m a very thrifty person, but I don’t know anyone who wants to pay more for something just because businesses have changed the message of Valentine’s Day from “I love you” to “I love when you spend your money.” The exact same roses, chocolates and jewelry all have jacked up prices during Valentine’s day and can often be purchased for half the price if you bought them in March. Same thing with that Valentine’s Day dinner at your favorite restaurant. You will pay substantially more for the same meal on Valentine’s Day than you would if you went there a few days later.
Everyone has jumped on the Valentine’s Day bandwagon- What used to be the domain of florists, card companies and candy makers has now expanded into products and events that have no connection to saying I love you. Even our hockey stadium offers a Valentine’s Day package. As much as I love the sport, to try to sell the notion of watching guys getting slammed into the glass as a way to express your love is just stretching things too far.
I even saw a vacuum cleaner company that has a Valentine’s Day promotion. This is just so wrong. If your man’s idea of saying I love you involves upgrading your vacuum cleaner, then you may need to consider upgrading your man. The only exception is if it comes with a signed and notarized statement that he will do all the vacuuming from that point forward.
So there are some of my pet peeves with how commercialized Valentine’s Day has become. I miss the days when a special card with a personal message was more than enough and would be displayed on the mantle like a prized possession. If you really want to express how much you love that special person in your life, focus on saying and showing that you love them everyday instead of once a year.
What do you think? Am I a Valentine’s Day Scrooge or is there too much hype for this holiday? How will you spend Valentine’s Day? Please share in the comments section.
Twitter: lionslinger
says:
Of course your not a scrooge, Valentines day are just too commercialized these days. I think the best way to celebrate Valentines is going to a quite place and give all our attentions to the one we love.
You’re not a scrooge. Valentine’s Day has become a commercialized holiday ritual. Your post actually reminds me an article I wrote a few years ago.
Twitter: razzorfish
says:
Hi Tina, I totally agree with you, there is far too much hype surrounding Valentines Day. It had to happen though,there’s a lot of money to be made in it’s commercialization. I was in my local Supermarket today and I couldn’t believe the amount of merchandize on sale. There were shelves full of cuddly bears,and other assorted creatures holding little red hearts with love messages printed on them. if i wanted a nice box of chocolates and a card, they were at the other end of the store.
My wife doesn’t want to spend any money this year on Valentines day. But I have a bottle of champagne left over from Christmas, i’m also going to buy a single red rose and surprise her!
Ray´s last blog ..Parents, Where Did We Go Wrong?
Twitter: sexylegsandbod
says:
Hi Tina,
we do nothing special on valentines day, no cards, no presents, just a normal day, but every day we are together is special, and we try and spend every day as if it was valentines day. We spoil each other when ever we can.
In my opinion valentines day is a waste of money, a huge money making racket…
Great post, maybe something to consider…
Hope your valentines day is going to be great!! lol…
Colin.
sexy legs and body´s last blog ..FASHION AND KATE BECKINSALE.
Since Valentine’s Day is also my birthday, I am in favor of all celebration and I say the bigger, the better. I do think that the hype that surrounds Valentine’s Day is difficult for those that don’t have a partner. I would prefer more emphasis on celebrating all types of love, not just romantic love.
Twitter: arafat21
says:
Love don’t need a day to express. You are right on your expense concept. Company just pushing money factor in love. They trying to inject the concept – money can buy everything. Love is invaluable gift from God and we should not put a price tag on it. It’s better idea to live a normal life and express your love when you need it. Love don’t need a day.
Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..How to control access of installed software on user account in Windows 7?
We’ll stay home and share a nice dinner, I agree the gifts are out of control.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlnecker´s last blog ..Internet Dating soars: hot stares out, love-at-first-click in?
Wayyy too much hype for this holiday! Have you seen that stupid ad for the cell phone for Valentine’s Day? Seriously?! How about a home cooked meal, maybe some flowers? Ridiculous. It also feels way too forced. How about being romantic just because it’s Wednesday?
Date Girl´s last blog ..Match & Chandler’s Birthday Party
Twitter: iWoodpecker
says:
Any idea what should I do? My girlfriend will be far away from on 14 Feb. She’ll come back only the day after..
Should I wait to congratulate her, when she comes?
iWoodpecker´s last blog ..Let This Girl Survive – A Lump of Ice Fell on Her Head Right From the Roof of Multi-Floored Building – on 5th February, 2010
Valentine’s Day and Christmas, are the prime holidays that many merchants have sacrificed to the altar of crass commercialism. Sadly, many people have become willing accomplices.
The good news is that is doesn’t have to be this way. Remembering to celebrate love and loved ones each day is the best way to keep the true spirit of our holidays alive.
Terez W.´s last blog ..Will You Be Single On Valentine’s Day? Then Get S.A.D!
I pretty much agree with you 100% on this one Tina.
Say it everyday, don’t save it for just once a year.
Luckily my wife and I are on the same page with this. Otherwise I’d be screwed.
I agree with you guys…I’m not a romantic but I do appreciate sincere gestures, and all of the buying on V-Day really turns me off. I like to look at this holiday as a chance to re-evaluate our lives and see where we could be giving more love…to friends, family, etc. not just a romantic partner. And without having to buy them chocolates. Although i do love a good chocolate bar…
i couldn’t agree with you more, and not just valentines day, but all holidays. commercialized and monetary is the name of the game now a days. i don’t like any of them anymore. to find sticky notes all over the house with little affectionates on them would be romantic for me.
hugz!
PJ´s last blog ..Phone Pics
Romantic, not costly is definitely the way to go. This is a time when we should celebrate our relationship with thoughtfulness. Sometimes buying an expensive gift can be a lazy exercise because someone doesn’t want to take the time for, oh say, a picnic—tablecloth and all in the livingroom with candles and wine. Love it!
Oh yes I’m so with you on this one Tina. Where I used to love Valentine’s Day, I now have come to not so much dread it as want to ignore it. I suppose it meant more when my man and I were newly together, but this man shows me his love and adoration every day, so I don’t need a “special” day for this. Every day with him is a special day.
xxoo
Twitter: brandyellen
says:
I agree, I think there is too much hype around all the holidays. It seems they have been too commercialized and everyone forgets the true meaning. I would be happy with a nice relaxing day alone with the person I loved or a nice candle lit bath to relax!
Brandy´s last blog ..Cryo-Cell and “Save the Children: Haiti Relief Fund