Most people have mixed emotions about Valentine's Day. While some people love the romance in the air on February 14th, others don't buy into the chocolate overload or mushy gushy Instagram posts.
Valentine's Day has become an unnecessary source of anxiety for singles and couples alike.
What will I get him? What will I wear? Will she even like this necklace? Why are we even doing this? I'm going to die alone, aren't I?
Recently, I asked seven men and seven women to share their honest opinions about Valentine's Day. Among these 14 people are individuals of different ages and relationship statuses.
I discovered this exciting fact: even though society glamorizes Valentine's Day by putting extensive pressure on couples to plan grand gestures and makes singles feel like they have to "have some fun" or "hit up a bar," many of us actually just want to keep it simple. We like the idea of celebrating our significant other. However, we recognize they're important every day of the year, too.
Check out these 14 V-Day responses and think about your own feelings as February 14th quickly approaches:
1. "Valentine's Day? I think this ‘special’ day is completely unnecessary. You should be cherishing the person you love every day of the year, not just because it’s February 14th...You shouldn’t need a holiday to show your significant other how much they mean to you. I mean come on, how many $60 oversized Walmart stuffed bears does a girl really need? Not to mention the fact that Valentine's Day can bring down the spirits of people who are not in relationships." - Female, Age 20
2. "I like it, but it's better to keep it simple." - Male, Age 54
3. "It’s a cute holiday, but I don’t think love should be celebrated extra in just one day. You should show your love for the people you love every single day." - Female, Age 21
4. "It's just another day' it's like a birthday." - Male, Age 84
5. "Valentine’s Day is a great way to show the ones around you that you love them, but don’t lose sight of that by making it super materialistic. It shouldn’t be about buying the biggest bear or the most expensive dinner; it should just be about celebrating the love you share with your friends, family, and significant others. And don’t forget to show everyone how much you love them, even when it isn’t Valentine’s Day!" - Female, Age 21
6. "I think it’s nice to have a day to show love for your significant other, but a little bit overrated. Now, it’s just become a huge day for certain businesses because of the opportunity to sell more goods to people who participate." - Male, Age 20
7. "I’ve been dating my boyfriend for a little over a year. I thought my feelings about Valentine’s Day would change once I got into a serious relationship, but I’m here to say they have not. To me, love isn’t materialistic. I don’t need something tangible to show me that I’m loved.
We all don’t. We deserve to be with someone that encourages us to thrive and shine every day. You don’t love your significant other one day out of the year, so why celebrate your love one day out of the year? Every day is a chance to spread love and appreciation. I hope that this Valentine’s Day we can all see that love isn’t just confined to one day, it’s something we continuously give and receive." - Female, Age 20
8. "Valentine’s Day is an important day for relationships to celebrate their love, but it shouldn’t be about money spent on each other; just celebrating each other is important enough.” - Male, Age 20
9. "Honestly, I think Valentines Day is overrated. Every year, I always worry about picking out a good gift, planning the perfect night, and wondering if my boyfriend is freaking out over having to spend lots of money on me. Cause the truth is that I don’t need a fancy restaurant, an overpriced box of chocolates, or a dozen roses to know that I’m loved. It’s shown in the little things that he does every day for me.
He came over last night and handed me a new tube of the toothpaste I use and I was like *???* and he said, “I saw you were out.” That might not seem very romantic, but it made me happy because he took the time to notice something so small. Valentine's Day is typically celebrated through grandiose displays of love (aka money), but I think love is shown more accurately through small, sweet gestures. It’s the little things that I’d rather have." - Female, Age 24
10. "Valentine's Day is a good excuse for people to pine for the commercialism we’ve all come to know and love...Valentine’s Day serves to fill reservations at high-end restaurants, sell chocolate and other candies that are only made for V-day despite tasting terrible, weaken the demeanors of many who are made to feel lonely on February 14th... I love my girlfriend, and I do my best to show her this every day...
I don’t need a special day to remind me that I care for her and should treat her well. For those who feel that you need someone on Valentine’s Day, know that you don’t, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed because you’re not participating in the craze of the holiday. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be..." - Male, Age 23
11. "Every day is Valentines Day. Celebrating at home is the best; either grab take-out or fix dinner as a family. Flowers are always nice." - Female, Age 53
12. "I'm kind of indifferent about it. I mean, I like the traditional parts like getting [my girlfriend] flowers and taking [her] out to dinner, but there are people who try way too hard and end up materializing the holiday; that's not what it should be about." - Male, Age 21
13. "I love the chocolate, but I also love feeling the love in the air." - Female, Age 77
14. "I like celebrating my relationship, but I do that every day of the year, too." - Male, Age 34
