February is quickly approaching, which typically means that everyone will be scrambling for last minute gifts that say "I spent $25.00 just to say 'I love you'". As I have never been a big fan of the holiday, I truly don't understood why Valentine's Day hoped on the train of being commercialized and became blown out of proportion. Why do we need one day of the year to express our love to those around us? Why not express your love when you feel the need to, or simply because you want to?
Sure, it's nice to be showered in little gifts like flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and be reminded that a special someone is thinking about you. However, can that gesture truly be thoughtful if it only stems from the idea that on Valentine's Day, you give gifts and shower people in love? Take away Valentine's Day and would you still receive those gifts as a kind gesture?
I am not shaming the idea of Valentine's Day, and I am not discouraging the celebration of it. I am simply explaining the over-exaggeration of the holiday, and how commercialized society has made it. Whatever happened to buying conversation hearts and making a homemade card? Or a candle-light dinner and a movie? All of the simple gestures that say "I love you" have been overthrown by Pandora rings, necklaces, and giant teddy bears that will sit in the corner and collect dust. I simply believe that today's society has placed too high of a value on material items and it's distancing people from the true meaning of Love. Hearing the words "I love you" can speak a lot louder than a big box of chocolates.
So, to the boys who are struggling with an idea of what to buy: put away your wallet and find your inner Van Gogh. Make your special someone a card, even if your drawing skills are not up to par. I promise she/he will rip their heart out and hand it to you. I'm not kidding. The smallest thought can go a long way.
And to the girls: Valentine's Day is just like any other day. Buy yourself that box of chocolate, eat as many as you want, watch those sappy love movies that make you cry your eyes out, and love yourself because you don't need a man to shower you in gifts and love when you've got yourself.
This Valentine's Day, stop stressing over the perfect gift with the highest price tag and make a simple gesture. Do something that shows you care and something that you know they'll love. And whatever you do... do not buy that giant stuffed animal.
