Oh, the holiday of love.
From the time we start pre-school, we are taught that Valentine's Day is about showing loved ones how much we care. From the classroom parties to sending out Valentine cards as four-year-olds, it is melted into our brains that this so-called "holiday" is important. Before a child has developed bladder control, they are experiencing a holiday that is enforcing a corporate scam.
In addition, we give our partners candy, cards, and flowers, declaring our love and affection by supporting Hallmark and Hershey’s. Money is spent on large stuffed bears, hearts, or monkeys and the more elaborate the gift, the more your partner “loves” you.
Now, before you assume that I must be bitter and single, let me explain. I see nothing wrong with showing your appreciation, your love, or simply spoiling the one you love with tokens of gratitude. However, needing a dedicated day to do so is the problem. What about the other 364 days of the year? Why do we need a specific day to let our partners know that we appreciate them? This holiday, if anything, gives partners a free pass for going all out on one day of the year and showing little appreciation for months on after.
Valentine's Day also comes with a certain stigma that an individual must have another person to share within all the pink and red fuss. I expect nothing from my boyfriend on Valentine's Day because I expect him to love me the same every single day. If you are going to spend money on flowers on Valentines Day, why not purchase flowers for her on a gloomy Tuesday as well?
The money spent on gifts, unnecessary lingerie, body regimes, and even the romantic getaways place a stigma of expectation in the world of dating. It becomes expected that the man will shower the women with gifts, and the woman will show up in sexy lace and say yes.
The gifts that are given with no expectation or needed holiday are the ones that provide the most love and meaning. Go out with your girlfriends and give them a bottle of wine any day of the year instead of feeling forced on “Galentine's Day.” Send your partner flowers or candy after hearing about her bad day or his frustration at work instead of only on February 14th.
America, stop letting a corporate made holiday determine your happiness or love for someone else or yourself. No one is judging you that you’re sitting home alone on this pointless holiday and no one cares if your boyfriend bought you a teddy bear or a talking dog.