Valentine's Day: Is There A Right Way To Spend It?
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Valentine's Day: Is There A Right Way To Spend It?

It is, after all, just another day that someone way back when assigned a meaning to.

45
https://www.pexels.com/photo/stone-artwork-326612/

Valentine's Day. Those two words either elicit feelings of bitterness, indifference, or of course love. We all have our different ways of spending the holiday. Some spend it with a significant other while some treat it as a day no different than any other.

Have you ever wondered how other people spend the holiday? Well, I've got some answers for you, and some of them honestly shocked me.

Single or Taken?

On Valentine's Day, you're either two things: single or taken. There's really not much else, but surprisingly enough, of the people that I asked about their relationship status, an overwhelming majority were single. 50 of the 85 voted being single going into the holiday. So if you're one of the single ladies (or guys), don't worry because you aren't alone.

Extravagant Gifts

Most people associate Valentine's Day with grand, often expensive, gestures between partners. Sometimes, it can be as simple as flowers and chocolate (which I'd take any day. hint, hint. ;) ) to something like jewelry. But the question is: do people actually expect those things? I asked 75 people and the vast majority said no (59 no's and 6 yes's). So if you're one of those people scrambling for an idea to gift your significant other, don't worry! They might not even want a fancy gift. It's the thought that counts, right?

More pressure on the guy or the girl?

Like I mentioned before, there is a lot of pressure that faces the holiday, not only just to pick out a gift but also to do the "romantic" thing, or just to even be in a relationship at all. But who faces more of that pressure? The majority opinion seems to believe that there is more pressure on the guy than the girl in the relationship during this holiday (65 votes for guy, 10 for girl). In my opinion, people focus too much on the material side of the holiday which is why there's pressure on either party in the first place.

Solitude or Friendship?

It's a common thing for single girls to get together on Valentine's Day and celebrate in "Galentine's Day" as a way of participating in the holiday without being alone and instead surrounded by friends. (Is there a guy equivalent? Let a girl know.) There's also those who choose to spend the holiday alone at home with what makes them most comfortable or relaxed. This question gave about a 50/50 result with 28 people saying they would spend the holiday alone and 29 voting to spend the night with friends.

Bitter being single?

Sometimes, it's natural to be bitter or sad that you're single. We all want someone to vent to or cuddle with on those cold winter nights, but there are still those people that enjoy being single. When I asked people if being single made them bitter, most said no. (16 for yes, 48 for no). To those, 16 yes's let me just say that you are great on your own, so embrace your individuality and go eat some cake. I promise it'll make you feel better.

Physical Intimacy

Valentine's Day has always been portrayed as the most romantic holiday and somehow it has become synonymous with displays/acts of physical intimacy. We always see couples engaging in acts of physical intimacy in movies on Valentine's Day, but do people really think that has to happen in order for the holiday to be considered romantic? Surprisingly, most people said no. (74 no's, 4 yes's). While it is definitely okay to be physically intimate on Valentine's Day, don't think it HAS to happen.

Whether you're spending Valentine's Day single or taken, with friends or alone, or bitter and sad, don't let the stigma around the holiday influence how you spend it. It is, after all, just another day that someone way back when assigned a meaning to. You get to choose how the day goes. However you choose to spend it, make Valentine's Day 2019 a good one!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58408
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37624
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959226
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193597
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments