By Jack Peng Staff Writer
February 14th: a day where people display their affection for each other through extravagant gifts and romantic dates. Flower stores, chocolate shops, and restaurants are filled with lovesick couples. Unfortunately, like every holiday, Valentine’s Day has negative impacts on people as well.
Valentine’s Day is often a special day for couples, but the holiday leaves many single people feeling lonely and sad, or reminiscent of their past relationships. The idea that Valentine’s Day is only for couples and those seeking relationships has turned the holiday into a dreary day for some. Those who are single are pushed aside by their friends or spend the day as awkward third wheels. People will also consider past relationships or contemplate getting back into potentially toxic relationships. According to the International Business Times, suicide rates are the highest on Valentine’s Day—many of these victims feel unloved and isolated when they witness their peers receive affection and romantic gifts. Rather than labeling Valentine’s Day as an event reserved for couples, it is important to remember that Valentine’s Day should also be a chance to celebrate and show love for friends and family. “I give my family and friends small gifts to show my affection,” says Junior Corey Nguyen. Instead of wallowing in loneliness and self-pity, why not shower your friends and family with the love that they deserve as well?
A vital part of Valentine’s Day is gift giving—according to USA Today, Americans spent about 19.6 billion dollars on presents in 2018. The numbers are steadily rising and are projected to be over 20 billion dollars in 2019. Although consumer rate is decreasing, spending continues to increase—possibly because of the materialistic obligation couples feel during this holiday. Despite a rise in social equality, men continue to feel responsible to take their significant other on a vacation or on a fancy date. Elegant restaurants, first-class plane seats, and tourist destinations are filled with couples spending hundreds to display affection for one another. While gift-giving may be an important part of Valentine’s Day, people should be mindful how much they spend. A simple present may be all it takes to make your significant other happy; after all, it is the thought that counts.
Valentine’s Day has also become a marketing strategy companies use and promote in order to make people feel obligated to buy presents. Items such as chocolates and flowers—gifts we could buy any day—suddenly appear in advertisements everywhere, pressuring people to buy them. However, a simple “I love you” and a small gift is all it should take to demonstrate your affection; but with spending has been increasing some people may feel forced to compete with their peers over who can spend the most. For example, Freshman Benjamin Leung explains, “I spent about 100 dollars on my gift.” While, Freshman Jazmine Chen describes, “I spent 10 to 20 dollars”. This demonstrates that even a high school freshman the different spectrums of Valentines gift giving.
Simply put, February 14th is a day to show your affection to all your loved ones, not just your significant other. However, be mindful of how much you spend—a simple gift can go a long way, so there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars. Despite, the negative impact Valentines has it is still a great day to make your family and friends feel special.
