The Value Of A Valentine

Everywhere you look there are red hearts, sale signs plugging a dozen roses for $19.99, and cards. Lots of cards. It’s estimated that 152 million cards are bought for this special day (Hallmark) to pass around and express how much one would like for you to “Be mine” or in this new digital age, “Tweet me“. If you look closely enough, however, you might just see a few disdainful looks in the card aisle. Or perhaps it might come from a passerby scoffing as they walk past the row of chocolate boxes. What are these cynics’ responses to all the warm fuzzy stuffed animals? “This is a commercialized money making holiday. Why do we need a national holiday and things to say ‘I love you’. It should be said everyday!” I couldn’t agree less. Or more.
 
First off, I give a resounding “Yes, we do need a holiday to celebrate love.” - whether it’s love for a significant other, family, friends, or recent crush. We need a love day. In an ideal world, St. Valentine wouldn’t be one of the most well known martyrs. But reality is, people get busy, they are forgetful, and in this economy – love may not be one of the top priorities on a daily basis. The phrase “Stop and smell the roses” exists in our culture for a reason. It doesn’t seem like things are going to slow down or change magically, so why not apply the same concept to love? And as a female, it’s the one holiday where expectations of my husband can run rampant, unwarranted, and remain technically unjustified, solely relying on the reasoning of “It’s Valentine’s Day!”
 
But does that mean I’m expecting a card, candy, AND stuffed animal? Here’s where I couldn’t agree more: I could do without the commercialized aspect of this holiday. Call me a romantic, but I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money (or money at all) to purchase things to say “I love you” on your behalf. I was walking by a high end boutique shoe store yesterday when I overhead a conversation between a mother and her middle school aged son. She was marveling over the boots that were now on sale and exclaimed pleadingly to her son “Ok, tell Dad these are for Valentine's Day… OK?? These ones!!” Really!?! A pair of boots say “I love you”? We’re not even going to get into what type of conditioning that kind of a scenario is giving her son.
 
However, to be honest, sometimes “it’s the thought that counts” doesn’t quite cut it on this day. So what’s the happy medium? I’d say it’s the meaningful gestures that really say “I love you.” Now, I don’t have anything against store bought cards. In fact, I often like to read and enjoy their wit and humor. I also don’t have anything against a homemade card. Or how about making a meal for your loved one? Offering a massage after a long week of work? What about packing a picnic and going to watch the sun rise or sit at the beach? Especially in this economy, why can’t we value the more simple things that can bring us closer together? It’s about the time spent, not money spent that truly decides the value of a Valentine.
 
I’ll admit, I like looking at the festive red and pink themed decorations and displays in stores. They’re a reminder that a very special and much needed day is coming up. But for a Valentine to really matter, it should mean something more than a price tag. Before reaching for that wallet, turn on the thinking cap first. The cynics can both win and lose on this argument.
 
-Rae is a blogger for The Daily Vine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.