Everyone drools over the day February 14th. Whether a couple have a date planned or there dreading the fact that they are single over the holiday. Plenty of people have big plans for the day of love; however, everyone else on the planet wonder what all the fuss is about. The real holiday is actually February 15th, the day after Valentine’s day, because everything is half off, the town isn’t as crowded, and there is as much love being forced down your throat by Cupid’s magic arrow.
Overpriced gifts
Candy, stuffed animals and your girlfriend’s favorite flowers are sold year round, so why buy them at their most expensive? The shopping community uses Hallmark Holidays such as Valentine’s day to push you to buy their products. After Christmas is over every year, it is seen in most stores that the trees and Santa status are pushed to the clearance sale while the heart shaped chocolate boxes and the human sized bears are put in their place. The Christmas cards and replaced with heart pink and red mushy poems. The prices of a box of normal turtles may have doubled just because it’s covered with a pink band and covered in hearts. A stuffed animal in the toy aisle maybe be five dollars cheaper than the one at the front of the Walmart with a catchy phrase on it. According to the website statsticbrain.com the average annual spending is $13,290,000,000. The day after, February 15th, everything goes half off because, it was moved into the clearance section, much like the Christmas stuff a month earlier. Why buy the full priced expensive item, when the day after you could double the amount of gifts for the same price.
Crowds you won’t enjoy
A great reason to stay home the night of valentine’s day is because the town will be packed down with dinner and movie dates. Restaurants such as Texas Roadhouse and Cheddars have an hour plus wait around dinner time. Tickets at the movie theater would need to be bought in advance to avoid standing in the line that wraps half way around the theater. If it has been planned to see a newer, more popular movie then it’s more likely to be seated next to strangers due to lack of enough seats. Not only can dates be packed but also stores. All the procrastinating shoppers that waited till the day of to buy a present for their significant other. Larue County High School senior, Tristan Ash, stated,” Crowds give me really bad anxiety.” Fear of crowds or anxiety could cause anger issues or anxiety attacks which is totally not a fun part of a date. Everywhere is much less crowded the day afterwards because everyone is tired from the prior night. It is a much better environment for majority of people when they are not being pushed around by a crowd.
The singles
People who are in a relationship are much more likely to enjoy the holiday than someone who is not. The day is meant to celebrate love, but when there is not someone special to celebrate the day with, it can be a difficult time. Larue County High School senior, Rachel Fantasia, said “Seeing all the love can be really overwhelming.” Valentine’s day could also be a rough day to go out on if you are missing someone. There is a large amount of long distance relationships around the world who cannot spend time together, much less valentine’s day. Love is meant to be shared between two people, but not flaunted to harm people without it.
Valentine’s day is meant to be the holiday of love; however, it can also be toxic. Prices are too high, crowds can cause problems, and it’s just no fun for anyone who’s alone. Everyone would be better off celebrating whenever they wanted to, instead of being bossed around by a hallmark holiday.
Bibliography
brain, statistic. statistic brain.com . 24 january 2016. 26 january 2016.