Empty Wallets and Chocolate Hearts

Why do people hate the idea of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is a holiday where men and women express their love for one another with chocolates, roses, cards, and other material things. Despite all the sweetness, many high school students seem to hate Valentine’s Day. Crazy, right? Actually, no. There are more than a handful of reasons why this chocolate covered holiday is hated. Many students seem to agree that Valentine’s Day is simply a holiday where an insane amount of money is wasted on gifts for temporary love.

The truth about Valentine’s Day

Multiple Libra students, such as junior Daisy Ponce, would agree that Valentine’s Day is a nonessential holiday. She describes it as a holiday “labeled as the day of love,” but should not be the only day to “show/demonstrate someone you love them.” Valentine’s day just doesn’t appeal to certain individuals because the fact is “if you love someone, show it everyday” not just on that specific day.

Not only do students at Libra hate Valentine’s Day, but the teachers have their own opinions too. Ms. Mejia strongly believes that Valentine’s Day is a ridiculous “hallmark created holiday” due to the fact that it is one day designated to celebrate love. She thinks of it as a day where “corporations get to capitalize off of something we do everyday.” Ms. Mejia emphasizes that corporations benefit from all the spending made by people on products they think will show their amount of love for a person.

Oh, the pressure!

Ashley Fern, the Elite Daily writer of “17 Reasons Every Single Girl Hates Valentine’s Day”, explains how not only single people, but even those in relationships dread this day. She describes Valentine’s Day as “one overpriced cliche” that holds a cloud of pressure over couples everywhere. This gives people more of a reason to hate this day.

Some Libra students feel the pressure. Junior, Juan Hernandez admits that a person in a relationship, like himself, is “kind of expected to get them something.” Them meaning the individual’s significant other, so there is an obligation that some feel the need to fulfill. This causes some stress about what would be the “perfect” gift to buy. Not only does the person have to buy a gift that impresses the receiver, but also the audience that witnesses it. Johnathan Bogarin, another junior, feels that “this is added pressure because you get judged by people on what you get them.” Whether it’s your friends or even strangers around that witness the giving, they will all judge.

Dark chocolate madness

We can all agree that Valentine’s Day has its sweet side, but the reality of it is that it’s simply a pointless holiday. Valentine’s Day is the particular day almost everyone chooses to be all lovey dovey and shower the people they “love” with gifts and candy; but just like chocolate, all that “love” melts and then it’s gone. However, it’s not gone forever. Oh no, it returns every single year on February 14, the dreaded day of empty wallets and chocolate hearts.