Single people have every right to be bitter during the season of love when they find themselves dreadfully alone, but maybe couples should be shown a little more mercy? Commonly known as a day for people to express their love and affection, Valentine’s Day is an endearing idea to most. However, when the red, pink and white decorations are rolled out, couples duck for cover and hold their wallets close. To them, the “day of love” is nothing more than a predatory capitalist ruse where large corporations sink their teeth into people’s bank accounts, claiming that in order to be a good partner you have to spend your money right then and there before the 14th hits.
Ornate bouquets of flowers, chocolate covered strawberries and stuffed animals carrying a heart embroidered with something like “I wuv u!” or “Be Mine”– all classic Valentine’s Day paraphernalia that people are pressured into buying for their partner, else they will be perceived as cruel or itching to break up. Popular chain stores like CVS and HEB begin to display their extensive Valentine’s Day inventory the second the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and the calendar year rolls over. These stores are as fast to put out their Valentine’s stuff as they are to begin selling 4th of July patriotic gear in May. Corporate pressure for couples to exchange gifts and make reservations to fancy restaurants on Valentine’s Day is no hidden tendency, and neither is the profit earned from their efforts.
In a Fox Business article from 2023, it was comfortably projected that Americans were expected to spend an overall $27.5 billion during the “season of love.” It seems that there’s no better way to show your appreciation and affection than spending over $100 on your significant other. If that isn’t true love, then I don’t know what is. Taking a step back from the desensitization to the situation, why is it that companies are seemingly the ones being shown love during what should be a heartfelt holiday between people who love and choose each other? Large corporations are openly profiting off of couples being guilt tripped into purchasing their gross raspberry chocolates and stuffed animals that will be torn to shreds during a break up.
While it can be incredibly isolating and disappointing to be single on Valentine’s Day, at least you weren’t obligated to feed the beast that is capitalism in order to show your partner that you actually like them. In no way is it bad for someone to treat their significant other to a special day of gifts and dinner, but it’s impossible to ignore the predatory marketing that led them there. Valentine’s Day has unfortunately strayed from the day of love that it once was; now, if you don’t buy a gift you’re evil, and if your friend got something better you’re seething. Give your girlfriend a box of chocolates and flowers if you want to, that’s awesome, but don’t hold off until a holiday practically takes your card and buys it for you. Valentine’s Day and large companies didn’t invent love, humans did.