I was at the mall. Never have I seen so many guys, alone or in pairs at the mall. Never have I seen so many women, zeroed in on their purchases, and avoiding window-shopping. I think even more than Christmas, Valentine's Day is a time of shopping. A time where if you don't get something for your loved one, you could easily be toast. So, people head out to the stores in droves. Especially the florist. I think florists must make half of their yearly profits on Valentines. The card shop? The lineup for the cashier extended well into the actaul mall itself. And the chocolate store? Very busy indeed. The rest of the mall? Um....I think I saw a few people in La Senza, but that's about it. And the prices? Boy! Amazing deals. What other time of the year do places mark their stuff up 100%? I think the florist literally does! Nobody cares. They're there for the flowers, and hang the cost. It's Valentine's Day! That's the attitude. Well, that's my attitude at least.
Is it really all worth it? Do we really need a day like Valentine's Day? Personally, I would much rather do things individually than part of a mass movement to benefit florists. I mean, really, what's the value in Valentines Day? I don't see it as having much value. Single people don't get much out of it, in fact, there are probably some who get depressed by it. It doesn't benefit people like me, who feel that it is necessary to buy something. It doesn't benefit people like Allison, who are receiving what is basically an empty gesture. Well, not completely empty, that's not really true. But look at it this way. Would you rather receive a dozen roses on February 14 because it is Valentine's Day, or on June 27, "just cuz". Well, in most cases, for the giver, June 27 is going to be the more meaningful day. They aren't doing it because of some expectation that they are supposed to do it. They're doing it because they genuinely love you. Society expects lovers to present each other (or at least the guy to present to the girl) presents at Valentine's Day. If not for that fact, how many people would do it? Precious few. So, the whole premise behind gift giving at Valentine's is not in fact based on the couple's love for each other; it is based on society's expectation of them. Candle lit dinner at a fancy restaurant? Same thing. Same damn thing. To me, there is one group and one group only who truly understands what Valentine's Day is all about.
When we were kids, many of us celebrated Valentine's Day in our classes. It was a huge thing. A couple weeks before, as the art project for that week, we would all have to make these big red heart shaped envelopes that we would stick on the side of our desks. Closer to the date, sometimes the teacher would hand out class lists, so that kids could write cards. The kids would sit down the mom or dad, and the list, and write a card to every person in their class. Then it would be the big day. Sometimes, the party lasted the whole day. More often, the morning would be lessons as usual, with the afternoon reserved for the party. But on those days, lessons were not hard. Excitement made the kids unteachable. There would be all manner of goodies on the table at the back of the room. Cinnamon hearts (which I hated), rice krispie squares with red stuff in them, red icing cookies and cupcakes, etc etc. Finally, it would be time. There would be a few minutes of chaos as everybody scrambed to hand out all of their valentines. Then a happy murmur punctuated with squeals of delight as the kids read their cards. There'd be talking, eating, some games probably. Once or twice there was even a dance of sorts. All in all, a very very fun afternoon. And that, folks, is what I think Valentine's ought to be. Opening that envelope and finding out that thirty of your classmates love you.