Valentine’s Day more than hype

Breeze Perspectives

Many may question if Valentine’s Day really is worth all the hype. Is this day really about love and romance between two people, or is it another way for businesses to profit? Novelties and thoughtfulness aside, it’s hard to see who really benefits from Valentine’s Day — lovers or businessmen.

Junior Lauren Mazzotta said, "I went on a date with my two roommates," junior Lauren Mazzotta said. "I hate Valentine’s Day — I think it’s just a ridiculous holiday geared to bring big businesses money."

Mazzotta’s feelings about Valentine’s Day aren’t too economically far from the truth.

In today’s world, Valentine’s Day and similar holidays are bankable sources of revenue for many large and small businesses alike.

In fact, MSNBC released an article that stated "last year, growers churned out 175 million roses to meet the pop in demand," and that "Valentine’s Day is boom time for companies that profit from our amorous affections" including those that sell flowers, candy, lingerie and jewelry.

So does this mean Valentine’s Day is more about money than love? Does this holiday place more emphasis on the universality of Victoria’s Secret, Russell Stover and Hallmark than on the magic of romance?

"I believe Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for one to show their significant other just how much they care about them," sophomore Mike McCraw said. "I had one goal this Valentine’s Day: To make my girlfriend feel like the most special girl in the world. Every girl should feel like a princess, and I hope I was successful at making my sweetheart feel that way." Lucky girl.

Attitudes like McCraw’s embrace the need for big business and spending money. McCraw pulled out all the stops for his sweetheart starting with a romantic dinner for two at the Joshua Wilton House.

"I presented my girlfriend with 12 roses, and on each one I had labeled something I liked about her," McCraw said. "I also bought her favorite CD, and a romantic movie."

While McCraw’s take on Valentine’s Day is refreshing, all of the economic involvement seems to ruin the holiday for others.

"I think it’s a western socially constructed view of "love," but it’s not an expression of real love, just an expression of obligation," sophomore Megan Griggs said. "I don’t see why you should treat your significant other any differently on February 14th than you would on June 4th or whatever — I think it sucks that romance is correlated with how much money you spend and that’s no good."

Either way, both parties — the businessmen and the lovers — benefit from this holiday either monetarily or romantically. Receiving flowers and sending store-bought valentines does not devalue the concept behind Valentine’s Day — they merely accessorize it.

Katie Harmon is a sophomore psychology major.