The biggest problem with Valentine’s Day is its inherent commercialization. In fairness, the modern incarnation of Valentine’s Day has always been a for-profit scam, but it exists today as such only because we buy (into) it. It is common for cultures to have traditions and holidays like Valentine’s Day. A day for people to share their romantic love is great (in theory).
However, the commercially expected mandates of Valentine’s Day make the day less than genuine. Our Valentine’s Day seems more forced than the new Russian Equivalent, Conception Day, wherein people are given a holiday from work, a government issue “love kit”, and a chance at winning a prize if you have a child exactly 9 months from that day.
So rather than buy your significant other a 4 foot teddy bear or $10 impersonal mp3 greeting card, do something authentic like cooking dinner or writing them a letter.
Thou Shall Not Purchase Roses:
This is for the guys. Look I know women like flowers. Why? I don’t know, I guess for the same reason they like shoes and Project Runway. But Roses on Valentine’s Day is just so incredibly lame and predictably cheesy. Just give it two weeks and they will wither and die like apparently your sense of creativity and spontaneity did years ago.
Whatever you do, if you do decide to throw on the cheese and get Roses, DO NOT BUY JUST ONE. It makes you look like a tool. That is unless it is made of chocolate. Then I suppose it’s forgivably delicious.
Thou Shall Do Something Special For Their Loved One More Than Just Once a Year:
If you do special things for your partner only on days of obligation (Valentine’s, Birthdays, Anniversaries), either your relationship, (or more likely) you need to go. When you care about someone, you do special things for them because you want to, not because you have to.
Showing someone that you love them is not supposed to be a chore. In a week or two, take your partner out on a date just because it’s Tuesday. Or better yet buy “Across the Universe”,
the most surefire date movie of the past 10 years. The more spontaneous the sign of affection, the more exciting and worthwhile it will be.
Thou Shall Call All of Those You Love.
If there is going to be a day for love, why not go ahead and just go all out. Give your friends Sponge Bob Valentines; pass out those crappy chalk hearts to your neighbors.
And tell your family you them. Mom, family, I love you.
And finally, Thou Shall Go To the Bar if Thou Art Single.
If this V-Day you find yourself alone, don’t fret, there are many folks just like you. I challenge you to name a better day for hooking-up than Valentine’s Day. Everyone there will be just as anxious and hopeful as you are. It’s easier than shooting fish in a barrel. And more fun too.
Thou shall only need love.
The Beatles once said, “All you need is Love”. At the end of the day, I figure that’s the only commandment worth following. Happy Valentine’s Day Megan.
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