By Megan O'Kane
I’m going to start this article by stating that I hate Valentines Day, and it’s not because I’m single. In fact, I can honestly say that I would much rather be single on Valentine’s Day than buy into the consumerist crap-fest that is February 14th. Here are just 7 of my many reasons why:
It’s Expensive
Seriously, spending ridiculous amounts of money on
extravagant (read: tacky) gifts has the same value as tipping a bucket full of
cash into your local river. Prices of flowers rise by around one-third in the
weeks leading up to Valentines Day. Would you spend £45 on a bunch of roses for
your partner any other day? No. And here’s the thing about roses: they die. Isn’t
that a lovely metaphor for your relationship? Perhaps it’s better to go for one
of those uber-unique Pandora Valentine rings that no-one else is going to have.
They only cost £115 and, let’s be honest, rent money is over-rated.
I don’t know about you, but the concept of sending your feelings
in a card to either a stranger, or someone who is currently unaware of these
feelings, IS PRETTY DARN CREEPY. Last year on Valentines Day I had a box of
chocolates, flowers and an “I Love You” balloon delivered to my doorstep...from
someone I wasn’t even dating. Unfortunately, for the person involved, the only
things that were achieved were an awkward conversation and a new-found phobia
of balloons on my part.
What’s Wrong with
Being Single?
Valentines Day sends out the message that being in a relationship
is what we should be striving for. Only when you reach this life goal (give me
strength), are you able to celebrate the day. The marketing machine that is St.
Valentine (or Hallmark) heavy-handedly suggests that everyone is in love and,
if you’re not, you should be.
Love All Year Round
Contrary to popular belief, giving someone a gift on
Valentines Day can be the easiest way to make them feel like crap. Who wants to
be forcibly handed a gift to meet the obligatory standards of the day? Show
your partner that you love them all year round, not just on February 14th.
Are your feelings lesser on April 3rd? Or September 26th?
It’s a Competition
I’m a firm believer in the fact that you can have a
successful relationship without ever being “Facebook official” or telling the
world every two minutes how lucky you are because your significant other
“treats you like a princess.” Technology these days has made it easier than
ever to share the smallest aspects of your life with thousands of people online
at the touch of a button. On Facebook, people can share pictures of their
Valentine’s gifts and, whilst no-one will say it outright, it’s a competition
to see who has received the biggest (or smallest!) gift.
It’s Offensive
When I say offensive, I’m talking
about those tacky satin underwear sets and fluffy handcuffs which make an
appearance in shops in January and miraculously disappear off the selves
post-Valentines Day. What kind of message does this send out? That women will engage in sexual activity only after
receiving materialistic compensation. Isn’t it interesting that there are no
“sexy” Valentines Day gifts aimed at men?
So what will I be doing on
Valentines Day 2014? Drowning my sorrows in wine? Absolutely not. Eating my
body-weight in chocolate? No chance. I’ll be getting on with my life as though
it’s just any other day, because that’s all it is. An over-hyped date in the
calendar, exploited to rob consumers blind.
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