Valentine’s Day: Little pink hearts, fluffy stuffed animals and frou-frou greeting cards. It’s all so cute — it makes you want to vomit, right? Apparently, you’re not alone. Everyone I talk to seems to think that Valentine’s Day sucks. Being forced to listen to their cynical outbursts is so exasperating, I might just throw my conversation hearts at the next person who says it. After that point, I can’t be held responsible for my actions. Trendy anti-Valentine’s Day sentiments have become just as bothersome and cliché as that “annoying” cupid.
I know, I know. Valentine’s Day seems like it was created to make single people feel like failures. Believe me, I’ve spent my share of them alone — and yes, I did feel like a loser. But the holiday can be fun for people without significant others. Why not go to a party or a bar? Singles can go with other unattached friends, and there will be plenty of others there, feeling equally desperate (oh-la-la). Or, if you must wallow in your singleness, write some sappy love poems.
It’s not just lonely people who abhor the “Day of Love,” either. Others say their partners should do special things for them every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. I agree. Isn’t it great to have a day that actually reminds us to do these things and gives us a chance to be mushy, without our love interest looking at us like we’re crazy? Sure, being considerate and showing your significant other that you care about them is important to do every single day, but I’m not passing up a chance for free candy, either.
Another excuse, especially for college students, is not having enough money to pay for dates or buy gifts on Valentine’s Day. People in this situation still have plenty of options. They can take their date out to look at the stars or make them a valentine. Last year, I made my boyfriend a collage, using old magazines. It sounds cheesy, but it actually turned out to be really special.
For those who have exhausted all excuses, yet still hate Valentine’s Day, there’s an attractive option of the anti-Valentine’s Day party. You can get drunk or eat chocolate, or both, until you puke, all while spewing forth obscenities expressing how much you hate Feb. 14. As a bonus, the other party guests will share in your misery.
Those who complain about Valentine’s Day should also remember one thing: They don’t have to celebrate. But at least they have the option to participate in the holiday if they want to, without the risk of violence or punishment. Imagine living in a country where officials confiscate that bouquet of roses before you can deliver it to your sweetie. This actually happens in certain parts of China. Picture conservative protesters vandalizing stores that sell Valentine’s Day merchandise — small groups in India tried that two years ago. Indian right-wing leaders also pushed for a ban on the increasingly popular “indecent” holiday.
So, if we’re griping about anything, it should be more consequential than a few pink hearts and flowers. Maybe we should complain that there are still places where citizens must put themselves in danger to observe the holidays they choose to celebrate. After all, what’s wrong with love?
If people still can’t get over how terrible Valentine’s Day is, they should just be grumpy in silence and let the rest of us enjoy it. No one is forcing them to celebrate.
So happy Valentine’s Day. The world needs all the love it can get right now. And I need all the chocolate I can get.