Love is in the air Students and teachers reflect on valentine's day

Graphic by Allyson Smith

By Sydney Watts

Staff Writer

As the new year excitement fades and February begins, many people look forward to celebrating a wholesome holiday with their partner where they trade gifts, affirmation, and/or even enjoy a romantic dinner together.

On the other hand, Valentine’s Day is considered just a lonely day for a large chunk of people without a partner or loved one. This holiday seems to be very black and white, in which people really appreciate it and look forward to celebrating, or they just dread the season altogether. Some report that even if they don’t have a lover to share the day with, they’ll still celebrate with their friends and/or family. In the last few years, social media has made a spin off of Valentine’s Day for girls without a partner where they celebrate together with candy, flowers and decor but call it “Galentine's” instead. Others casually celebrate while still buying Valentine’s candy and cards but without the romance.

According to 2020 studies, on average Americans will spend roughly $27 billion on Valentines Day, including $1.6 billion on candy, $1.9 billion on flowers, $4.4 billion on diamonds, gold and silver, and $19.1 billion on traditions such as dinners, vacations and various presents.

Publications held polls on social media for students and faculty to answer regarding their views on Valentine’s Day. Teachers and students were asked their opinion on the holiday, whether they celebrate it and their favorite candy/tradition. Other students were asked their opinion on Valentine’s Day directly and whether or not they particularly care for it.

When asked their favorite Valentine’s Day tradition, 6.6% of students responded with “going on a date/dinner.” Forty percent of students responded with giving/receiving gifts or candy, and 53.3% reported they are form of being alone on Valentine’s Day. When asked their favorite romantic gifts, 4.3% responded with teddy bears or stuffed animals, 8.7% said money, 34.8% said flowers and 52.2% answered that receiving or giving some form of candy was their preference.

Results showed a gross estimate that 51% of students celebrate the holiday, while the remaining 49% don’t. Unsurprisingly, 62% of students agreed that Valentine’s Day was overrated.

“Valentine’s Day is not about buying chocolate, flowers and teddy bears,” senior Beth Dietze said. “Valentine’s Day was meant to be the time that you actually understand just how fortunate you are to have the person you are with. It’s meant to be a day where couples understand the sacrifices they are doing for each other and how lucky they are to be with each other. I feel like [now] it is a useless holiday that has been wildly perverted by society.”

This negative opinion towards the modernization and materialistic intent behind Valentine’s Day seems to be a popular one, considering over half the student body agrees the holiday is overrated in the media. Although, not all students feel that way.

“Valentine’s has always been my favorite holiday,” senior Olivia George said. “I’m not sure if it’s because red and pink are my favorite colors or because I love chocolate covered strawberries. Either way, I just love love.”

Married couples on campus were asked to give a relationship advice quote in the spirit of the holiday.