Valentine’s: Bah Humbug
by A light (black!) hearted look at the “creation” of our modern Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Image source: “The Anti-Valentine for the protesting soul”, marinaowens etsy shop
Yep, I said it…Bah Humbug! Now, I realize I’m talking about Valentine’s Day, and not Christmas, however, since Valentine’s is second only to Christmas for the greeting card industry, I’m sure even Ebenezer would approve, and allow me to borrow his infamous phrase for this particular occasion. And why the “bah humbug” you may ask? Let’s start with the fact that an estimated 85% of those aforementioned greeting cards are bought and sent by women. That seems a little one-sided, doesn’t it? Why should I, as a woman, participate in something that, odds are, is unlikely to be reciprocated? Do we really need further proof that men just aren’t occupied by romantic thoughts, that they are, by their very nature, practical, logical people who typically have practical, logical things on their minds? Are we, as woman, really in any position to ask them to go against that nature because the calendar says so? Is a Valentine that I have whined, nagged, or reminded someone to give me, really a Valentine worth having? And why, I ask, do we need this one specific day to show our loved ones we love them? Isn’t a sappy card or flowers given on, say, April 3rd, filled with far more meaning coming from sheer thoughtfulness, rather than a forced observance on February 14th? Please don’t misconstrue what I’m trying to say here, for I’m not attempting to poke at either gender…I adore a romantic gift or card as much as the next woman, however, I adore it best when it is given freely and by surprise, from a place of true thoughtfulness and caring, and I can’t help but wonder why we put such pressure on ourselves, men or women, simply because the mass media is telling us to! The blatant commercialization of Valentine’s Day has managed to quash the true emotions meant to be expressed and made them secondary to the stress and pressure this occasion seems to bring for couples and singles alike. Couples who have to fret and plan and shop and spend to please their partner, and singles who are made to feel lonely and left out by the very fact that they are single, even earning February 14th the nickname of “Singles Awareness Day”.
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Post CommentSotiris
On February 9, 2009 at 10:38 am
Nice article. Valentine’s day is for the profit-makers!
R J Evans
On February 9, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Yeah – I agree with Sotiris – should I choose to ever (ever!) do something for VD (ouch! Valentine’s Day is a disease!) I will make the card myself, grow the flowers myself and buy the chocolate myself (and then eat it, yeah, you know!). Cool article!
Lee Altman
On February 9, 2009 at 1:55 pm
So true indeed
postpunkpixie
On February 9, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I totally agree. It’s a forced and frankly pretty mean “holiday”
Katien
On February 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I had never thought about the origins of Valentine’s day, it was interesting.
Chris Grant
On February 9, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Lots of info that I didn’t know! I thought it was all about the Valentine’s Day Massacre LOL!…j/k
Great article Tracy
Laura McBride
On February 9, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Yet another thoughtful article with plenty of insight.
Anne McNew
On February 9, 2009 at 7:25 pm
another thought provoking piece. nice one.
TL Warner
On February 9, 2009 at 8:12 pm
An interesting side note, while researching this piece, I discovered a growing trend towards the “anti-Valentine”, that’s becoming quite a market in it’s own right. While I applaud the acknowledgment of the rampant commercialization of the day, & appreciate the opportunity for those of us who are a little more cynical about the occasion to be heard, & have our own brand of fun, I must also acknowledge that, in the end, this too has become yet another marketing ploy! The “anti-Valentine” was initially a grassroots effort, made by & for those of us who choose not to celebrate in the traditional manner. Once the greeting card & gift industry jumped onto that bandwagon, however, they managed to corner both ends of the market, & continue to pull in their revenues, despite the turn by many towards a general “boycott” of the sappy sentiments of the day. Thus, they still win…Bah Humbug!! LOL!! BTW, one of my favourite “anti-Valentine’s” was a card with a ripped out, bloody heart on the front, that said, “Since it’s Valentine’s day, I’m giving you something with a heart on it…”, & inside, “I won’t tell you who’s it is though, the less you know, the better!”.
Joie Schmidt
On February 9, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Very interesting article –
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.