You Heard Me
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I can already see all the guys scrambling and trying to come up with something that makes them look like a good boyfriend/husband.
I know this is not going to win me any votes, but I really don’t like Valentine’s Day.
I just don’t like the materialistic aspect of it. We have to buy even more stuff for our loved ones? I thought that’s what Christmas was for. Speaking of Christmas, most people are still broke from Christmas and now HAVE to spend more money to show their partner how much they love them.
But let’s put the HAVING to buy something aside for a minute and let me tell you of all the other reasons why I don’t like Valentine’s Day.
1. Valentine’s Day is Sexist
Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about showing your loved one that you care, but apparently “your loved one” only goes one way. Only the guy is supposed to show that he cares. Nobody puts pressure on the ladies to be creative and give us something meaningful.
There’s soooo much pressure put on men to come through on Valentine’s Day.
Nobody says anything if a girl gives her boyfriend/husband a lonely card for Valentine’s Day. But if it was the other way around you know the girl would be like, “That’s it?! This is ALL I mean to you?!!”
You know it’s true.
2. It’s a Competition
And I don’t mean a competition between guys to show off that they are better boyfriends/husbands than their friends, it is a competition between women trying to show that their boyfriend/husband is better than yours.
Oh don’t look at me like that, you know it’s true.
3. It Makes Single People Feel Terrible
It feels bad not having a partner on a regular day, unless you choose to be single, but it feels even worse on Valentine’s Day.
It’s a reminder that you are alone because nobody loves you enough to want you as their life partner. Or at least it feels that way. And it feels 100 times worse when your mom gives you a gift because she feels bad for you.
Mom: You’re always my Valentine. You: Please kill me now.
4. You Have To Be Creative
Valentine’s Day gift are extremely tacky and if you don’t want to look as if you don’t care, you better come up with something creative. Again, this only applies to men. Sexist.
It’s not like you could just buy the standard rose and box of chocolates anymore because everybody will be posting their awesome gifts on Facebook and you’re going to look like an ass. Remember, it’s a competition.
And what adult woman likes pink stuffed animals?
If you don’t want to look like a fool, you better be creative or buy something expensive.
It’s funny how if you only buy flowers you’re not “creative” enough, but if it’s a diamond necklace you’re the most romantic person ever.
Yes, because diamonds are very “creative.”
5. It’s a Lose-Lose Situation
You pretty much have to decide to either be a part of this manufactured materialistic so called holiday or risk being labeled as a bad boyfriend by others.
Stop This Farce
How about we just try be good partners all year round instead of pretending to be romantic on THE assigned day.
I’m not going to pretend that I’m the best partner to have ever walked this earth, but I try to be. I love Kate with all my heart and treat her with the respect she deserves. I really don’t like that if I don’t buy her something nice on Valentine’s Day then all of the sudden I am not good enough, by society’s standards.
There are a lot of people who treat their partners like crap all year long but are going to be labeled as a “good and romantic boyfriend/husband” because they bought something nice.
We should just treat our partners with love and respect every day of every year without the need of manufactured holiday.
Tell your partner that you love him/her, today. Write them a note telling them so every once in a while and not just on the day that you are forced to.
And stop killing flowers!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
I’m not a fan of Valentines day, but it is a day to celebrate love and who can resist that. I agree that it is a little sexist and is geared to catering to the women. Since I am a woman…..I kind of like that aspect of the holiday.
It is supposed to be a day to celebrate love, but it has turned into a “buy something nice” day.
I read a study once that giving the flowers isn’t romantic. It’s only romantic if you send them to the woman’s office. So other women can see them. I remember seeing women getting flowers when I worked in an office. It was very effective!
We’ll probably be making cards with our daughter for each other. Maybe a pancake breakfast. Crab poutine for supper. Grandparents are babysitting so we can do some loud DIY. Perfect Valentine’s Day.
Diamonds? We didn’t even do diamonds for my engagement ring!
(sorry Kate got upset. I’m all for showing my partner I love him every day, but it’s nice to celebrate it a little more once a year. It doesn’t need to cost anything though!)
That’s what I mean when I say it’s a competition thing. I agree that Valentine’s day should be celebrated but without having to buy things. There should be a rule… no gifts on valentine’s day.
Until I read your post, I must admit Valentine’s Day has been far from my mind. I’m more excited about Shrove Tuesday (pancake day on 17th Feb here in the UK). My husband is working away for Valentine’s Day and I guess we stopped celebrating it a while back! We do celebrate the day we met (as well as the day we married) and that to us is more special than a commericalised expensive day like Valentine’s Day!
OOOh pancake day sounds like a much better celebration… actually no, love is better than pancakes, but you get what I’m trying to say.
While I’m not a big Valentine’s Day fan I think it gives a good opportunity to do something special or nice with your significant other. You can decide to do something special/nice on a different day if you want. It’s important to work on your relationship and Valentine’s Day just gives a good reason to do so.
You’re right. I shouldn’t be so harsh on Valentine’s Day. I’m not against love and doing nice things for your significant other, I just don’t like the having to buy stuff part. So I guess I don’t dislike Valentine’s Day per se, I dislike what it has turned into.
I love all of your points! I totally agree. I always feel bad for my single friends. Sorry your girl felt bad 🙁
Valentine’s Day is an excuse to do something special for those you love! It’s never been a big deal in our family but I’m looking forward to doing something fun this year since it falls on a Saturday! The thing I love most about Valentine’s Day is the fact that I always can count on a love letter from the hubby!
Ha! I am a Valentine’s Day hater and I have been for years. My hubby and I have been together for 13 years and we have never celebrated Valentine’s Day, I think it’s one of the reasons why we have had such a long and healthy relationship. 🙂
I agree with you!Many people abuse valentine’s day thinking its the only day for expressing your “love”.Valentines day should be celebrated without even the gifts.All that matters is how you feel about each other.