Why Valentine's Day Deserves a Heart-Shaped Eye Roll

Ah, Valentine's Day - that magical time of the year when love is in the air, and the scent of overpriced roses wafts through the streets. But hold on to your heart-shaped balloons because as much as we love to love, some of us simply hate to market it. Let's take a romantic cruise into the red and white realm of this oh-so-beloved yet slightly eye-roll-worthy holiday.

The Story of Valentine's Day

Once upon a time, in Ancient Rome, there lived a particular saint named Valentine. Legend has it that he performed secret marriages for soldiers, defying the emperor's ban on matrimony and joining the hearts of those denied its tender embrace. It's truly a story that deserves a collective "aww". 

As legend has it, on the eve of Valentine's impending execution, he penned the inaugural "Valentine" card himself, addressing it to Julia, the daughter of his jailer Asterius. In a poignant gesture, he signed it "Your Valentine," a sentiment that would echo through the ages. It's said that during his time in captivity, Valentine not only formed a bond with Julia but also miraculously cured her blindness at Asterius' request. 

These tales of compassion and healing became intertwined with the tradition of Valentine's Day, culminating in the emergence of the first commercial Valentine's Day cards in late 18th century England.

Fast forward to Hallmark, a company that seemed to agree and decided love is more than a feeling; it is a commodity, and it needs a price tag. In 1912, they added greeting cards to their repertoire, and suddenly, Valentine's Day became a marketing bonanza. Who knew love could be so profitable? Hallmark, clearly.

The Hallmark Hype Machine

Enter the Hallmark Hype Machine, where cards, flowers, and plush teddy bears reign supreme. It turns out our expressions of love need a glossy finish and a pretty red ribbon to actually mean anything. At least, that's according to the powers that be in the greeting card industry. Roses are red, violets are blue, but Hallmark green is the colour that keeps this holiday true! 

Who needs genuine sentiments when you can have a pre-written card say it all for you?

"Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Commercialism is in Love, and It's Not With You"

The more time marches on, the more we start to see the ugly head of commercialism and plastic hearts. Perhaps it's simply a problem with getting older, where we realise all the rosy platitudes are just as old. But it becomes evident that Valentine's Day is less about warm, fuzzy feelings and more about cold, hard cash.

In 2021, Hong Kong residents shell out around R3000 - R4000 on gifts, creating a sweet R300 billion industry as a cumulative figure. According to Bankrate, younger millennials (ages 23-29) have the highest Valentine's Day spending habits and expectations.  Perhaps the industry should become more self-aware, and simply replace Cupid's heart-shaped arrow with a brilliant pink dollar bill. 

Lonely Hearts Club: Singles Left in the Shadows

While lovebirds bask in the glow of candlelit dinners and heart-shaped chocolates, spare a thought for the single souls navigating a sea of affectionate couples. Valentine's Day can be a real downer for the unattached, with the grocery store's front aisle practically shouting, "Look at all these happy people in love! What's wrong with you?" 

Honestly, who needs a significant other when you have a Netflix subscription and a tub of strawberry and vanilla ice cream, right? Oh goodness... we just found a way to commercialise the lack of love as well!

Birthday Blues - When Valentine's Day Steals Your Cake

Imagine sharing your birthday with Valentine's Day - the horror! Forget about having a nice dinner on your special day because every restaurant is booked solid with starry-eyed couples. Birthdays take a back seat as the world revels in heart-shaped confetti and candlelit dinners. Sorry, Dad, but your birthday cake will have to wait; Cupid's new dollar-shaped arrow's got dibs on the spotlight.

Love! Now Available for a Limited Time Only!

In a world where love is advertised like the latest gadget, we can't help but wonder: is this the real deal or just a limited-time offer? Valentine's Day has become a plastic-wrapped, commercial extravaganza where heartfelt emotions share shelf space with heart-shaped sweets. 

Perhaps we should all take a moment to ponder if our expressions of love have been outsourced to the highest bidder.

While we may exchange heart-shaped cards and indulge in overpriced dinners, it's crucial to remember that love isn't confined to a single day. Valentine's Day may make some of us roll our eyes, but it's a reminder that love should be celebrated daily, minus the hefty price tag. So, dear readers, here's to love that's genuine, lasting, and, most importantly, not constrained by the plastic confines of a heart-shaped balloon!

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