Wikipedia defines Valentine’s Day as the following:
Saint Valentine’s Day[1] (commonly shortened to Valentine’s Day[1][2][3]) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).
The day has some historical value, as it actually honors men who were martyrs in early times, who were commonly names Valentine. By the 14th century, it began to identify with these elements of love, and the true value of the day was lost. I say this to prove I did my research show that this day actually meant something substantial. Am I saying that love is irrelevant? No. I’m just going to tell you what a lot of men may be scared to say to your face: Valentine’s Day is bullshyt! Walk with me (preferably in front of me because I don’t want the women throwing cupid arrows at my neck) as I explain my stance.
I think when it comes to importance, this day is extremely hyped! Some women will take Valentine’s Day as serious as a wedding anniversary, birthday, or other more important milestone. I’m asking WHY?! This one day, set aside to “honor love” is actually more media driven than anything. The retail company’s, restaurants, 1-800 FLOWERS.com representatives, and Hallmark have all swindled you (especially women) into making this day more significant than it truly deserves. Most men feel this way, but will never tell you to your face to avoid the arguments and keep Pandora’s lovely box closed. Besides, we know your girlfriends will put the battery in your back to demand and fully expect to get pampered and catered to on this day, even though it’s allegedly supposed to be a 2-Way celebration of love!
I used to get roasted by girlfriends when I explained that I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because 1) I think the premise behind its commercialism is bs, 2) You should do these things daily, and 3) There are many more important milestones to celebrate! To keep it fully funky with you, if your man doesn’t take you out, show that he cares, remembers important dates, and honors your love consistently, does he get absolved of those sins for representing on V-Day? Does the consistent boyfriend deserve to get chastised for not recognizing Valentine’s Day? Something about that dynamic screams bamboozled to me!
I know some may reply with “What about Christmas and Easter and all the other “made up holidays”? You celebrate those religiously. What makes it different?” Well I would say the key element is faith. When it comes to religion, which is faith-based, you hold a certain embedded belief in the principles and meaning in that moment. Also, to compare the importance and relevance of Easter to Valentine’s Day is like comparing Soulja Boy to Mozart. I truly feel for anyone who holds Valentine’s Day on a similar pedestal.
The only positive I can see about celebrating this day si if you’re single and you go out on a V-Day date. That one day of the year is set aside for any single man to wine and dine a female of interest and potentially score a home run. Imagine that Valentine’s Day is like having the Home Run derby at Coors Field on that day. Catch me with 2 arms up, touchdown!!
I can hear the age old question now: “Streetz #youmad?!” Nope. not at all. I believe that Valentine’s Day is a relationship swindle and while there’s NOTHING wrong with celebrating it, its true value should remain at a normal and manageable level. Fellas, if you know your lady wants to celebrate this day, oblige her. Please don’t break your pockets in the process. Save the paper for that anniversary your cellphone calendar remindes you about yearly and go all IN! Ladies, don’t kill a brother if they aren’t interested in the day, especially if he’s consistent!
For all of that, I will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, and you should too! It’s going to be one hell of an NBA All Star Sunday 
.
Open your hearts, and your thoughts. Let’s share and discuss.
Love is Love,
I outlawed Valentine's Day gifts years ago! LOL l I just never saw the point. I still get cards, although to be honest, I don't need those either.
The internets are awash with anti-Valentine's Day rants this week!
I agree with you though – it is commercial bullshyt and we should not wait for some arbitrary holiday to celebrate the one(s) we love. If you do then I think you have a right to eschew Valentine's Day. If you don't then I don't think it will kill you to suck it up this one day of the year.
I like the article. I think love should be honored everyday in your words and things you do. (paragraph 5 line 1 "is" is spelled wrong)
"Also, to compare the importance and relevance of Easter to Valentine’s Day is like comparing Soulja Boy to Mozart." Fabulous line. Loved this post.
Single or not whenever I'm not a fan of V-day, and most of the woman I know aren't either. I think most men will have an easier time telling their ladies they aren't into the day than you think.
I'm a woman and I agree with you… for the most part. I don't put much stock in Valentine's Day theatrics. I'm not much of a handmade valentine, Godiva chocolate gift bag, chauffeured car to a 5-star restaurant, followed by a trip to the top of the highest building in town to be given an obviously pre-prepared speech kinda lady. I've been on that Valentine's Day date & found it lacking.
Women just want to be treated as if they're special to you, not as if you're doing a bad remake of a romantic date you saw on an episode of The Bachelor. Act like you've actually met me. Cookie-cutter dates are for cookie-cutter girls. I would've preferred a nice bottle of wine, and a meal that you made, or going to a cool little spot you know.
If he'd done that, he could've saved himself a few hundred bucks, gotten laid, and received at least one returned phone call.
"Women just want to be treated as if they’re special to you, not as if you’re doing a bad remake of a romantic date you saw on an episode of The Bachelor. Act like you’ve actually met me. Cookie-cutter dates are for cookie-cutter girls. I would’ve preferred a nice bottle of wine, and a meal that you made, or going to a cool little spot you know."
Preach Sister!! Tabernacle!
When in a relationship, Valentine's Day should be every day. If a man waits until one day out of an entire year to show me he loves me, something is deadly wrong.
How will I celebrate V-day this year? The way I would any other day. Be thankful I'm alive to see another day and love myself.
It doesn't matter whether or not one of the guys I've dated recently asked me out or not on that day. I prefer they don't, so they won't expect any V-day sex.
Co-sign this post! Valentine's Day is shyt!! I've met guys who ARE into Valentine's day..side-eye to them & all…
I agree! V-Day is over-hyped and over-rated. I don't even trip over this holiday at all. If Im single or coupled up, this holiday doesn't do anything for me. I will use it as an excuse to go out and eat (I will use any holiday for that – lol). However, expecting chocolates (which I don't eat) and stuffed animals bears and all of that…..I could care less. I do enjoy receiving cards, and I appreciate a well thought out card, but if I don't get that I'm fine. too. I like to pamper my man all year round. So, whatever I am doing on V-day for my man, I was going to do and have done anyway….but, for those who go in on V-day its all love and all about love so enjoy…….
V-day is over-hyped. However, I still make sure the boo-piece gets to celebrate nicely just because I want her to have the coolest story of all her friends (dont lie, you know you women worry about sh!t like this).
Kudos for slipping in Cam'ron lyrics into the conversation
I'll follow up to @peyso. Yes, you know what VDay is over-hyped worse than Sebastian Telfair and you have a right to not celebrate it…. however, realize that there is a monkey ass negro ready and willing to celebrate Valentine's Day with his girl, just to make you look bad.
This goes back to my guy's always paying for it analogy. Yes, you don't have to pay for everything or split everything, but just realize there is another man that's willing to do. How much do you want to insure your investment?
Yeah I feel you… that's why i put the caveat… theres just a LOT of women out there who feel that if you don't put stock into V-Day you don't care about them! Its silly to me
Idk. Maybe it's a sentimental day. Maybe her folks gave her a present, maybe she is a woman who is in love with being in love.
As a woman, I don't really think women are as into the holiday as men believe. Sure she might feel you out and ask what you are getting her, but if you don't say that you aren't really into the holiday she might have an expectation that she IS getting something. I def think that is one of the times you have to show and tell.
And hell, why spend money on a car when you can send a cute, personalized E-card for free?
i'm really neutral on valentine's day. while I don't really like to celebrate the commercialism behind the holiday, i do want to do what will make my lady happy. so if it means sucking it up and celebrating a fake holiday then so be it.
I completely agree with this post! Valentine's Day is a barrel of rubbish! It's never been that big of a deal to me… There shouldn’t be an “obligation” to express how much you love one another, solely on this day. Thoughtful cards, candy, flowers, (et cetera) are all nice, but these gestures can be done any day in the year! Only thing worthwhile about Valentine’s Day is the candy that goes on sale the day after. LOL
Thats right sis… #EFFLOVE! LOL
I co-sign with the fact that people should NOT be breaking their pockets over this holiday… ITS NOT THAT SERIOUS. However, techinically this holiday is a two-way street. So ladies if your expecting your man to go all out for you, then make sure you are going all out for him. If you all as a couple have decided to celebrate v-day, then that requires both parties to participate
owever, techinically this holiday is a two-way street. So ladies if your expecting your man to go all out for you, then make sure you are going all out for him.
^^^^
THIS!!! And some ladies wont go for this lmao
"technically this holiday is a two-way street" I hate to admit this… but the way the ad agencies spin this holiday, I never even thought about buying something for my man until I was in my late 20's – maybe a card. Don't have a problem with it, but it just never occurred to me.
All a part of a bigger Swindle my dear!
Good insightful post. I pretty much cosign all your sentiments. As I've mentioned before, V-day is one of the "moment of truth" days in way too many relationships. People really need to relax.
I'm still not understanding how celebrating V day is mutually exclusive with 'it should be valentines day everyday" I'll use my parents for example–since this is what I saw growing up. I would always get special valentines from my folks, and they'd give love tokens to each other as well. Same with on Mothers Day, my stepdad always brings home fresh flowers to mom, and we cook breakfast and dinner for her–yes she's mom EVERYDAY of the year, but that day we show special tribute. On Fathers Day my stepdad gets to go to his favorite bbq restaurant–or we eat seafood, his favorite foods, and if we cook at home he gets the big piece of chicken! LMAO mind you he's dad everyday, but again, we show tribute. We do birthdays too. Why can't we show the same spotlight #shoutout to Love on V-Day? and not just boo love, but all love.
I'm looking forward to my Vday gifts from my folks and my boo. shoot. LOL. Its only commercial if you MAKE it commercial. be you and be loved. <3
oh and I'd avoid restaurants on all these "holidays" really. they are always super crowded anyway…
Definitely feeling you on this one Reecie. My parents always gave me little cards and small tokens of their love on Valentine's Day. Now I find myself doing the same. It's nice to show the one's you love that you truly love them.
I concur, I CONCUR @ Reecie…Growing up everyone in my house got a Valentines Day gift. I've been getting roses for as long as I can remember. I'm not really into V-Day, but if I have a boo I will get him something, I will also get my parents something, and the siblings. HEck, if I'm in a very cheery mood, I might revert to those V-Day cards that come multiples in a pack that I use to give out in class when I was younger.
I think those little cards are SO CUTE. you should do it!
puke.
I really should
…Streetz is puking, I wonder if he wants a card…hmmm!
yes please, lol
I agree 100% Valentine's Day should not be really considered a "Moment of Truth" Day in terms of how important you think your relationship is. If you still deem it as such, then you need to graduate from high school and grow up. Much more revelant "Moment of Truth" days include Birthdays and Christmas. If your SO doesn't even acknowledge you on these days, then it's defintely not a good thing. They may be showing you that they are really a selfish, cheap, and inconsiderate person or you just may be a jumpoff to them.
iCo-Sign this post, I agree w/ Streetz 100% however, how many women receive flowers, candy, etc (dinners don't count — we still dating) or little love notes OUTSIDE of Valentine's day? So while I agree it's a swindle, I'm not gonna stop him from sending them b/c the chance that he'll think to send me flowers outside of Vday or my birthday — slim to none.
I have never and will never ever force a man to give me a give on Feb 14th. And I am never giving one then either, unless he's born on that day. I won't subject any dude to a fake "holiday" to prove he loves/like/cares/wanna bone me.
As I've gotten older, I've grown 2 actually like VDay. When I was younger, I hated (w/ a splash of jealousy & envy) seeing all my friends in school get surprised IN CLASS w/ 25 obnoxious balloons, bears, card, & name bracelets/rings/necklaces. I began 2 truly hate the holiday, not only b/c of commercialism (seeing VDay products the day after XMas annoyed me), but honestly b/c of jealousy. Women are competitive creatures, & those lacking maturity want the glitz & glam not only 2 make their relationship seem perfect to themselves, but to the next chic as well. But acknowleding the true essence of the holiday takes experience & maturity. I lacked in both areas.
My thoughts on the holiday now? I think VDay is the perfect day 2 go the extra mile (this is referring 2 the consistant ones). If a man/woman is good 2 their partner all the other 364 days of the year, I think VDay is the day one should think out the box. Do something different, something amazing. It doesn't have 2 be unrealistic, but something u haven't done all year. Nothing crazy in monetary value, but something sentimental is perfect. Oh yea…ladies…men tend 2 hate VDay cuz its often commercialized as a woman's holiday. But try buying him that watch, cook his fave meal, watch the All-Star game WITH him, and give him flowers (yes…I said it!). See what happens….
excellent comment! it used to be a lot of that going on in my HS too! I def remember those feelings…
i agree with that ….it should be what he dose all the time that matters most.