Valentine's Day as a way of massive consumption

I just called to say 'I love you'

WHAT is more important on Valentine’s day? An expensive gift or true love? Can love be measured by the size or value of the gifts given?

The celebration of Valentine’s day is a worldwide tradition and many people seem to enjoy it, other people ignore it and others yet hate it.

However, several considerations seem to lower the importance of Valentine’s day. First of all, it is an expensive celebration. Secondly, do you really need a specific day to celebrate when you are in love?On 14th of February shops are decorated with red hearts and teddies. Florists welcome hundreds of customers and most restaurants are full, so that you can hardly reserve a table for a romantic meal.

I just called to say …  I’ll offer you a diamond

The ones who can afford it can arrange super events for their partners on Valentine’s day.

They can choose among thousands of dinners in luxurious hotels, expensive restaurants, romantic trips and, of course, expensive presents.

All this sounds really tempting but is there such a thing as an ‘expensive’ and ‘luxurious’ love?

And what happens if you can’t afford it? You get disappointed because you can’t offer your husband or your wife a romantic trip to Venice over the weekend? This is when Valentine’s day causes depression to people who can’t afford an expensive celebration like the ones mentioned above.

How much does love cost?

Many people argue that Valentine’s day is nothing more than a global day of massive consumption. Sales have been mixed with peoples’s feelings.

Even when some of them are convinced at the end to buy a present, they are being discouraged when they see the high prices.

Here are some of peoples’ posts on twitter referring to the prices of Valentine’s day presents during the last week:

@derrel1959 Derrel Pellegrin

“Roses $80.00 Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates $24.00 For the definite possibility of a maybe on nookie… Priceless?”

@imlikeawino Dan Villalobos

“50 bucks for a Teddy bear holding a heart.”

@mommusings Mommy Mandy

“Why are greeting cards so expensive?!?!? I just spent $10 on TWO Valentine’s Day cards….ridiculous!”

Luxurious suite or a walk in the forest?

What if the only thing you can afford is your love and dedication to the person you have chosen to share your life with? True love is more valuable than a shiny diamond. All lucky people who feel like this do not have to wait until the 14th of February to celebrate – and of course they don’t have to buy presents to make their partner happy. True happiness lies on little and invaluable things of our daily life:

@LifeChoiceCurt Curt Gorlick

“For Valentine’s Day we planned a very expensive traditional day. We decided to have a day true to our values. Nature, quality connection…”

A meal close to the fireplace, a funny joke, a walk to the nearest park, a warm smile and words about how much you care can compose the perfect scene for Valentine’s day.

Yes, glamorous scenes are tempting and a great excuse for companies to make money, but never forget that love is a gift on its own and is celebrated every minute of our life