I've never really thought of Valentines Day as a holiday. I'm not really sure what I do think of it as, other than a way for card companies, confectioners and florists to make a great deal of money. It kind of fills in the gap for them, I suppose, between Christmas and Easter. What do you think? Do you enjoy Valentines Day or is it just another day to you?
When I was younger I had to buy flowers and chocolate for whoever happened to be my Valentine on that day. As one ages and the illusion of romance dissipates and one must face the harsh reality that where it doesn't exist love can't be nudged alive with flowers and chocolate, I lost interest in Valentine's day. These days, it's just another day. A time to see younger people reaching for the unattainable and believing they can get it.
And yet I do see, sometimes, some older couples who go all out and really enjoy Valentines Day. My husband and I have at times tried to go out somewhere nice to eat, etc, only to find that everyone else is doing the same. We've looked at each other and opted to go home and try eating out another day when we can actually get into a restaurant without a thirty minute wait.
When I was younger, i never really though of Valentine's day as a holiday either, but that was probably because I still had to go to school and I never actually cared about the day?? Lol. I have never actually celebrated Valentine's day with someone that I have been in love with, so I guess you could say that I was a V-Day virgin!!! Because of that also, it has always just been another day to me. But there is a lot more red in the world because of the heart balloons and such, which I love red so that is always fabulous!!
I like Valentine's Day, even though I'm not with a man that I'm in love with right now, not with any man for that matter, I still like the idea of celebrating love. Any excuse to celebrate almost anything is fine with me. I like to buy chocolates and cupcakes frosted in pink and red icing, a heart balloon or two, some fresh flowers just for myself. Yes, it would be great to have someone to be with on Valentine's Day (I might be with someone by then, lol, it's still "a-ways away"), but not having a certain someone does not stop me at all from celebrating. I really don't like going out to eat all that much, I mean it's okay, but I prefer to cook my own food. I like to get myself some wine and cook a good meal for myself and my son and decorate the house a little bit for Valentine'd Day. It's enjoyable
As a non-American, I've never really got the concept of it being a "holiday". In the UK, a holiday is a day that you don't work. I can see why it would be treated as a celebration of sorts, but as with certain other "holidays" it also does separate out the "haves" from the "have nots". It should embrace everyone but I think it makes certain people more aware that they would like that they're in a bad relationship or not in a relationship at all.
My husband and I have always exchanged small gifts, like chocolate or a nice card, on Valentine's day, but we've never made a huge deal out of it like some people. We do small things for the kids just because it's fun. I'll make a cute after-school snack or he'll buy them each a small stuffed animal. When we had our first we decided to make a date night out of Valentine's day because it was rare for us to have a night out. We made reservations at a pricy restaurant that we both loved but seldom went to, but because it was a "holiday" they had a special menu and the place was packed. We didn't get to enjoy the restaurant as we would have liked and after that decided that we can pretty much profess our love and admiration of each other on any day of the year, we don't need a special calendar day to remind us!
It's a commercial excuse for people to spend money on more things. I've never embraced Valentine's Day and it's worse for people who don't have anyone as they are made to feel left out and people look for any reason to stay with someone so they are not alone on that day. Even when I have had someone to share it with, it was never anything special but people like it as an excuse to ask people out or to make up so maybe it helps society and relationships?
I will have to add to hat onionman had to say. No, over here in the UK we still work on Valentine's Day and everything, so that detracts from it being a holiday, as I pointed out above. But in contrast to some of the other days that working people get to take off, I feel like valentine's Day should become one of them, you know? The day is about love, and I think that people should have the entire day off to let their loved ones know that they are loved and appreciated. Of course, if Valentine's Day was actually about love, then maybe we would have that. But it is just a way to draw money out of people on a commercial scale.
I think this is the new definition of holiday, dear! Because y'know. Otherwise, it's not really holy -- there was this Valentine saint/martyr guy but do we really think of him anymore? At least with Christmas and Easter, religious communities are still bound to it. And it's also not an off day. Though usually people do something a bit special to celebrate at school and at work. So maybe it counts.
I've never seen it as a holiday. But when I was younger, it was always nice to get a Valentine's card and a few treats. Even when my husband and I started dating we used to do something on the day, you know go out eating and swap small gifts. But then we both realised we held the same opinion that it's just another day that's become way too commercialised, and we both decided that we were not going to feed that beast by celebrating Valentines. Instead, we choose to celebrate our marriage and love everyday, go out eating when the fancy takes us, buy each other small gifts when we like etc
As with you all I never really considered Valentine's Day as a holiday. I learned later in life that it is a 'special' day observed in the history of 'love.' No, just kidding. But it is a special occasion as is birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. Any day that is not a national holiday.
Holiday literally means "wholly day" or whole day, and to me every day I'm alive is such a day. However, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many ways around world countries and by many peoples, but the main celebratory reason is for "romance." I think Valentine's day - specifically the date itself - had to do with the simple fact that winter is nearly over (for the regions of the north hemisphere of Earth) and that one should be grateful for those around still living and to keep loving each other's presence.
Honestly, I think that it shouldn't be a holiday at all, but it's a day that must be celebrated and a day to feel thankful with your loved ones, family and partners. At home, every Valentine's day, we conduct a very intimate dinner in our family in which we eat together and cook something special for us. For us, it's time to commemorate good relationship with the people special to us especially with our family and friends.
I only consider a special date to be a 'holiday' when I'm off work! As Valentine's Day is not a holiday for work and I have to work normally, to me it is only that - a special date! It is important to note it is only special, however, when you do have a date to share it with! If I'm single I'll go by Valentine's Day without even noticing what day it is!
Paris is a bit far away, unless you mean one of the various ones in the US. I suppose Paris, TN is the closest, but I'm not sure it would be considered romantic. The most romantic place for us is our horse camp, with no one but our horses and whatever wildlife is around.
I'm not big on holidays in general anymore but Valentine's Day is my least favorite. Even when I am in a relationship, I never saw the big deal. It's just another thing that is commercialized and I'm not into most candy or flowers.
I don't really see Valentine's day as as a holiday. I don't get the concept of Valentine's Day. A whole day to say I love you. Just say it in all of your actions every day. I think an anniversary celebration is more important than Valentine's Day.
I don't see Valentine's Day as a holiday. Its set to be a day when one shows their love to loved ones and/or lovers. I believe your love should be shown everyday. Its very disappointing to know everyone sees this as a good thing. Taking one day out of the year to show someone you care is awful. Your love should be shown year around. I personally take this time to binge on chocolate and strawberries. Being single on Valentine's Day isn't a good feeling. I wish there was a holiday for single adults.
