Valentine's Hate

There's a lot of opinion regarding Valentine's Day being bandied about everywhere I look: the TV, the newspaper, magazines, blogs, Twitter.  Hell, even the radio hosts relish in sharing their thoughts.  There are many reasons trotted out to defend the intense dislike of V-Day.  Some cite the blatant commercialization of the money-driven "holiday."  Others, single or attached, bash the mushiness of the whole shebang.  Still others bemoan the notion that they are supposed to show their love and/or appreciation on one day: why not EVERY day, they cry. 

All of these are valid points.  Valentine's Day is a consumer-driven event that is shoved down our throats and thrown in our faces every time we turn around for a minimum of two weeks leading up to the dreaded day -- by the time the 14th actually rolls around, who isn't sick to death of red hearts and pink cherubs?  But someone is buying into this shit, otherwise how on earth would Hallmark be able to justify those $8 (yes, EIGHT) cards?  Someone somewhere is buying that $8 card.  Granted, it's probably that poor guy who completely forgot and is standing in the card aisle of the grocery store at 11:47pm on the 13th, frantically scanning for something, ANYTHING, that says "I love you" in a way that isn't going to net him an all expenses paid stay on the couch.

As the (until recently) perpetually single gal, I can sympathize with feeling of nausea when faced with the overwhelming schmoopy schmaltz of the occasion.  What better way to drive home the point that hey! you're SINGLE and ALONE and have NO ONE! than pink hearts and yellow moons and green clovers?  Oops.  Wrong cereal.  Even couples protest the "forced" affection: why do we place so much importance on one day simply because the calendar dictates we do so? 

And don't even get me started on the expectation.  I had a small taste of what the "other side" goes through when Chebbar looked at me three weeks ago (three! WEEKS ago!) and said, "I made the reservations and did the planning for Valentine's Day last year: where are YOU taking ME this year?"  Last year, being our first Valentine's Day together (added to the fact that he had been laid off in November and wasn't able to give me a gift for Christmas), involved a very fancy meal and rather expensive gifts (and I had used up all my good ideas two months ago for Christmas, people!).  In that split second, the blood drained from my face, my fingers went numb, and my mouth was dryer than the Sahara Desert in July: where do I take him? will it live up to last year? how soon do I make reservations? same restaurant or a new one? gifts? no gifts? GAH!  I feel for every single male on the planet in any type of relationship at this time of year, because heaven help you if your plans don't live up to her expectations -- hell hath no fury like a woman let down on Valentine's Day.

(I made reservations two weeks ago at a newer restaurant we haven't tried.  We'll be exchanging cards and might catch a movie after dinner.)

But who is to say that we have to fall into the V-Day Trap?  It may be corny, but, considering the tough times many of us are facing with the state of the economy, why not drag out the construction paper and felt pens and make your own Valentine?  And if you don't have kids/craft supplies, there are these nifty stores where everything is sold for a buck.  You could go together to pick stuff out!  Make a day of it!  Or, well, 15 minutes.  Whatevs.  If you're not generally the cook, make dinner at home (says the girl with the reservations -- heh).  I don't care if you make me hot dogs: food tastes excellent simply by default if I don't have to cook it (and if I don't have to clean it, too? you might be getting "dessert" *wink wink*).  If you're single and secure enough, channel your inner dork, go buy a box of 32 Valentines, and give them to your coworkers or friends.  Hell, do it if you're NOT single.  It's fun.  And unexpected.  And you'll surely brighten someone's day.  (However, from what I'm reading around the webiverse, it's slim pickings the night before.)  Invite some pals over for a potluck dinner and a night of board games.  Then, turn this into a monthly "date" night.

It doesn't have to be flashy or extravagent or expensive.  It's about gestures from the heart and showing people you appreciate them.  Yes, we should strive to do this every day, but if it takes a little heart on the calendar in February (a rather craptastic month otherwise) to remind us, what is the harm? 

All that being said, I have to admit that I *feel* like I should hate Valentine's Day, or that I'm going to be scoffed at because I'm looking forward to our "date."  What about you?  Do you hate it?  Do you celebrate it?  What do (or don't) you do?