By Romy Haddad

Every year on the 14th of February, the world turns pink and red as shops fill with heart-shaped chocolates, flower prices double overnight, and social media becomes a highlight reel of grand romantic gestures. Valentine’s Day is often described as a celebration of love, but with the money spent on dates and gifts, many believe it has become another consumerist holiday. 

The history behind Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day actually has historical and religious origins. It is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived during the Roman Empire. Valentine was a priest who performed marriages in secret. At the time, Emperor Claudius II had banned young men from marrying, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied this order, continuing to unite couples because he believed love and commitment were important. Eventually, he was arrested and executed on February 14th. Because of this, Saint Valentine became associated with romance, devotion, and sacrifice. 

However, nowadays, Valentine’s Day has become centered around gifts and marketing, losing the meaning behind the holiday as businesses promote expensive gifts as the “right” way to show love, turning affection into something that can be bought. From luxury jewellery to extravagant dinner dates, there is often an unspoken pressure that love must be proven through money.

Love beyond romance 

Another criticism is that Valentine’s Day focuses mostly on romantic love, which can exclude those who are single or not interested in relationships. Love, however, is much broader than that. It includes friendships, family bonds, and self-love. This is where the idea of Galentine’s Day has become increasingly popular; Galentine’s Day, usually celebrated on February 13th, is a day dedicated to friendship. Whether it’s exchanging small gifts, having a movie night, or simply spending time together, Galentine’s reminds us that love comes in many shapes and sizes, and friendship is one of the most important forms of love. Therefore, Galentine’s Day has actually emphasized the real meaning of love more than Valentine’s Day. 

So… love or consumerism?

Valentine’s Day sits somewhere in between. For some, it is a meaningful celebration of love. For others, it has become overly commercialised and pressured by spending. Perhaps the best way forward is to reclaim the day: focusing less on expensive gifts and more on genuine connection – whether that’s with a partner, friends, or even yourself. In the end, love isn’t something that should depend on price tags.