Practicality and necessity of Valentines' day

By: Eva

Just a day? Why not make it every day?

Westlife once sang,

” It's little things that only I know

Those are the things that make you mine

And it's like flying without wings

‘Cause you're my special thing”

On February 14, people tend to prove the meaning of these words by trying to cherish their loved ones on this particular day. This is when people would ridiculously spend on lavish things like expensive jewelry, grand dinners, roses by the dozens, chocolates, as well as cakes baked and molded in heart shapes and drenched in pink or red icing topped with sugared confetti to help spread the atmosphere. However, people to seem to question the degree of necessity and practicality of celebrating Valentine’s Day.

For those straightforward or narcissists, this day is just another ordinary day. But for the romantics, it’s necessary. Out of curiosity, we managed to interview people belonging to both generation X and Y asking their opinions about the necessity and practicality of celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Generation X, or people born between the years 1961 to 1981 had a lot of mixed opinions about the day itself. Karen, age 47, said it was necessary because it was nice to get special treatment on a day. Izwan, age 40, said that he would plan a getaway every year from the city just so he could spend some quality time with his wife as he seldom sees her every day. Eric, age 30, said that this day was unnecessary because why show your appreciation towards your loved ones on one day when you can do it every day?  He also said instead of spending on lavish gifts, those cash could be used to buy on stocks or invest in properties anyways. At least by that way, you’d gain something. Lim, 37 said it was one of the many ways shops take advantage of people by simply hiking up the prices of almost everything on that special day. For what it’s worth, it’s better to treat every day Valentine’s Day because it’s way cheaper and more meaningful that day. Love also can be celebrated, regardless of the time of the day or year. 

    As for Generation Y, or babies born between the years 1982-2002, both genders seem to have different opinions about this day. Naim, 25, said that if you truly love someone, why the need of Valentine’s Day? He feels that if the relationship is strong enough, every moment of your lifetime should be made a Valentine’s Day. He also said that this date is too commercialized as it makes people want to spend and buy more. Most of the guys said that celebrating Valentine’s Day was not necessary and it is much commercialized, so people tend to make a fuss out of it.

For the girls, it’s not necessary or practical to celebrate this day. For the girls, they differ slightly. This is because it’s not every day where a gal can get a load of attention, bouquets of flowers or even candlelight dinners from their other half. According to Tina, she thinks it’s not necessary to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but the day itself allows couples to show their appreciation towards each other because nowadays not everyone can see their loved ones due to hectic lifestyles. She also sees Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to give exclusive attention to them as well. Angeline, 21, feels that it’s necessary to celebrate Valentine’s Day because it gives her an opportunity to spend quality time with her boyfriend, who’s studying overseas and only comes back once a year. It also allows her to pamper him with gifts and likewise. With the existence of this wonderful day, it allows people to utilize this day to show their appreciation towards their loved ones.

The only common thing that both genders can agree on is anticipating and guessing on the types of gifts they would receive from their other half.

All in all, each generation has their own say about Valentine’s Day because each generation is raised differently. Generation X was raised in a more collectivist environment, whereas generation Y was raised in a more individualistic environment. Both these environments have influenced the thoughts of Valentine’s Day greatly. In the end, what matters the most is the love and affection we have towards our loved ones. So, let us cherish the love we have.