What is Valentine’s Day, you might ask? One would assume that it is a day for love, where your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend buy romantic gifts or plan a getaway vacation. But the holiday does not have to be about romance; not everyone has a romantic partner during Valentine’s Day. You can still give a rose or chocolates to a friend, cousin, family members and parents to show that you care and love them. It does not have to be anything romantic.
I usually spend Valentine’s Day as if it’s a normal day. I do not buy small tokens like roses or gifts unless I am in the mood to do so. However, for this year, I bought a single rose for my mother, chocolates for a friend and some Pokémon trading cards for another friend. What counts is that you care or remember Valentine’s Day. If you are on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media, you can post a message showing that you remembered the day.
The one thing that I don’t like about Valentine’s Day are themes. For example, I went on a cruise this year during Valentine’s Day. Someone was dressed as a heart going around for couples to take a photo with him by a professional photographer. Since I did not have anyone with me, I did not take the photo (you aren’t obligated to take one) even though I wanted to do it. It would just been weird and pointless if I had taken the photo. If there is a Valentine’s Day theme and you are alone, you can still have fun. I could have taken the photo if I wanted too, but I decided against it. So just have fun and go with the flow.
How did Valentine’s Day start? According to the article, “The Dark Origins of Valentine’s Day,” Valentine’s Day may have started in ancient Rome. There are a few theories:
- From February 13–15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, and then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain.
- Emperor Claudius II executed two men—both named Valentine—on February 14 of different years in the third century AD.
- Pope Gelasius I combined Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals in the fifth century.
- Normans celebrated Galatin’s Day; Galatin meant “lover of women.”
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Valentine’s Day lost its association with violence. Now, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with gifts and love.
Despite the holiday’s romantic connotations, participation in the holiday does not have to be amorous. There are so many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day; it is up to you on how you observe the holiday. You don’t need a romantic partner during the holiday. You can give inexpensive gifts to a friend or expensive gifts to a romantic partner, and thank them for being a part of your life.
Websites used in the article:
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
Photo Credit – Frani Wyner
