As January ends, couples must ask themselves a very important question, “What would make a perfect gift for my adoring partner?.” They ask themselves this because Valentine’s Day is creeping right around the corner, but have these consumers ever considered that constructing a homemade present or using their own words might be more beneficial than spending money buying some corporate junk?
Stop yourself and think for a moment about how retailers like Walmart and Target take advantage of this holiday of love, encouraging you to spend at least $50 or more on items that often become forgotten within the week after Valentine’s Day. Does this genuinely improve your relationship?
Take another moment to reflect on how much you spent on Valentine’s Day and what you could have bought instead. Consider this: with those funds, you could invest in a new flatscreen TV that offers plenty of hours of enjoyment for both you and your loved one, helping create memories that include everything from sad to comedic stories. It’s time to reconsider wasting money on short-term gifts and invest in long-term items.
Friendship gifts are not discussed much during Valentine’s Day, but these gifts are given to friends instead of partners. Instead of purchasing a themed gift during this upcoming holiday, why not go on a road trip or out to eat with friends? Doing so would improve friendships and motivate other friend groups to stop spending money on themed gifts and enjoy the outdoors or some food.
Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about happy couples and friendships. This holiday shames those who don’t have a loved one or a friend. Picture this: an individual drives to Walmart to purchase a frozen dinner for one, but instead of heading towards the frozen foods section, they accidentally make their way to the Valentine’s aisle and stare with a depressing look on their face at all the overstuffed bears lining the shelf; almost forgetting their frozen meal. They are now in despair because of corporate greed, which showcases the holiday festivities right as they enter the store.
Some claim Valentine’s Day started as a Christian feast honoring a martyr named Valentine. By the 14th and 15th centuries, the feasting had ended and transitioned into romance. Soon came the 18th century, when giving loved ones flowers or cards known as Valentines became the norm.
Once businesses caught wind of Valentine’s Day in the mid-1800s, they began commercializing it. The commercialization of this celebration spread like a virus, and now you, the consumer, fall for it. That was the beginning of the end of homemade Valentine’s Day crafts.
Retailers use happy relationships to sell meaningless things that could have been made in a cheaper, more meaningful way. Ask yourself what is better this Valentine’s Day: a homemade card with hand-picked flowers or fake flowers with a $4 card.
Corporate greed is a part of daily life, and people are used to the control businesses hold. This greed is evil and should end, which is why I believe if we all went back to creating things instead of wasting money, we could have happier Valentine’s Days. So, I challenge you to break out the scissors and glue and create your own gifts this year.
