Three married couples tell us why they don’t celebrate Valentine’s day and what they do instead.
Valentine’s day can be quite the stressful day for some couples. Expectations and disappointment can sometimes be the result of this commercial holiday. So, why do we really celebrate the day in the first place?
The origins
The holiday may have originated from a Catholic saint called Valentine. He secretly married couples at a time when young men weren’t allowed to marry. However, the month of February is associated with many other romantic legends, some pagan, other Christian. It seems, then, that people have been celebrating Valentine greetings since the Middle Ages.
In the United Kingdom, Valentine’s day became popular in the 17th century. People started exchanging romantic cards by the 1900s. However, Americans have been exchanging hand-made cards since the 17th century. Now a highly commercialised holiday, buying expensive jewellery and gourmet chocolate for your loved one is normal.
Nonetheless, many people have decided to stop taking part in the romantic celebration. We asked three couples to tell us why they don’t celebrate Valentine’s day.
Here’s what they had to say…
Two holidays a year is enough
H.A.M, from Mauritius says: “I have been in nearly 23 years of marriage and have not celebrated Valentine’s day once. My husband does not believe in man-made celebrations. He says that you can celebrate anytime. On the plus side, I get two amazing holidays every year. Not complaining.”
Imposing society
“I would be annoyed that my other half would feel obliged to spend a huge amount of money on that day just to get away from any trouble. Let’s be honest: most men are celebrating Valentines’ day as they are scared about their wives/partners getting upset if they skip it. On top of that, the prices are ridiculously increased (flowers/restaurants etc). Celebrated love should be about the little attention all year round when someone feels it, rather than on a specific day imposed by society,” says Marilyn V, from the UK.
Dinner with friends
Aveen H, from Switzerland, shares what she will be doing on the 14th: “Myself and my husband have never really celebrated St Valentines. For us, it was just a pure commercial thing. Something for the shops and restaurants to make more money and for young couples who have just met.”
Aveen continues: “Making that special effort to tell someone how much you love them on a particular day that has been commercialised to the hilt just doesn’t seem to cut it with us. In saying that, this year, we are going out for dinner. But, it’s not just the two of us, we are six mates who are going out for a Valentine’s dinner prepared by a friend who is passionate about food and flavour. So, our Valentine’s night is to enjoy great food, prepared by a friend with friends … Pure love all around!”
