What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase Valentine’s Day? I bet most people think of chocolates, candies, teddy bears, flowers, hotels, diamond rings, and fancy restaurant reservations.

But, if you pay close attention, you will see these are all elegant gifts that can be easily purchased if one has the resources; they don’t require much of an effort to show affection, or love towards one another.

In reality, Valentine’s Day is a day where couples celebrate by participating in gift exchanges with one another, and plan elaborate “dates” to show how much they care for each other.

While this is very romantic, it leaves me wondering: Is there more to February 14^th than how much people should spend on another to show how much they care?

Most individuals concur that Valentine’s Day is a commercialist holiday invented by big corporations to cash in on the imagery of love. I highly doubt they care about spreading love. Otherwise everything would be free to give to our significant other.

For others, it could also mean being single, and left out. Perhaps feeling depressed and lonely and often times feeling overwhelmed by their environment and social media breaking their fragile hearts with post from their followers living it up, while breaking their wallets.

Now for the single folks who are feeling down. I want you to realize that love comes from within. If you don’t have someone to spend it with, do something you like to do. Treat yourself to something that will make you thrive, as opposed to pounding a bottle of booze and listening to the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. Go out with friends, socialize, and keep in mind that everything comes in time.

There have been times where I’ve heard people ranting to others about their Valentines’ in the past years, and their conversations mostly consisted of them being ungrateful towards their partners.  Many of times it was because they didn’t get that diamond ring from that commercial, or a huge teddy bear with a big heart on it, and that’s when I think to myself; are people really that greedy? Is it even love, or are people being materialistic?

I think if a person really loves someone, then they shouldn’t spend it on junk just to try to impress their loved ones. I think it should come from the heart, and what I mean by that is doing special things for them, like taking a walk on the beach holding hands, a walk in the park, a movie at home alone, or at a movie theater.

Try being creative with ideas. I think a simple “I love you” would suffice.

And to those of you who love to brag, keep in mind bragging might offend others. Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day. Bottom line, don’t be disrespectful and shove it down people throats. It’s always good to have respect and consideration.

In my opinion I believe Valentine’s Day should be celebrated everyday, and not celebrated on a particular date.

I think people should be more considerate towards the people that don’t have someone. Not necessarily asking them out on a date or buying them expensive things, but instead do nice things for them, like back in elementary school or even middle school when people would write inspirational letters to everyone in the class or get really crafty and write little poems with hearts on them. Little things like that really can make a persons day.

As a matter of fact, a few days ago, a fellow classmate came in with donuts saying “happy Valentine’s Day” to everyone and also brought donuts for the class. I thought that was thoughtful. I think it’s always cool to do good deeds for others.

I don’t want to offend anybody that celebrates Valentine’s Day with their loved ones, but I’m just not buying it. Pun intended.