8 Reasons Valentine’s Day is NOT Overrated

I would go as far to say – of the mainstream holidays – Valentine’s Day might be the mosted disliked of all. We all have that handful of friends that hate February 14th. Buying red and pink flowers, candy, and stuffed animals = stupid. Showing a loved one extra attention on this day is a waste of time and money. We’ve all been friends with someone who posts on Instagram or Facebook about how Valentine’s Day is a sad reminder of their relationship status “#ForeverAlone”.

Maybe these 8 reasons will convince you that Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad after all.

Candy – I don’t know about you, but I have a sweet tooth that will not deny a holiday that promotes the consumption of candy. Those seasonal, little chalky hearts emblazoned by red letters “be true”, “hug me”, and “love you” actually aren’t my favorite (I’ll still eat them though). Chocolate is my Feb. 14th candy of choice. Scientifically speaking, chocolate triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in our bodies. Need a better reason to eat it?
Love – Love is a positive emotion that is applicable to any relationship. You can love your friends, family members, pets, pet rock…you don’t have to be romantically in love to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Food – Any good holiday has some type of food associated with it. I have never gone out to eat on Feb.14 because I can only imagine how crowded the restaurant scene would be, but if today gives you an excuse to treat yourself, go out to eat with your boo, or meet up for dinner with your family, why not?!
Red – The color red is associated with many positive emotions: energy, power, passion, desire, love, oxygenated blood (science nerd alert). Even marketers think the color red is appealing to their consumers. Target, Netflix, McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, and Coca-Cola all use red in their logos.
St. Valentine – This person has some pretty cool history. There are a few rumors about who Valentine really was. Stories suggest Valentine performed marriages for young lovers in secret after a Roman emperor outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine could have also been an aid to Christians facing harsh conditions in Roman prisons. Some claim that Valentine’s Day may have also had pagan origins.
Flowers – Flowers have psychological benefits that enhance your mental state due to their delightful aromas and beauty.
Candy grams – Is that what they are called? I’m 24 now, but one thing I fondly remember from my childhood is making candy grams for my classmates and recieving them as well. Those little foil cards with cute cartoon characters never fail(ed) to elicit a smile.
Sales – You can’t beat the post-Valentine’s Day Sales! 50-75% off candy, stuffed animals, and maybe even flowers. Who doesn’t like saving money and getting treats?