Let me preface this by saying that I am single this Valentine’s Day. So, yes, you could take this article as a bitter girl’s disdain for the holiday. Humor me and hear me out. As a sea of red and pink hearts are inevitably flooding my vision, I can’t help but think of all the reasons why I dislike Valentines Day. I’d like to think that even if I did have a significant other, I’d feel the same way.

It is a commercialized holiday

In every way, shape, and form, Valentines Day is an over-hyped, over-commercialized way to make people feel terrible about themselves. No doubt that it is a dream for greeting card companies, chocolatiers and jewelers, because of the insane profit they make off this day. Not receiving one or any of these items leaves people feeling alone. These companies do their best to make sure receiving a gift on Valentines Day validates people’s worth and confirms that yes, they are loved, which is ridiculous.

Impossible expectations

I feel bad for men of Valentine’s Day. They are expected to completely “woo” their girlfriend every February 14th with flowers at work, a card with the perfect words inside, etc. I’m not saying it’s easy for girls either. Trying to find the perfect gift for a boyfriend can be incredibly difficult, but it seems that girls care more about Valentines Day and the hopefulness that it will be perfect. Because of this, a lot of pressure is placed on the guy. In the end, everyone ends up comparing their Valentine’s Day plans and gifts with other couples, which only leads to unnecessary disappointment when they believe theirs doesn’t match up.

Just one day?

Am I the only one that feels like Valentines Day is kind of cheap? I mean, everyone across the country is essentially doing the same things: exchanging the same types of gifts, going to a romantic dinner, etc. It feels so unoriginal to me, and almost kind of sad. Sure, it’s nice to have one universal day where love and romance is recognized, but it’s so calculated. I’d like to be surprised with chocolates or flowers on some random day. Knowing that they are coming takes all the spontaneity and romance out of it, and it doesn’t really make me feel special at all.

Greeting cards

I hate greeting cards. The pre-written, cheesy words make me cringe every time. I understand buying a greeting card for someone you’re not particularly close with or are unsure of the right words to say. However, if you’re intimate with someone and then you buy them a greeting card to express how you feel? That’s just insulting to me. Using someone else’s words to show how you care seems like a cop-out, and doesn’t really mean anything important.

Exclusivity

Valentine’s Day is mean. It leaves out so many people! Obviously, it’s specific to couples, but there are people in my life that I’m not romantically involved with, but I know love me, like parents or friends. Every Valentine’s Day since I can remember, my dad has given my sister and I a small gift. It’s the sweetest gesture that says he loves us, and I hope he never stops. It is the only redeeming quality that this holiday has to offer.

Kim Giordano can be reached for comment at [email protected].