2008 Woodie Awards
Cupid's true love brought to you by Hallmark
Theresa Vosilla
Issue date: 2/9/06 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
Valentine's day is sometimes considered to be a somewhat controversial day because some feel that it is an overrated Hallmark holiday, while others believe that it is a day to express your true love for someone special.
"Personally I think that Valentine's Day is simply just a great way for companies to make money off of people. Every year there are more and more things for people to buy in the stores, it is not a simple day to show love any more," said Matthew Cassamisine, junior, Manhattan, N.Y.
For those that are not familiar with the history behind Valentine's Day, here's a quick overview of the common belief about the day, although it is debated by many.
According to a website at, theholidayspot.com, Valentine was a priest in third century Rome. The emperor of the time decided single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine felt this was unfair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When the emperor found out about Valentine, he had him put to death.
Saint Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and as time progressed Feb. 14 became the day for people to exchange messages of love by giving simple gifts such as poems and flowers.
The celebration of Valentine's Day in the U.S began in the 1700's and the commercialized greeting cards as we now know became widely available and popular in the 1840's.
"Why should there be only one specific day to go all out and get flowers and chocolate and stuffed animals for the person you love? I think that when you really love someone you don't need a card company telling you what day you should be extra sweet and nice to your lover. Love is not materialistic, it is a nice gesture, but Valentine's Day is definitely a money making excuse," said, Melissa Doelger, junior, Brooklyn, N.Y.
For those who believe that Valentine's Day is a day to express your love for your significant other, do not worry you're not alone. According to the U.S Census Bureau the number of Valentine's Day cards exchanged annually is 192 million, making it the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion finishing up only behind Christmas.