2008 Woodie Awards
Show some love (or like) this Valentine's Day
Is this 'holiday' about spending money or emotional meaning?
Anne Dunne
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Candy, chocolates, flowers and lots of red everywhere.
"Love" is in the air... when it comes to Valentine's Day.
But is this "heartfelt holiday" one to celebrate or a media savvy way to play upon human emotions?
Hearts are torn at Sacred Heart about Feb. 14.
"All holidays, like so many other aspects of our life, are contaminated by commercialism, but we don't have to let that spoil things for us," said Professor Sid Gottlieb, Media Studies Department. "I'm a great believer in celebrating all holidays, making them special days, and finding ways to enjoy them.
"I'm good at making up holidays of my own as well, though they don't usually get celebrated by everybody else."
Students, like Jenine Kleeman, junior, Manalapan, N.J. agree with Gottlieb's opinion celebrating holidays, specifically Valentine's Day.
"Although I'm a huge fan of Valentine's Day, and it probably does originate from the whole 'Saint Valentine,' it seems to have become more of a marketing scheme," said Kleeman. "But then again, so has Christmas. All holidays have just become a way for our economy to profit through sales of ornaments, cards, food, toys, etc. But I still love Valentine's Day."
Valentine's Day does not just have to be about being in love.
"[Valentine's] Day is just a fun day to celebrate with some one you care about," said Colleen Deegan, junior, Massapequa, N.Y. "It is also a good way for card/candy companies to make some money."
But is spending money just what next weeks holiday is all about?
Valentine's Day can be your chance to show someone you care, with or without money.
"I think that the only bad parts of holidays are when they are used to make us feel guilty, or obligated to do certain things or act in certain ways," said Gottlieb. " Holidays should be times of relief and release.
"I'm not sure that for this coming Valentine's Day I'll be elbowing anybody out of the way in the line for chocolate or jewelry or cards that tell me what I should be thinking or saying. But I may find the time to get a rose or a bunch of flowers and see if I can write a few lines of my own to my special Valentine and I'll try to remember to say them even on days that are not on the calendar."
"Love" is in the air... when it comes to Valentine's Day.
But is this "heartfelt holiday" one to celebrate or a media savvy way to play upon human emotions?
Hearts are torn at Sacred Heart about Feb. 14.
"All holidays, like so many other aspects of our life, are contaminated by commercialism, but we don't have to let that spoil things for us," said Professor Sid Gottlieb, Media Studies Department. "I'm a great believer in celebrating all holidays, making them special days, and finding ways to enjoy them.
"I'm good at making up holidays of my own as well, though they don't usually get celebrated by everybody else."
Students, like Jenine Kleeman, junior, Manalapan, N.J. agree with Gottlieb's opinion celebrating holidays, specifically Valentine's Day.
"Although I'm a huge fan of Valentine's Day, and it probably does originate from the whole 'Saint Valentine,' it seems to have become more of a marketing scheme," said Kleeman. "But then again, so has Christmas. All holidays have just become a way for our economy to profit through sales of ornaments, cards, food, toys, etc. But I still love Valentine's Day."
Valentine's Day does not just have to be about being in love.
"[Valentine's] Day is just a fun day to celebrate with some one you care about," said Colleen Deegan, junior, Massapequa, N.Y. "It is also a good way for card/candy companies to make some money."
But is spending money just what next weeks holiday is all about?
Valentine's Day can be your chance to show someone you care, with or without money.
"I think that the only bad parts of holidays are when they are used to make us feel guilty, or obligated to do certain things or act in certain ways," said Gottlieb. " Holidays should be times of relief and release.
"I'm not sure that for this coming Valentine's Day I'll be elbowing anybody out of the way in the line for chocolate or jewelry or cards that tell me what I should be thinking or saying. But I may find the time to get a rose or a bunch of flowers and see if I can write a few lines of my own to my special Valentine and I'll try to remember to say them even on days that are not on the calendar."
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