In October, I posted about my Halloween Humbugness. Now, it’s almost time for my other contender for least favorite holiday of the year – Valentine’s Day. Also called restaurant amateur hour. The day in which people who never darken the door of a restaurant other days of the year crowd every table in town with protestations of love and devotion.
Now hey, there’s nothing wrong with some protestations of love. But why now? Why does this day matter over others? If your loved one tells you and shows you that he or she loves you often and with gusto, then who gives a damn about February 14th?
Apparently, a lot of people and a lot of wallets.
According to the Greeting Card Association: Today, Valentine’s Day is the second most-popular card-sending occasion in the U.S. An estimated 160 million greeting cards will be bought for Valentine’s Day this year. That number doesn’t even include children’s packaged valentines – which add many millions more to the number of valentines purchased.
And then there’s this:
Via: Online MBA Blog
As I was writing this, my husband weighed in:
“Honey it’s not what we care about, it’s other people caring about if I care about you on Valentine’s Day. But, I’m sorry to tell you this, but I refuse to to only care about you on Valentine’s Day. So anyways, do I need to send flowers to your office or what?”
However, if you insist on a gift, here a some tips to make it meaningful from a Valentine’s Day interview with my favorite behavioral economist, Dan Ariely.
And finally, here’s the always awesome, always snarky The Oatmeal, telling you why Valentine’s Day haters like me are full of it.
Couldn’t agree with you more – and so does Roger. I’ve always suspected that any woman who puts pressure on her boyfriend or husband on this day is insecure in her relationship. Our son’s wife has many expectations on this day and I’ve seen him almost have a mental breakdown on doing the right thing. I suggested he buy her flowers, candy and take her out every Valentines Day and then he would just cover all bases. But after two years she complained that he “always did the same ole thing every year.” LOL