Out of the numerous beloved Valentine’s Day traditions, from special evening dates to flowers and chocolate, gift-giving stands as a landmark component of the national day of love. Celebrated each year on February 14, individuals and their loved ones typically opt to gift each other a present as a symbol of their love and affection. However, gifts chosen oftentimes lack sentiment — chosen simply because of their cheap price or obligation.
The point of a Valentine’s gift revolves around expressing appreciation with a special token, rather than an obligation simply because of expectations from the holiday. As the day rose in popularity — along with its legend and history — businesses realized they could easily profit off of the gifts that tended to sell out in mass numbers. Flowers, chocolate, teddy bears and other typical red-and-pink-with-hearts souvenirs eventually occupy their own store section in the days approaching the holiday. The annual billions of dollars spent became a vital money-making day for various companies, inciting the production of impersonal stuffed animals and boxes of cheap and mediocre-tasting treats.
Receiving any sort of treasure on Valentine’s Day feels like a sweet sentiment, pushing away numerous doubts of true thought into a gift. A plethora of people hold a mindset to not care what they receive, as popular and normalized gifts surrounding the holiday typically come with sweet-tasting chocolate and red roses. Although the gifts surely symbolize love and affection due to their trendiness and expectedness, they lack meaning and the handmade feel that partners often hope to achieve in a present.
“I think a lot of the common Valentine’s Day gifts are a good symbol for the day itself and the message behind it. No one will be upset at getting a teddy bear or box of chocolates. But, there is also a much bigger connection when giving a sentimental gift that shows you actually know someone,” senior Nicolas Fusaro said.
A tender and thoughtful gift does not come with a high price value or even a tangible expectation. Valid Valentine’s gifts can range anywhere from a perfect — and cost-friendly — night-in to a hand-crafted bunch of origami flowers.
A higher amount of money spent does not always constitute the best gift, especially if it does not possess meaning. The variation of generic store brand Valentine’s gifts can often lead to the impression of a last-minute thought or something that should take safety on the standard. Gifts that truly represent a genuine relationship between significant others showcase attention within a relationship, to the minor details and unique personalities.
“I feel as though, in recent years, Valentine’s [Day] gifts have become significantly more generalized. Nowadays, the things that people gift to their significant others have gone from personalized gifts to show their love to teddy bears and chocolates. To those on the receiving end, these standard gifts may come off as their significant other doesn’t feel like putting more effort into these gifts. It creates a stronger connection in a relationship to give a heartfelt gift or message to that special person,” magnet senior Olivia Doucette said.
As store brands aim to profit off a holiday that once represented special bonds between two people, true Valentine’s Day connoisseurs perfect their ideal gifts. Whether purchased, handmade, sung or written, a gift that represents feeling without conforming to the swallows of consumerism. This Valentine’s, The Chant advises readers to craft their partners’ gifts carefully, and place consideration and thought into each decision.
