By Erin Spence Staff Writer

After the buzz of the new year winds down, we begin to see symbols of the next holiday virtually everywhere. Colors of pink and red, boxes of chocolate, tacky jewelry, stuffed animals, and of course, heart shaped everything. No matter where you are, it is difficult to completely avoid the lovey-dovey holiday that is Valentine’s Day. Although it is widely celebrated throughout the world, people have varying opinions about the holiday.

It may sound like a holiday of happiness and love, but the moment Valentine’s Day begins to be advertised it can also bring a lot of stress. It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is a very commercialized holiday. The endless ads for jewelry, flowers and chocolates try to lure people in to spend money in attempt to prove their love. It’s no wonder that this brings feelings of anxiety, and the pressure to buy a perfect gift or even to just celebrate the holiday is ever-present.

Much of this stress comes from simply being in a relationship. Being on a college campus, I caught up with two students who recounted their experiences while in a relationship, and how their feelings towards Valentine’s Day shifted during their time being single. “Since I’m single, this year I am planning on going out with some other single teammates. We’re going to a Chinese buffet”, recounts Chrissie MacLeod ’22, of her experience with Valentine’s Day. She noted that her idea of the holiday has changed from stressful gift exchanges to fun nights out with friends.

While in a relationship, MacLeod stated that she mostly saw Valentine’s Day as “a competition to see who can get a better gift.” She said, “I also feel like I had pressure from myself to give a really good gift, to try to be a good girlfriend and be like, “Surprise! Look what I got you!”

Of course, there is always the option to not celebrate the romantic day if it’s not your style. However, MacLeod explains that there is somewhat of a social push to celebrate: “I feel like because of society you have to do something. Being single and alone without your friends on Valentine’s Day is just very awkward.

Austin Lilley, ’22, has also learned to change his feelings of stress towards the holiday to a celebration of friendship during his time being single. Like MacLeod, Lilley emphasized the stress surrounding the process of giving gifts while in a relationship. “The first year I really celebrated Valentine’s Day, I was actually really stressed out because I didn’t want to get something that didn’t match my girlfriend’s gift. I definitely felt pressure because we were a new couple and I remember my friends would ask a lot of questions about what I was going to get her. It was uncomfortable leading up to Valentine’s Day, because we each knew we were getting each other something, but I didn’t want her to outdo me or go too far.”

Now that Austin is single, he has a much more relaxed view of the holiday. “Being single on Valentine’s Day, now it’s more about good friendships, teammates, and people I’m close with. I kind of just view it as an excuse to joke with my friends and get them chocolates or send them funny stuff.”

However, Austin did state that once he finds the right girl, his Valentine’s Day feelings may once again become romantic. “I think given the right relationship, or if you’re with a girl you truly love or think you’re going to marry, Valentine’s Day will become a more emotional and special day for both of you.”