I'm a hopeless romantic, yet, I have no reason to celebrate Valentine's Day. In the celebration of the over-commercialized holiday, here are two columns I've written in the past pertaining to love. One has to do with why today is so overrated, and the second is turning in my man card to proclaim my celebrity crush. Enjoy. The first one you can also read here.
Women always seem to find Valentine’s Day as a way for us guys to buy flowers, chocolates, and/or jewelry. It’s supposedly written somewhere that gifts are supposed to be a token of our affection and appreciation toward our significant other. There’s something wrong with this.
Where in the “rulebook of love” does it say that a guy (or a girl) has to splurge money to show love? It may be in fine print, but let’s just delete it altogether.
Sure, the thought of giving is always a gesture which all should practice, but there are other ways in which a lover in a relationship can show affection.
In a study done by two University of Georgia professors in 2008 entitled, “A Holiday Loved and Loathed: A Consumer Perspective of Valentine’s Day,” Angeline Close and Greg Zinkhan argues that materialism of this holiday has gone too far.
They found that marketing this holiday to those who are in a romantic relationship have gone too far.
Those who advertise on Valentine’s Day like to make it known that without purchasing a diamond ring or a dozen of flowers which will die, the relationship has a chance of dying. Without going out and pampering your better half, the marketing gurus high above the chain make those who don’t go out and buy something feel obsolete.
Does the phrase “I love you” not work anymore? Is it not enough just to scheme out an inexpensive date night consisting of just maybe dinner and a bottle of wine (if you’re of age)? Whose idea was it that buying a $3,000 ring is the choice of giving?
Saying “I love you” should be enough. To all the men out there, take the ladyfriend to a nice restaurant (of her choice, of course) and maybe get her a SMALL gift. To the ladies, just appreciate what your better half gets you. I’m sure he worked hard and went out of his comfort zone to Chocolate is a safe bet.
In the survey done by the Univ. of Georgia, it even states that physical affection can go a long way. And of course, it doesn’t cost a thing to ask for a kiss or for a little bit more around the bases. Physical affection can go a little ways, but from experience, it doesn’t complete the entire package. Go a little more beyond than that, fellas. Sure, getting her to bed may give you a happy ending to a good holiday, but back up and show some definite affection by doing it with other actions first.
On that same token, why should Valentine’s Day be the only day that guys (and gals, too) are permitted to show their love? It goes back to the marketing thing again.
Christmas and Valentine’s Day are the two worst holidays in which showing appreciation is shown. Leading up to each holiday, commercials are run on television and print advertising things that men and women assumingly want. It’s just a way for the money flow to increase and for the economy to show that it’s not as stagnant as the weather we’ve been having lately.
I understand that for the economy to be flowing smoothly, people need to go out and purchase something. Even I can interpret that. However, it does not mean that spending an arm and a leg
There are 364 other days in which love can be shown, and in very similar ways. Show it through small but meaningful gestures. Maybe it’s taking your partner to a concert, or cleaning each others’ room or even sending a little message showing that you still care for one another. It’s easy to show affection every day of the year. Not just on February 14.
Valentine’s Day is just an overrated holiday. It’s one that boosts the economy, sure, but last I checked, money doesn’t buy love.
(Now here's column #2.) This is one I wrote back in February 2009 as part of the Blue & White staff at Montezuma.
Everybody has had a crush.
Whether it was realistic or fantasy, you idolize and admire somebody of the opposite gender. Maybe it was watching countless videos of him or her, studying their smallest moves or even memorizing every small little fact about your crush.
My current crush isn’t that heavy, because I’m too busy to worry about what this person’s certain favorite color is.
Anyway, Taylor Swift is so gorgeous!!
She is amazingly talented and the best thing, we are the same age (almost)! Swift is one of those young girls that can be an inspiration to any youth that has a dream. This Pennsylvania girl went all the way to Nashville to take her dream head on. Most young girls’ dreams get shot down by something else that runs into their life. Swift ran over any speed bump that came her way and now she’s writing any song that can put any boy into fear.
That’s what I love about Taylor, too. She has a way to write something that teens can relate to. I try to relate my community into my writing so I think two good writers can make powerful songs, columns, or whatever. She has a high sense of knowing what she wants, which is what all young teens should have, no matter if they’re a singer, engineer, or nurse.
With knowing what she wants brings much success along with it. She won the Horizon Award her “rookie” year and has skyrocketed since she sang about how Tim McGraw reminded her of her first love. That’s the kind of girl that I want. Through hard work, determination and a little bit of luck, success can bring much in life. She’s only 19. She has lots to look forward to as she belts the high notes.
Waking up to reality gives me a sense Taylor Swift may not be realistic, but she has shown me what kind of girl I want for later in life. I want a girl that has a dream, wants to pursue it and has a desire to be successful. Granted, there are other morals that are on my “list,” but with the girl I proudly love right now, I think I’m on the right track.
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