Valentine Scrooge

If there’s such a thing as a Valentine’s Day Scrooge, I fit the bill.  I’ve never been a fan of the holiday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m usually all over any excuse for chocolate. What I don’t like about the holiday is the pressure people feel about it. I have met people who freak out if they have no one to send them flowers, candy or a sentimental card. No one to wine and dine them, so to speak. Unrealistic expectations abound around this holiday. It’s just a day on the calendar but the media, restaurants and even the grocery stores place such a big emphasis on it- and I know the motive there is for the almighty dollar- the people who are alone feel it deeper at this time of year. I even read once about the number of suicides being larger at this time of year. How sad is that?

The idea that one day a year is the one to really show your love seems tragic to me. Why can’t we show the people we love that we love them every day? Not just on February 14. 

Another thing that burns me up about the holiday is the price of flowers. You can buy a dozen cash and carry roses all year long here for $19.99 except for the week of Valentine’s Day when the least expensive dozen roses is $49.99.  So, what’s up with that?? Again, the expectation is that a man will feel guilted into spending $30.00 more for the same product one week that he could get for less a few days later. And he’ll do it because that woman expects it.

In my house, we buy some chocolate at Walgreen’s and that’s it. Sometimes, the spouse orders a big cookie. But no card, no flowers, no big splashy display. And old Scrooge here is just fine with that.

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