Valentine’s Day at Forest Hills High School brings out all the emotions in students and staff. The pink and red covered hallways, rose deliveries as an awkward reminder that you’re single, the holiday is almost impossible to ignore. Some students embrace the romance, while others groan and roll their eyes at the pressure and the over the top displays of affection. Love it or hate it -or both-, Valentine’s Day affects everyone on and off campus. For me, these are the top 10 things I hate (and love) about Valentine’s Day…..
The Hallways
Once you walk into the building, the influx of bouquets, roses, gifts and everyone dressed in tones of red can be overwhelming. Already trying to get across the third floor is hard enough, and with the halls looking as if cupid vomited all over the floor it will be even harder.
“PDA” Couples
If you haven’t already seen enough couples in the hallways engaging in affection-bearing activities, the Friday before V-Day it will just be ten times as worse. If being late to your class wasn’t already troublesome enough, a public display of affection might just make the commute even more unbearable.
The Money
Although the holiday is about love and affection, financial burdens still come into play during this holiday season. Valentine’s Day can be considered one of the most expensive holidays. Somehow a normal bouquet of roses you find at the grocery store that usually costs ten dollars spikes up to thirty dollars. Chocolates, cards, teddy bears, and more all become increasingly more costly.
On top of gifts, paying for dates and food adds up to the cost. Social media doesn’t help this either, as some have seen Valentine’s Day as a way to show who can make the biggest gesture, instead of its initial intention to show love. This financial and social burden can add a colossal amount of pressure, especially to high school students.
Being Single on Valentine’s
Even though the holiday is supposed to be about love, it can sometimes feel like a spotlight on being single. Seeing couples post on Instagram, walking through halls filled with flowers, or watching classmates receive surprise deliveries can make some students feel left out. Valentine’s Day can unintentionally turn into a comparison game, and for people who are single, it may feel more isolating than celebratory.
The Expectations of “Perfect”
Valentine’s Day often comes with pressure, the “perfect” gift, the “perfect” date, the “perfect” Instagram post. Social media can make it feel like everyone else is having a movie-worthy romantic experience. That pressure can turn what should be a simple day of appreciation into something stressful.
With these dislikes, there are many things to look forward to on Valentine’s Day, which excludes societal pressure to get into a relationship or constant reminders of being lonely.
Creative Gifts
With inspiration from movies such as “To All The Boys I Loved Before,” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” couples have utilized access to arts and crafts as a way to show love and thanks to their significant others and people they love. Baskets full of different types of gifts, pipe-cleaner lilies, creative music playlists, and handwritten letters are some of the many creative ways people have shown love in the form of gift giving. Creative gifts feel personal. They show that someone paid attention to your favorite color, your favorite candy, your favorite song, or even an inside joke only the two of you understand.
Appreciation Beyond Romance
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about couples, it’s also about appreciating the people who show up for you every day. Friends, siblings, parents, teammates, even teachers can all be celebrated. At Forest Hills, where friendships and community matter so much, Valentine’s Day can be a reminder to send that “thank you” text or surprise a friend with a rose from the red cross club just because.
The Concept of Galentine’s
A new phenomenon has emerged derived from Valentine’s, which is “Galentine’s,” essentially where a group of friends all celebrate together, buying food, gifts, and adding festive decorations to their dining rooms. Galentine’s entails the celebration of friendships instead of romance. For a lot of students, February 14 isn’t about candlelit dinners or matching outfits with a partner. It’s about group FaceTimes, sleepovers, movie nights, or going out for food with your friends. Galentine’s takes away the pressure of needing to qualify by being in a relationship to celebrate valentines day, rather, you can celebrate love while also being inclusive.
The Overall Aesthetic
Pink and red everything. Heart-shaped decorations. Cute cards. Even if you’re not celebrating with someone, the aesthetic of Valentine’s Day is undeniably fun. The themed drinks, cozy vibes, and over-the-top decorations bring a light, playful energy to February, a month that can otherwise feel long and cold.
Love: It’s Universal
One of the best things about Valentine’s Day is that anyone can participate. You don’t need to be in a relationship or spend a lot of money. You can celebrate by writing a card, hanging out with friends, or even treating yourself. At its core, Valentine’s Day is about connection, and that’s something everyone can relate to. Love, in all its forms, is universal.
Overall, as there are things to love about Valentine’s Day, there are always things to dislike. Valentine’s Day will probably always be a mix of hearts and headaches. For some students, it’s filled with flowers, friendships, and feel-good moments; for others, it comes with pressure, comparisons, or feeling left out. But at its best, the holiday isn’t really about perfection, it’s about appreciation. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, your friends, your family, or just yourself, maybe the best way to approach Valentine’s Day is to define it on your own terms.
