By MICHELLE MAISONVILLE
“You’ve got a pizza my heart,” reads a Ninja Turtle Valentine’s Day card, much like the ones we used to receive back in elementary school. Remember those days? Back before we got caught up in the idea that Valentine’s Day is just for couples to celebrate. We would decorate a bag or box for our classmates to put cards in and give each and every one of our classmates a card, maybe even some heart-shaped candy. We didn’t feel bad about ourselves for being single on Feb. 14, we loved that day. Oh, how times have changed.
Valentine’s Day now has a reputation for being an overly commercialized holiday, meant only for couples. This leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many people.
This reputation is undeserved. Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate all kinds of love. Celebrate not only with your significant other, if you have one, but with your family, friends, classmates and colleagues too.
If you’re feeling down for being single, make plans with someone to have a night in. You could have a spa night at home, watch some movies and indulge in a little chocolate. If that’s not your thing, you could play some video games or have fun baking some yummy treats.
If you do have a significant other and you plan on celebrating with him or her, money may hold you back from enjoying Valentine’s Day.
It’s well known that college students don’t have a lot of money to spend. We’re paying for tuition, rent, groceries, textbooks, a bus pass or a parking pass and the list goes on.
Valentine’s Day plans don’t have to be extravagant. If you’re celebrating with your significant other you can stay at home, light some candles, dim the lights and have a romantic home-cooked meal together.
If you do want to go out and spend some money on each other, discuss it first. Set a spending limit for Valentine’s Day. Maybe one of you will pay for dinner and the other will pay to go see a movie.
That way you’ll each spend roughly the same amount and one of you won’t end up feeling bad for spending less than the other person or breaking your bank.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be the overly commercialized, only for romantic love day that it’s portrayed to be in the media. Show love to whomever and however you want this Feb. 14.
