Flowers, chocolates and financial consequences

Lovers of all ages may be indulging more than usual on this romantic day, but they do not have to spend much to demonstrate their love for someone.

Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day.  This day has been celebrated for over a millennium, with the first Valentine’s Day in year 496. The celebration has roots in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrating the beginning of spring and fertility rites. However, Pope Gelasius I replaced the day with St. Valentine’s Day at the end of the fifth century. The modern association of romance and St. Valentine is credited to a poem written by Geoffery Chaucer in 1381.

Valentine’s day is often celebrated through displays of gift-giving and romantic outings. In 2019, Loans Canada reported that men in Canada spent an average of $135 on gifts for Valentine’s Day while women spent an average of $68. According to multiple sources, social media serves as a key factor pressuring people into spending a bit extra on this day.

Pamela Hills is a Windsor woman who said that individuals feel pressured to buy more for their significant others after seeing what other couples are doing online.

“Everybody is trying to one up each other,” said Hills, “It’s like, ‘we’re doing a vacation,’ ‘we’re doing this.’ Just trying to keep up with other people.”

Hills also said this competitive mindset is unhealthy and that people should focus on showing their partners and family their love every day instead of waiting for a specific day to do so.

Ciaran Shuart, 18, is also from Windsor and said while he believes the pressure to spend more on Valentine’s Day does exist, he and his partner do not get involved.

“I recognize that feeling is there, but I don’t actually attribute to it and neither does my partner,” said Shuart.

He also said  while he may buy meaningful gifts for his partner, the luxury of expensive gifts is not what is important.

“Regardless of the tradition usually we don’t buy into something that’s super expensive,” said Shuart. “We usually try to get each other something that’s cheaper because we know that our love for each other is well enough.”

Despite individuals resisting the pressure to spend more this time of year, local businesses do still see an increase in traffic.

Lisa Valente, owner of Marco’s Pizzeria & Valente’s Pasta House, said their special Valentine’s Day heart-shaped pizzas have been popular this year.

“We’ve had a lot of pre-orders for those, especially for students,” said Valente.

She also said despite the increase in customers, people have been spending less money on this celebration. She cites the cause of this shift to the popular bargain website, Groupon.

While the temptation to indulge in flowers and chocolate this Valentine’s Day may be present, many people say it is important to remember, sometimes, the best gift is quality time with someone you love.