Valentine’s Day – another consumptive holiday. A lot of money will be spent this week to show we care about someone. Must we buy millions of boxes of chocolates, endless Hallmark cards, and roses that will die on Monday?
Why do we have to buy something to show someone we care about them? Why is love and affection so materialistic?
These holidays make me crazy! Be sure I’ll write about unnecessary mass consumption again at Easter.
And why do we cram our loving into a day here and a day there? Didn’t we just do this six weeks ago at Christmas time? Love should be shown and sown every day, and not with stuff!
Tell someone every day you care about them by saying… I love you. Or… I like you. Or… You’re a friend I can’t do without. Do something for them instead of buying them a token gift.
> Make your lover, friend or family member a meal, or go out to eat. We all need to eat, and sharing meal time is very special.
> Make a card with pics from magazines you have laying around that you will not read again. Homemade gifts are cherished!
> Send an e-card.
> Give someone a picture of yourself.
> Write a poem or song.
> Make a phone call.
> Make several phone calls.
> Offer to be available when they need an extra hand.
> Let them know you are always there for them.
Tell everyone you love them without a tangible item! It can be done!
The other problem with holidays like this is that people without lovers feel very left out. Their ‘aloneness’ is magnified by the ads, the shopping and the stories of gifts, dinners and romance on Feb 15. The same holds true at Thanksgiving and Christmas – these are very lonely holidays for those without a lot of love in their lives. But that’s another essay for another time, maybe next November?
Make an effort this Valentine’s Day to ‘go green’ not by buying organic chocolate or locally grown, organic roses, but by buying nothing at all. Personally connect with your lovers, friends and family in a non-materialistic way, the way we boycott Black Friday with Buy Nothing Day. Do good deeds, talk to them, break bread with them. That will be more memorable than wondering where to dump that wilting dozen roses on Monday evening.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Brilliant! Thanks for great ideas … now we can show our Mother how much we love her too, by taking in your suggestions.
HAPPY -V- DAY
Thank you! Have a lovely, non-consumptive holiday!
Great tips Nan! There is definitely no reason to spend a lot of money to show someone you love them. Our family is planning on spending the day together, playing games, reading, going for a walk, hanging out, etc. It will just be nice to be together!
Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day – lots of love to you!
A day spent with family sounds great, Tara! Every day should be like that, eh? Reserve a gift for a r-e-a-l-l-y special occasion!
I once had a friend say to me that “although I don’t tell you how much our friendship means to me, I hope you know by the gifts I give you.” I said “yes I know”, but it would be cheaper to tell me.
lol A little backwards, huh?! Our society has to get off the buy-something mindset and get back to connecting with people personally by talking, sharing, spending time together. We don’t need gifts! A friend of mine’s girlfriend said she would move out if he bought her anything for Valentine’s Day. I love her!