by Kate Johns

Created on: January 26, 2010

Valentine's Day has become the second biggest holiday, sliding in right behind Christmas. And it kind of makes me sick. No, not all the candy i will probably scarf down or swipe from my kid's assortment given to them from Nana and Papa. Valentine's Day has become a one day holiday that is a major reason to buy expensive gifts, and spend tons of money on going out to expensive restaurants.

It's mass consumerism at work. I'm female and I am saying-Bah Humbug to Valentine's Day. I would be more than happy with my husband taking a day off from work, to spend with me, telling me how much he adores me after all these years. I for one don't need the expensive meal out, or a new diamond ring to signify his love for me. I'm cheap, and I know it! That's probably one of the reasons why he married me-he had me at "can't afford that."

Mass consumerism is virtually ruining Valentine's Day. The ads for Valentine's Day start right after Christmas. Valentine's gifts are packed into the stores while we are still enjoying our Christmas dinner. It's to the point where we go into the stores to look for major Christmas deals and end up buying Valentine's gifts and cards while we are out.

Valentine's Day has become a  holiday where everyone from your spouse to the dog and cat expect a gift . It's becoming insane when people are buying Valentine's gifts for their hamsters, the lonely neighbor next door, and the boss at work. Not to mention that there are Valentine's cards for just about everyone. And they have everything to say, in these Valentine's cards-they are funny, sentimental sexy, kids giving to kids,and kids giving to Nana and Papa.

Enough already! At the risk of sounding like a Valentine's Day Scrooge, I say, let's put a stop to this mass consumerism at work on Valentine's Day. It's to the point where restaurants depend on Valentine's Day to make their yearly budget. Do we really need to buy everyone we know a card for a romantic made up holiday?

Before we know it, designers and large department stores will be creating a a way for us to spend our hard earned money on Valentine's decorations that include a tree, with ornaments, red and pink outdoor lights. and red and pink rugs, sheets, pillows, and small decorative towels.

Mass Consumerism is at work here, and  we are partially to blame,. We need to put a stop to feeling guilty that divorced friedns will be alone on this romantic holdiay. Do we really need to buy the cat a candy heart filled with catnip? No, we can show our love for our partner the old fashioned way- with a big hug , a card, and possibly flowers. Let the mass merchandisers, and those large department stores learn a lesson from us this year. While we are struggling to find jobs, and get better jobs, stores are going to have to do without our buying into their made up holiday of overt consumerism.

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