By Rema Atiya/se news editor
For some people, Valentine’s Day just isn’t that special.
“I think it is a made-up holiday,” said Dario Hernandez of NE Campus. “I would rather do something the day before or after because it means more to me than doing something for Valentine’s Day when I think it is just a man-made holiday.”
Of course, Valentine’s Day was not always as commercialized as it is today. Historians are not sure when Valentine’s Day was born, but they do know it originated in Spain with a man named St. Valentine, who when sentenced to death, signed his last note to his girlfriend on Feb. 14 “Your Valentine.”
Many male students believe Valentine’s Day is just a commercialized holiday to make people spend more money.
“Valentine’s Day is a man-made holiday, and I feel like it is a waste of my money because you should be doing nice things for your significant other all throughout the year rather than just this one day,” said Mac Paige, a SE student.
The women of TCC did not think of Valentine’s Day as a man-made holiday, but they did say someone does not have to spend a lot of money on them on this day.
“I think Valentine’s Day is more about spending time with the one you love and not how much money they spend on you,” said Amanda Simpson, TR Campus student.
SE student Cheyserr Navarre said she probably won’t have a Valentine this year, but in years past, she would spend money freely.
“When I used to have a valentine, though, I usually spent around $100-200 on him,” she said.
Valentine’s Day gifts can range from $3 to $100 at Wal-Mart.
“On the whole day, I spend about $200 on my valentine,” Paige said. “I have a savings account for those kinds of things, so it does not hurt me financially.”
With the beginning of the spring semester so close to Feb. 14, someone would think it might hurt college students spending so much on their Valentine’s Day right after paying for tuition and books.
“I’m a hustler,” Navarre said. “If I did have a valentine, it would not bother me how much money I spend on him because he would be someone special to me.”
Simpson said recent financial setbacks could affect her spending.
“Valentine’s Day does not hurt my pockets because I usually save up for those kinds of things, but this year because I wrecked my car three times, my Valentine might not get a huge present. Besides, it is always the thought that counts,” she said.
