Valentines Day 2014 Commercial or Cute

Ah the commercial annual  event design to strike fear in the hearts of all and the pockets of many. Who would have believed that the death of a future Saint; condemned for consecrating forbidden marriages and tending to persecuted Christian's, would have ever become such a commercial money spinner.

The hand written poems of history have given way to mass produced cards. Be it childlike, classical, witty, geeky or dripping with down right hatred and irony. They all festoon the shops, surrounded by helpful date reminders of the impending occasion, and judgemental shop assistants.

The careful chosen flowers  are now obligatory roses, either singly or in masses, depending on the recipients taste and requirements. Long gone are the hidden messages of love and loyalty spelt out with deep horticultural knowledge of a flowers deeper meaning (a book or clever florist).

Chocolates are now at a premium and you are encouraged to pay over the odds for a box of chocolates, a price you would 'scoff' at, if it were the same weight in normal chocolate. But presentation is essential and its worth the extra cost for the layer of tissue paper and the dainty little separated sweets, only some of which you'll actually like.

Teddy bears and other assorted animal stare blankly back at the prospective purchaser, clutching hearts or  banners of love and further announcements of the occasion. Balloons also feature heavily (the ideal choice for hay fever suffers every where!), in a range of shapes but all the same classy red and white often festooned with further logos and patterns and draped with ribbons.

Wine has joined the ranks of importance, the underlying notion that inebriation is the way forward when dealing with emotions. Surely fizzy grape water isn't that essential to everyone's take on romance?

The required gifts now range from jewellery (watch out for those ring boxes of commitment!) and perfume (usually suitable for your mother) all the way to socks, phone cases and even paper clips and and headbands. The naive courtship rituals of yesteryear and childhood cast aside for the required status of 'having a Valentine'.

However for every couple hijacked into the blissful ideal, there will be many making a stand against the concept.














Whether they are single or in a relationship, these neigh sayers are slowly creeping into the marketing eye. Some refuse the idea that romance is for a single day of the year, some simply dread the judgemental quizzing on their 'haul'. Perhaps there are natural cynics who think its all feminine emotional twaddle, or even those selectively blind people who can successfully navigate the world and miss all references to it.

And where do I stand? Well I believe it isn't just a 'once a year' romantic notion, but I will happily fund the ideal with cards and daft teddies. It isn't something I have ever taken seriously and have been lucky enough to share the same thought with my other half. I'm happy with notes on Post its and random 'Wednesday' flowers. To be honest if I want flowers or chocolates I can buy them myself, I have no insecurities about doing so. Having said that I did land a child free, candle lit dinner, with alcohol and flowers this year. So I think I did okay, especially when I consider my other half's natural aversion to emotional outbursts.