Zuzanna Fudala
Features Editor
Who doesn’t love gifts? Whether it’s candy or a card, the thrill of receiving a gift applies to both young and old. However, gift-giving seems to have become an obligatory action heavily pushed by companies, which in turn has contributed to the decay of the meanings of many holidays.
Valentine’s Day is one of the holidays that I think has been largely taken over by corporations to push their materialistic agendas. I remember seeing a jewelry commercial in which the narrator said “show her how much you care.” This makes me think about all the people who can’t afford jewelry for their loved ones; it’s kind of a slap in the face for them if you ask me. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about showing the special people in your life how much you care about them, but it doesn’t necessarily mean buying gifts; sometimes it is about making gifts or having a special evening twhich is completely different from what is represented in media and commercials.
I’m not against material items; giant stuffed animals are adorable, candy is a classic gift for all occasions, and flowers, especially roses, are a staple for showing affection at any time, not just Valentine’s Day. If you like to give these kinds of gifts or receive them, then there is nothing wrong with that; I love to get them too.
What I mean is, there shouldn’t be a price on love. If you like to go out to eat, whether it’s somewhere fancy and expensive or someplace that’s more affordable and with a chill vibe, then go for it; if you would rather cook a wonderful meal and watch your favorite movies, do that; if you buy a ton of gifts for your significant other or even just one, fabulous! Just make it special.
Zuzanna Fudala can be contacted at fudalaz@student.morainevalley.edu
