Valentine’s Day Plans: Sweet Ideas & Honest Opinions

As Valentine's day approaches on February 14, Students are sharing their plans and opinions on the holiday, showing that while some see it as overrated, others view it as a meaningful way to show love through quality time, gifts, and genuine efforts.
by Kimaya Campbell and Nevaeh Boyce

As Valentine's Day approaches on February 14, students are sharing their plans and opinions on the holiday, showing that while some see it as overrated, others view it as a meaningful way to show love through quality time, gifts, and genuine efforts.

Valentine's Day is all about keeping things simple and relaxed. Coach Selman shared that an ideal plan doesn't have to be over the top. Selman adds, “...go out to eat, come back, watch some movies, have a nice chill night.” However, he believes the holiday itself can feel unnecessary, explaining that it is "overrated, because it is a holiday to basically appreciate the people you love [that] you have appreciated all year.”

Even though he feels that way, Coach Selman still believes love should be shown in thoughtful ways, especially when it comes to his mom. He explained, “Buy a couple bouquets of roses, take her out to eat, give my mom her favorite chocolate, have all her kids give her something she appreciates, then come back and cook her some dinner.”

Some students feel the holiday can be meaningful when it’s shared with the right person. Elizabeth believes Valentine's Day is often criticized unfairly, saying, “...I feel like if you actually have a partner, somebody you love, it’s cute.” She added that a simple and thoughtful plan can make the day special. Elizabeth continues, “I feel like going out somewhere and making gifts for each other is simple, but still cute.”

Alexandria shared that Valentine's Day can be meaningful when effort is put into it. “My boyfriend is taking me to Tennessee to see the falls and then we're going to stay in Gatlinburg for a few days. Then we're coming back and I think we're going to Florida right after,” Alexandria shared. While she enjoys celebrating, she acknowledged that the holiday can be overdone, calling it, "Meaningful, but some people make it seem overrated.”

A memorable Valentine's Day moment that stood out to Alexandria in the past was when “I had gone to this place downtown with somebody and he gave me this Monster, and it was made out of like a different Monster can, and it was just a flower which was sweet.”

For her, handmade gifts matter most. “I like giving gifts and mainly like hand-making gifts as well 'cause it just shows I care, and putting effort into what I'm making just makes it seem like I tried. It's just like the showing of love; you don't force love. It's just like Valentine's Day is meaningful because of that.”

Overall, students agree that Valentine's Day means different things to different people. Whether it is seen as overrated or meaningful, many believe that what truly matters is the effort and authenticity behind how love is shown.