The British spend £1.5 billion on Valentine’s Day as the nation goes all romantic for one day – but is the annual day of love just a marketing tool for retailers and restaurants?
In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day advertising usually becomes more gendered and prices for flowers, chocolates and soft animals go up. We asked Lincoln’s residents if they thought the day was more about hard cash than romance.
Toby Whitaker, a 20 year old singleton, said: “Congratulations for failing into the corporate holiday trap which pits women against one another in a materialistic feud fought by their partners at the expense of the loss of their hard earned coin. Capitalism smiles upon you all.Oink Oink you capitalist pigs.”
Russian Dacha Gayi, 38, said: “The message behind Valentine’s Day is lovely, however, it’s become far too commercialised, its advertised everywhere, every shop has Valentine’s products which can make people who haven’t got a partner feel a bit low, but I love having an excuse to spoil my husband.”
Quite a few females would rather celebrate Galentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 13th. It is a non-official holiday created to celebrate ‘ladies celebrating ladies’. Galantine’s Day first became popular in 2010 after an American sitcom Parks and Recreation episode was dedicated to female friendship.
Nicole Ruparelia “Valentine’s day is not about celebrating love any more it’s all about the money. My favorite thing about valentines day is that you
‘Heart’ sweets Photo pintrestcan get all the expensive chocolate half off on February 15th.”
Another shopper, who did not want to be named, said: “I personally love Galantine’s, there’s no quota for presents or big gestures, and it’s just love. I and my pals usually post our favourite pictures on Instagram and I love that.”