Traditionally, the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day is one that commemorates the relationship of two people. However, as a teenager growing up in a modern society I prefer to spend such day in the company of my friends. 

Therefore, rather than attempting to find a Valentine, let alone spend four hours searching for the perfect gift, ensuring it’s not too awkward with the “type” of connection you have together (eventually finding out he bought you socks anyway); I embrace the day as any other. I can recognise that buying a card or present for the one you love may be sentimental, however seeing a group of middle aged men sporting a bunch of sale flowers the night before doesn’t scream devout to me. Such a sight is even less charming when you’re awake at ten o’clock in a desperate attempt to get school supplies (as I’ve found out) at your local Tesco. 

Love, amour, liefde , the word is universal, so why is it only recognised on a certain day?Instead, shouldn’t we all show that we appreciate friends and family everyday? The media is constantly pushing more money grabbing ideas down our throats.Plus, there are two markets for people on Valentine’s Day, people with a Valentine and people without.

Unlike any other year, this year I’ll give my friends cards. Although, I’ll give them to them the day after Valentine’s Day, and they’ll have messages that mean something in all of them; because we don’t need a certain day to show gratitude.