Valentines Day: Love is in the air at URI this Valentines Day. Graphic by Elizabeth Wong.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, people across the nation are gearing up for chocolate hearts and rose-colored cards. I’m here to tell you why the holiday is so great not only for those in relationships, but also for all of my singles out there.
Let’s look at the material appeal of Valentine’s Day. There are the quintessential boxes of chocolate and life-sized teddy bears that adorn the shelves of convenience stores around the country. Whether you’re a fan of Hershey’s or Dove chocolate, all companies participate in the festivities of the holiday.
There are also fun holiday-themed cards that play on relationships or cards you can get for your best friend. From funny pop-up cards to heartfelt ones, of course Hallmark has you covered with upwards of 1,200 Valentine’s Day themed cards. I’ve always loved giving or receiving these cards as a fun addition to the physical gifts that people can get one another for the holiday.
The aesthetic of the holiday also appeals to the eye as pink and red come together to form floral bouquets. Speaking of bouquets, Edible Arrangements are another viable option for those not interested in maintaining a vase of flowers for a week or two, as I find myself unable to.
An opportunity to appreciate those in your life, beyond significant others, is also presented by this holiday and is the main reason why I love it. This idea of being able to show your appreciation and affection towards others is one missed on many other days of the year.
Romantic comedies are also another great aspect that come along with the holiday season. These movies can either be tear jerkers or a cringe fest, but they are definitely a guilty pleasure for many. I always look forward to the Hallmark Channel’s specials released around this time of year. Some classic romantic comedies to watch this Valentine’s Day are “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Love, Simon,” “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “Sleepless in Seattle.”
For those looking for date ideas this Valentine’s Day, I’ve got you covered. You can take a trip to Jamestown, whether it be outdoors to Beavertail State Park or Fort Wetherill State Park, a walk around Newport or a journey over to the greenhouse on campus.
Hopefully this weekend, singles and couples alike can join in the festivities of the holiday and chow down on some chocolate or candy hearts in light of the heart-themed holiday.