It’s Coming Up: Valentines

February has officially dawned, Oliver Rawlings readers and with it comes that most loved up of hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day. How should you handle the day of hearts and flowers?

There’s a reason that they call it the ultimate hallmark holiday; that’s because it most certainly is. The corporations of the retail world come together to convince you that your relationship will be unable to survive unless you buy the most expensive item on the list.

I can only speak from my own experience readers, but doesn’t this kind of negate the whole point of Valentines? This may seem odd but keep up with me here.

If you go around splashing the cash then it makes sense that eventually this is going to eat into your bank balance. If your bank balance only has a certain amount (like with most people) then eventually it’s going to drain it if your partner has particularly expensive taste.

Doesn’t this go against the very idea of a relationship?  Money is one of the most common problems in this country and statistically it is one of the most common causes of stress. Stress can actually have physical side effects such as high blood pressure. These are bad for your health.

Why would someone who loves you (or at least cares for you very much) want to put you in that position? At the end of the day your health should matter to them more than whatever you’ve bought them.

I’m not saying don’t spend any money; sometimes if you have a great idea that you know will appeal to your partner, you might need some cash to carry it out.  However when it comes to Valentine’s I believe that there should be one guiding principle; it’s the thought that counts.

This brings up a more central point about the Valentine’s Day phenomenon; it’s about showing you care. Spending nothing and writing a poem with your deepest feelings in it can be just as, if not more effective than buying a diamond bracelet. It’s a day about love so how about actually communicating that love.

Valentine’s Day really is the ultimate hallmark holiday and that’s not always necessarily a bad thing. When it comes down to it Oliver Rawlings readers, concentrate on the intention behind the gift rather than the price tag it carries.