The new year has begun, and what else is in the air besides the Chicago area’s freezing, wind chill? Love, of course! Stores are replacing their festive red and green decorations with pink and red ones. 

People, especially couples, are starting to buy gifts for their loved ones and show their love and appreciation. Boys go all out for this holiday to impress their girlfriends. While Valentine’s Day being a holiday for couples is a misconception, another is that it is a girl holiday. 

It is often heard that Valentine’s Day is for “the girls,” but shouldn’t the day be celebrated with the people you love? Whether that person is a boy or a girl, everyone deserves to feel loved on a day dedicated to love. 

Research by Statista shows that 40.5 % of women are more likely to not buy things for others on Valentine’s Day. At the same time, 32.3% of men are more likely not to make Valentine’s Day purchases. 67.7% of men purchase gifts, while 59.9% of women do.

While some boys might find an issue with not getting anything for the holiday, or not getting as much, some agree with the claim of Valentine’s being for girls. While some may think this, the male will still appreciate the thought of receiving gifts on this day about love. Most do not expect anything in return or from their female significant others, because they deem it as a day to celebrate the women in their lives. 

Junior Marshon Williams has his own opinion on how boys should be treated on Valentine’s Day: “I think Valentine’s is for girls, because [boys] have Sweetest Day, and I think the holiday is girly.” He continued to say, “I think boys shouldn’t be gifted on Valentine’s Day, since we have our day for gifts, and stuff like that.”

While Williams thinks that Valentine’s Day is a girl’s day, his girlfriend who is also a junior, Tiffany Shaw, has a different opinion on how gifts should be given on the holiday and who should receive the gifts. Shaw does not see Valentine’s Day as a holiday, but just a nice day she looks forward to, to spend time with Williams. She does believe that Valentine’s Day should be celebrated for both genders.          

While these two experiences are not representative of everyone’s experience, they show how even couples disagree on the meaning of the holiday. They show the difference besides the argument and ultimately may show that even some boys think that the holiday is for girls. 

While Valentine’s Day is a day for more than just couples, it should be celebrated equally by both genders. Boys and girls should be gifted the same way, and with the same thought and effort, because the day is about love. Nowhere does it say Valentine’s Day is only a holiday for girls? 

I have always been around men and women who give each other things for the holiday, and both parties were happy and appreciative that they were being noticed by the person that they love. Both men and women deserve to receive gifts and feel loved on Valentine’s Day. Even though some men may feel as though they have a holiday (Sweetest Day), not everyone celebrates or knows about it, but everyone knows about Valentine’s Day. 

Besides, we live in a progressive society. Relationships are not between both boys and girls, so wouldn’t Valentine’s Day being labeled as a “Girls Holiday” be a bit offensive? The day should just be considered a love holiday– for all people and all types of relationships. 

So as you can see, Valentine’s Day is not a girl’s holiday at all. No matter the colors that represent it, or what is shown on social media, the day is for love. It is not only for girlfriends, and it’s not even about relationships. People should start treating the holiday as a day to show their love and appreciation for one another, and not just expect gifts from their boyfriends.