Valentine's Day Kindergarten Party... I'm over it!

The commercialism of Valentine’s Day is has become an outlandish holiday that I am beginning to find cliché. Every year in the United States we contribute roughly 17.3 billion dollars to the economy buying flowers, candy and jewelry. I am sorry my fellow Cupid Believers; this is outlandish. What happened to enjoying the company of a loved one without having to budget for lavish gifts and flowers to meet the ideas implanted by mass media marketing agenda? Today I shopped with my three children buying the long list of items I had been asked to bring for their school Valentine’s Day Parties. We ordered flowers for their teachers, corsages for the dances, and bought a truck full of loot for the first and second grade classes. I have conformed to the unnecessary spending habits of America and I vow never again will I subject myself to this marketing manipulation again.

        I remember when I was a child we had a small Valentine’s Day Party at school exchanging small little puppy dog cards that we had sloppily written our name on. Carefully picking out just the right one for each friend. The teacher would have a homemade sweet treat and we would sit at our desks reading our little cards. Oh how things evolve when subjected to the idealistic society.

To paint a better picture I would like to put perspective on the expectations in today’s classrooms in regards to the new traditions of Valentine’s exchange. Each child is expected- asked- to bring the little cards just as tradition has taught us. However, they are no longer just cards. They are candies that are attached to a card; with stickers and a tattoo hidden on the back. The cost isn’t $1 a box anymore. It’s $5-$10, or at times even more. Those homemade sweet treats are store bought bakery items, a fruit tray, cheese sticks and candy- and we must not forget the individually packaged drinks. I understand the fun of all these great additions to the traditional Valentine’s Day Party- but I don’t understand the overindulgence and the expense parents are subjected to out of obligation.

                Children receive roses at the front office by the truck loads and teachers are garnished with chocolates. I understand the purpose of Valentine’s Day and I enjoy passing on the tradition to my children. However, when it takes a yearly budget of $300 to supply three children with the proper Valentine’s Day loot for a 45 minute school party each year- I think the industry has take it too far. I challenge America to return to the days of little puppy dog cards and a single rose and let go of the marketing mayhem that has led us to believe plastic cards filled with candy and a dozen roses are the bare minimum when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day at school.