The History of Valentine's Day

By, Amanda Vuong 28'

Valentine Day is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14th, where we appreciate and celebrate the people we love. Valentine’s Day first started out as a Roman festival of Lupercalia and then the Catholic church officially made St. Valentine’s Day to honor martyrs. It was then altered to handwritten notes, flowers and chocolate. Many couples today celebrate their love for one another. However, has this holiday changed from a religious holiday to a date that benefits businesses and corporations?

Valentine’s Day has always been promoted as a day where you buy your special someone something special, such as jewelry, chocolates, flowers and cuisine. Although, over the past generations business corporations use the theme of love/romance to get their customers to buy their products. Often getting them to spend hundreds of dollars every year. Turning this religious holiday into an advertisement disguised as a celebration of love. Couple: Rebecca Vuong and Asher Wernicke stated that, “We believe that Valentine’s Day could be considered a marketing holiday…changing from handwritten cards/letters to buying big bouquets of flowers…but it's also nice to get something for your partner.” 

Many companies such as Chick-Fil-A have used this holiday as an opportunity to promote their business. Chick-Fil-A made a heart shaped tray to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is an example of businesses using the holiday as a chance to make money and advertise their products. Chick-Fil-A uses the shape of a heart and the colors red/pink to fit into the theme of love and romance. Using slogans such as, “Make someone’s Valentine’s Day with a Heart-Shaped Tray from Chick-Fil-A.” Sophomore Rasheed Davis commented, “businesses take advantage of the fact people are willing to buy their products even with their expensive prices to celebrate Valentine’s Day…they are trying to make the most profit off of this holiday.” Chick-Fil-A along with many other businesses and corporations take advantage of this “romantic” holiday to get their customers to buy their products. Making Valentine’s Day one of the most marketing-filled holidays there is. 

However many people still decide to celebrate and contribute to this marketed holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, 50%-56% of the US population celebrate Valentine’s Day and spend a relatively $27.5 billion in 2025 alone. Fueling businesses and corporations’. Academic Decathlon teacher Ms. Gordon expresses, “I think people enjoy being able to give a public display of affection for whoever they love…and they tend to target the newer relationships that are pressured to observe this holiday and do something special.” Despite companies benefitting greatly from our wallets, many people still rule that Valentine’s Day is a holiday to appreciate and celebrate with the people we love.