Samantha Chu

Students have mixed opinions about Valentine’s Day, ranging from feeling that it’s become commercialized to a day to celebrate love.

It’s Feb. 14.

Heart-shaped chocolates go out of stock in all of the grocery stores, red roses show up almost everywhere, and Hallmark makes a fortune off of their card sales.

The day of love has come.

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Samantha Chu

A huge sign wishes all of Carlmont a happy Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually, originating as a day to commemorate St. Valentine. However, over time, it became known as a day for romance.

While many use Valentine’s Day as a way to express their love to someone, others choose to not participate in the event.

“It’s mostly a day for couples, and it reminds me that I’m single,” sophomore Brendan Boone said.

Boone does not stand alone in his opinion. Many others express the same thoughts on social media platforms such as Twitter.

Despite these opinions, many still enjoy Valentine’s Day and celebrate it as a day full of love and appreciation for others.

“Overall, I think it’s a very fun holiday,” Madeleine Quinn, a junior who is in a relationship, said. “I think it’s a good day to acknowledge the people who are close to you — not just your significant other, but your friends and family as well.”

Some other students who are not in a relationship agree with the same point.

“I love Valentine’s Day because it is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate love,” sophomore Katrina So said. “I love the fact that it’s a day to express your love to others through gifts, displays of affection, and overall appreciation for one another. Whether it’s love for your friends, family, or significant other, it is a day filled with joy.”

Although many do like Valentine’s Day and the overall spirit and culture of it, some feel that the day could be commercialized.

“On the business side of it, it’s become an industry,” said Patricia Braunstein, a history teacher. “I think businesses take advantage of Valentine’s Day because people spend so much money on it, so in that way, it kind of gets overdone.”

While there’s conflicting opinions about the holiday, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by many who want to appreciate their loved ones and the act of love.

Braunstein said, “We have so many negative things in this world, so it’s good to have a fun positive by telling someone that you love them.”