As Valentine’s Day approaches, students plan their festivities, whether it be with a family member, friend or partner. Every year, Valentine’s traditions are maintained with an abundance of chocolate, iconic heart candies, roses and sappy cards. 

As early as the 15th century, people of all ethnic backgrounds began writing notes and letters for their lovers and friends. With the influx of new technology in the 1900s, people began printing cards instead of writing them. According to Hallmark, “Approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged industry-wide, making Valentine’s Day the second-largest holiday for giving greeting cards.”

Valentine’s Day, though widely celebrated, includes extremely varying traditions from the people who take part in it.

“Every year, my dad and I eat at a fancy restaurant,” freshman Harper Dickeson said. “He and my mom buy me flowers and chocolates.”

The holiday’s aesthetic enhances the appealing parts of Valentine’s Day, such as the gifts, pink colors, candies and so much more. 

“I look forward to Valentine’s Day because I love getting chocolate-covered strawberries,” senior McKenzie Thompson said. “I also love seeing all the pretty colors and feeling the vibe of the holiday.”

Whether celebrating the holiday with families or partners, the effort put into thinking about others and giving gifts holds significant importance during this time.

“Before Valentine’s Day, I buy candies and nice flowers for my girlfriend,” sophomore Kayden Lee said. “I also like to make a poster for her.”

The act of gift-giving heavily impacts others’ emotions, making the holiday most known for love, affection and friendship.

“My favorite memory from Valentine’s Day is when my dad brought me flowers after I had broken up with my boyfriend,” Dickeson said. “It was so sweet, and I was so happy that I cried.”

Childhood memories of the holiday can also play a big part in the meaning of the season.

“When I was eight years old, my dad got me and my sisters life-sized stuffed animals,” junior Isabelle Harmon said. “He also got us a giant chocolate heart candy.”

Aside from the pleasure of giving and receiving gifts in addition to the overall vibes of the day, Valentine’s Day holds a deeper meaning.

“Even though it’s not the best holiday, I still look forward to Valentine’s Day,” Lee said. “The main point of the holiday is to bring people together.”