The renowned German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, once said, “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” 
Valentine’s Day is madness, there is no denying this. However, those who argue Valentine’s Day is just a holiday to celebrate consumerism should also view other holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter through the same lens.
In 2016, Forbes released an article stating the total holiday spending would exceed $1 trillion, a 4 percent increase from the prior year. In addition, in 2016, Halloween spending topped off around $9 million for a holiday where you dress up and eat candy.
My personal favorite for those who bash Valentines Day is Easter. For the individuals who claim Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday, news flash, so is the main driver for all Easter spending, the Easter Bunny.
According to Time, the Easter Bunny finds its origins in the pagan tradition of Eostre. People celebrated the goddess of fertility and her animal symbol, the bunny during this holiday because rabbits are known for their energetic breeding.
The hatred for Valentine’s Day is rooted in something far more personal than America’s systemic consumer-centric culture: people no longer want to celebrate love the same way their grandparents showed affection.
As a generation, we have shattered all preexisting notions of love. No longer is it defined by the attitude of putting people before yourself and serving from the heart, but it is defined by equality.  Equality is incorrectly equated to respect and in many people’s minds. If you are not considered equal in every way, you are not being respected, and therefore, are not being loved.
In addition, Valentine’s Day celebrates love, which is a vulnerable emotion. Millennials are often referred to as the most anxious generation in recorded history, so it is no surprise as a generation we would shove away things which would make us even more anxious. I distinctly remember in third grade having a special Valentine for a girl and being absolutely petrified to give it to her because of how she or my fellow classmates may respond.
Valentine’s Day is the fall guy of all holidays. Yes, it is surrounded by consumerism; yes, it is outdated and cheesy. However, there are still many positives from Valentine’s Day.
It is one day you can show people how much you care for them. Your affections for a person do not need to be limited to only a day in February, but it allows those who are not typically affectionate a way to express themselves in an almost a fool-proof way.
Valentine’s Day also does not have to be just between significant others. Parents can express their love for their children, especially fathers to daughters; or friends can come together and celebrate their friendship.
If nothing else, Valentine’s Day can be healthy for people, according to WebMD. People are more likely to eat chocolate and drink red wine on Valentine’s Day, both containing antioxidants. In addition, sex, often a “side effect” of Valentine’s Day, is shown to stimulate blood flow, balance hormones and help your heart.
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day has turned into the Nickelback of holidays. People just enjoy hating on the day of love. For most, it is too much of everything to be enough of something, but I recommend making it not about yourself, and experience the joy of loving someone else.