Valentine’s Day Now v.s. in Grade School

Along with the fall carnival cake walk and Halloween costume parade, the Valentine’s Day party was one of the most anticipated events of elementary school for me. In the weeks leading up to February 14, I would sit down and stalk Pinterest for the most creative, over-the-top box I could make to impress all of my classmates. I would also scan the aisles of Target to have the best candy or fun-shaped eraser to give to each of my classmates. Now, most high schoolers spend their Valentine’s Day more focused around significant others and parties outside of school. 

Although the class parties that happened for Valentine’s Day in elementary school were fun at the time, I have learned to appreciate Valentine’s Day for its true purpose — showing people that you care. 

We all remember the unofficial competition between our classmates for who created the best Valentine’s box. Because of my naturally competitive nature, I’d spend hours perfecting every last detail of my box, down to the placement of each red pipe cleaner held on by glitter glue so that it was ready to show off on the big day. But let’s be honest, I really just told my mom how I wanted my box to look and she did the rest, but I took full credit for the craftsmanship once at school. However, as I have matured, Valentine’s Day has become less of a crafting competition and more of a day to celebrate loved ones.

As much fun as it was to leave school early and eat sweets, the class parties were never as fun as I wanted them to be. Someone always brought carrots instead of cupcakes or grapes instead of brownies and as we have grown up it hasn’t gotten much better. 

After grade school, class parties disappear and although a teacher might focus their lesson on a Valentine’s Day-related topic, the day of love and most other holidays tends to look like any normal day. Once school is over, people host “Galentines” parties, do something special with their significant other or get together with friends to celebrate, but it’s really not the same. Instead of the sugar-crazed party day it was in elementary school, Valentine’s Day has become an excuse to show the people you love that you care about them. As we get older we start to understand the real meaning of Feb. 14.

Although candy and parties are fun in grade school, being with the people you love is the purpose of Valentine’s Day and should be the reason we celebrate. My traditions have changed drastically over the years. I now celebrate with different people, give different gifts and do a Galentine’s day party at the lake. Some things stay the same like heart decorations and chocolates.

The similarities between now and grade school are comforting each year. In high school and beyond we tend to take more advantage of the opportunities to give gifts, show appreciation and say “I love you.”  My traditions have changed drastically over the years. I now celebrate with different people, give different gifts and go to different parties but no matter how much the holiday has grown for me, the idea of telling people how you feel remains the same.