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Uncover the journey of Valentine's Day, exploring its roots and evolution into a consumer-driven celebration, marked by gifts like flowers, chocolates and jewels in the U.S. Still, this day has evolved into a commercialized scheme to get people to pull out their wallets. Many Americans will spend an average of $164.76 on Valentine’s Day this year, a $60 increase from 2020. The commercialization began around the 1840s when Esther A. Howland mass-produced Valentines to sell. Hallmark Cards (founded in 1907) sold Valentine’s Day gift cards in 1910; however, the decline in postcards’ popularity led them towards the creation of Valentine’s Day cards in 1913. Americans spent approximately $24 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022. Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day has grown into one of the largest commercial holidays, with people everywhere shopping online and in person for the perfect gift for that special someone. No, Valentine’s Day didn’t start as a marketing ploy. The Modern Valentine. Valentine’s Day has become increasingly commercialized over the years as businesses have seized the opportunity to market products and services related to the holiday. The impact that Valentine’s Day has on the economy is incredibly permeating. In 2019, more than $20.7 billion was spent. He wanted to compete in the growing Valentine’s Day market by making his own lane. The candies did not become heart shaped until around 1902. Around 1873, Milton S. Hershey started his first Around 1599, Shakespeare also connected Saint Valentine’s Day with being someone’s valentine in his renowned play, Hamlet. This trend continued until the day finally gained mainstream popularity in the 18th century when couples began to gift each other handmade Valentine’s cards, as pre-made cards were still uncommon. Valentine’s Day has a well-deserved reputation for being excessively commercial; in 2016, the National Retail Federation estimated that people in the U.S. would spend $19.7 billion on the Feb. 14 — good ol’ Valentine’s Day. The day of love and, for many, expressing that love. Shelves decked out in shades of pink and red. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates — the de facto gift. This tradition allegedly assigned love and romance to the red rose, setting the stage for this flower to be exchanged during the later, commercialized era of Valentine's Day. However, it remains unclear if a specific brand is responsible for first marketing flowers as part of Valentine's Day gift-giving. 1822 Image Source Valentine’s Day gifting trends 2025: Consumer spending is shifting towards personalised, experience-driven, and sustainable gifts. Discover key trends and how brands are adapting. While Valentine's Day is widely recognized as a day to show affection to loved ones through gifts, flowers, and chocolates, it is also a day that has become heavily commercialized. Retailers, florists, and chocolatiers make a significant portion of their yearly profits during the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, as people flock to buy gifts How did Valentine's Day become commercialized? These days, Valentine's Day – celebrated in not just the United States, but Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia – is a The origins of Valentine’s Day are pretty obscure. While scholars generally agree that the holiday was popularized in the 1840s in the U.K. and U.S., the specific historical roots of the How did Valentine's Day become commercialized? These days, Valentine's Day – celebrated in not just the United States, but Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia – is a The capitalistic nature that has shaped Valentine’s Day, along with the mass amount of Valentine-themed products available during the early months of the year, has created societal pressure to find the perfect gift and spend large amounts of money for February fourteenth. This has a negative impact on society for multiple reasons. In today’s digital world, the tradition of sending Valentine’s Day cards has also evolved. While traditional cards remain popular, the rise of e-cards and personalized digital messages has created new ways for people to express their love. Valentine’s Day cards continue to be a widely embraced tradition. He wanted to compete in the growing Valentine’s Day market by making his own lane. The candies did not become heart shaped until around 1902. Around 1873, Milton S. Hershey started his first "Valentine’s Day is returning to its romantic traditions, with total spending on significant others for the holiday expected to reach a record $14.2 billion in 2024," according to the annual People around the world cherish their loved ones through Valentine’s Day traditions February 14. The origins of this holiday trace back to ancient Roman and Christian customs, according to history.com. In more recent years, however, the celebration has centered around gift-giving, morphing Valentine’s Day into a commercialized holiday. The exact origin of Valentine’s Day remains unknown
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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