Love has no price yet it’s never free.
Every 14th of February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. When love is our utmost priority, our pockets get heavier and our outgoings are merely tighter – but we still celebrate. It has been a part of our culture and tradition, as this serves as an opportunity to give and show love to others.
But, is it necessary to give gifts?
Economically speaking, Valentine’s Day will be one of the most expensive dates after Christmas Day, wherein people consume a lot by buying gifts for their loved ones. According to Picodi.com, an international e-commerce company that includes the Philippines in 38 countries that they surveyed, it shows that on average, Filipinos spend ₱1,421 on Valentine’s Day gifts with men spending about 62% (₱1,843) more than women (₱1,139). Among the gathered answers, their go-to gifts are food delivery, dinner at a restaurant, flowers, tickets to the cinema, letters, and sweets.
Diving into its roots, what is the sole purpose of this celebration? Is it just about fancy gifts? Shiny shoes? Branded clothes? Bouquet of lovely roses? Or a full-of-cavity sweets treat?
Reflect. Retrospect. Re-assess. Perhaps this year’s celebration of love could be the time to allow yourself to read more between the lines. To look outside the box, to re-learn the art of appreciating little things, and to just let things flow on their own.
There’s no wrong in being extra as long as your expenses are within your means considering that we’re in these trying times. Besides, showing love can be in different ways and forms. It’s not always the tangibles.
Love has no price yet it’s never free. There’s always a price to pay for what both parties are receiving and giving because when we love someone, we should be brave enough to pay the costs that it brings. A cost of our time, commitment, honesty, and mutual trust.
So go ahead, build up your walls so high, strengthen your standards for love, acknowledge your boundaries, & spend within your means…..and love like every day is Valentine’s Day.
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Written by: Moises Caleon
Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura
Sources:
Picodi.com (2021) Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: expectations vs. reality. https://www.picodi.com/ph/bargain-hunting/valentine-s-day-in-2021
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