The days leading up to Valentine’s Day are filled with people either expressing excitement or dread. Single ladies hate the very idea of couples spending unnecessary money to show their appreciation for just one day.

However, there are similar activities that single girls do to defy Valentine’s Day, including going to the movies for “Gal-entine’s Day” or buying their friends chocolate boxes. As much as these anti-Valentine’s girls complain about the day, their anti-Valentine’s Day activities only promote the “holiday” and contribute to the extra expenses.

The expectation for couples to do something special exists for opponents of the day too. The same girls who think that going on a date for Valentine’s Day is a waste of money do the same things with their friends as a form of protest. They want to say, “I don’t need a boyfriend.”

Although I do think it’s positive for single girl friends to support each other during a day focused on relationships, I think it’s self-contradictory to complain about the ridiculousness of the day while supporting it when it favors their interests.

There are also people don’t think Valentine’s traditions are meaningful, even for the couples honoring them. They say that teddy bears are useless and that couples should spend more time talking to each other and doing things that are worthwhile.

I don’t think that Valentine’s Day is a complete waste; it’s important to take time away from the regular course of a relationship to just focus on the love. It’s not that couples only show their once a year, but it’s a day where love has the spotlight. So go ahead and buy giant teddy bears for your girlfriend or celebrate “Gal-entine’s Day” at the movies. Or avoid the festivities altogether. You do you. Just keep an open mind.