The Valentines Day hoax

Valentine's Day is a holiday created by Hallmark and Ghiradelli to make money and generate guilt. It should be boycotted and avoided.

Now, before you break out the pitchforks and torches, let me explain.

I believe that if you love someone – romantic love, friendship love, sibling love, etc. – you should be sharing that love with that person (or persons) all year long – not just on one officially designated holiday. And the great thing is that you can do this without buying a card or flowers or chocolate. You don't have to spend a dime to show someone that you care about them. Think about it. There are a million ways to say "I love you."

Why save all of that love for just one day?

Why not …

Send a text to someone you haven't seen in a while letting them know you are thinking of them.

Clean the snow or frost off of their car in the morning.

Put a post-it note with a joke on it in their bag or lunchbox.

Fold laundry or put away dishes without being asked.

Spreading your love out over the entire year prevents panic-shopping on February 13 – when everything is already picked over and the only candy left are the conversation hearts made out of chalk. Gee … what does that really say to your significant other about how you feel about them?

You see, if you buy into the idea that Valentine's Day is the only day to express your feelings, then you are missing out. Plus, you're just lazy. If you use Valentine's Day as your yearly obligation to buy something for your special someone, you've turned your "love" into a duty. So, I guess once you have fulfilled that "duty," you're off the hook for another year. Wow. How romantic and meaningful.

So, ditch the unnecessary "tradition" of making Valentine's Day into this end-all, be-all, "I have to buy something for my significant other because it is a recognized holiday" expectation – and celebrate Valentine's Day EVERY DAY with little expressions of love that don't cost a thing.

Opinion by Michelle Burress