I. Significance of Valentine’s Day
St. Valentine’s Day is an eventful day to celebrate romantic love, compassion, and friendship. Every year on the 14th of February, people celebrate this day by sending expressions and messages of love and affection to partners, family, and friends.
II. Origins of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. During the time of St Valentine’s life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II was considered a pagan and created strict laws placed upon Christians. Emperor Claudius believed that the Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying. However, in secrecy, St Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the start of his reputation for believing in the importance of finding true love.
At some point, Valentine’s secretive wedding ceremonies were discovered and he was jailed for these crimes against the Emperor Claudius. Valentine was executed on 14th of February in the year 270.
III. Valentine’s Day Established
It wasn’t until more than 200 years later that the February 14th was proclaimed St Valentine’s Day. By the time Rome had become Christian, the Pope proclaimed the 14 of February to be Saint Valentine’s Day.
During the Middle Ages, poet Chaucer begin to express Valentines Day with romantic love in his poetry. This would be a beginning of the tradition of courtly love, a ritual of expressing love and admiration.
Today, Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in America and most countries around the world.
IV. Grim Outlook of Valentine’s Day 2021
Valentines Day 2021 is almost here! Only a few more days until you get to express your love and compassion to your significant other or family member. Many individuals are scrambling to write creative, love messages and purchase gifts to express their affection. Past Valentines Day’s have been an exciting time to look forward to planning and enjoying. Valentine’s Day 2021 seems to be just the opposite.
Many couples are hesitant this year to do the typical, romantic dinner celebration at a restaurant; this hesitance is due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. After all, who wants to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a public setting just to catch the coronavirus.
Even if your plan includes dining out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, restaurants may not be able to accommodate very many couples or families. For example, NYC restaurant owners are only allowed to operate at indoor capacity of 25%, which really puts a damper on the number of restaurant valentine celebrations that can occur.
In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, a recent survey from personal finance resource LendingTree suggests that 40% of Americans will skip out on the romantic holiday in order to save money. The Covid-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on many Americans finances over the past 12 months; hence, many people are choosing to omit or delay Valentine’s Day celebrations.
V. You Can Still Celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Prioritizing your finances over Valentine’s Day is actually a good thing; it shows great financial restraint and responsibility. However, what if I told you that you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day, but celebrate it the E.I. way. So how do you celebrate Valentine’s Day the E.I. way? Here are the top five (5) ways that you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day and be E.I and safe.
- Stay at home and cook a special home-cooked meal with your partner or family. Yes, that’s right – pull out the fine china, glasses, and setup a nice in-home Valentine’s Day Dinner Special. Also, put on some great relaxing music and have a great evening. A home-cooked dinner can cost 50% to 75% less than dining out and you reduce the risk of catching the coronavirus.
- Do dinner and a movie at the house. Sometimes spending quality time is the most important expression of love. Why not kick back and watch a few movies while snuggling on the coach.
- Have a non-traditional Valentine’s Day dinner by ordering food from Door Dash or ordering take-out food. Take out food will be a lot less expensive than dining in at a restaurant. While enjoying your door dash or take-out food, spend the evening reciting love poems to your partner or family.
- Challenge your family or partner to purchase each other or create a Valentine’s Day gift that cost no more than $10.00. A lot of thought will have to be put into the gift due to the lower cost; it is a fun, creative way to celebrate.
- Vow to do a service for your significant other. Instead of a gift or flowers, promise to fulfill a need or service (i.e., painting, landscaping, listening more, etc.). Many times providing a service shows more love than money or gifts.
VI. Enjoy Valentine’s Day 2021
It is not too late to plan for a great Valentine’s Day 2021 with your significant other, friend, or family member. Be E.I., but enjoy “safely” spending time with your loved one. Consider the five (5) ways described above that you can still celebrate Valentine’s Day, but in an Economically Intelligent way. Keep in mind that you are celebrating your love and affection for someone, not trying to buy love. Attempting to buy love will eventually leave you broke and in a terrible financial condition.
So celebrate Valentine’s Day 2021 wisely. Happy Valentine’s Day! Be blessed; be E.I.
Warmest Regards,
Jeremy G. Preston, CEO
E.I. Enterprise