And in temperate climates, the first day of spring and Harvest feasts, marked in different cultures in different natural ways.

equinoxes

There's a holiday for horses???

Count me in!

I actually like these ones the best. My family used to have cool solstice gatherings with some friends. There was always a lemon poppyseed cake, and lots of candles.

Heh yea same, I don't really care if it's Leif Erikson Day or Give Mr. Krabs All Your Money Day, I just need to know if it's a day off or not LMAO

Though some are fun, like Valentine's Day often serves as a perfect excuse to have a date night with my SO (though we often tend to actually do it a couple days after or before to avoid everyone else doing Valentine's Day date nights lolol (unless there's a good deal ofc))

In the civilised world, it's not called a holiday unless you get a day off work

I can think of quite a few ways to show love w my S.O. without consumerism.

Also, I don't see any false equivalence, just because it's been around longer doesn't make Christmass any less made up.

Edit: As many are trying to point out,

Just to be clear, by “many” you mean two. Two people replied to you… now it’s three.

Don't be so cynical, and the value you put on tradition is an entirely personal thing. Valentines day has been celebrated for hundreds of years as well so it's by definition a tradition.

We spread out days throughout the year to put emphasis on the people who are dear to us, ofcourse we should show them every single day, but it's not a bad thing to highlight a day of the year.

And since you've decided it's only about consumerism, let me give you a few ways to go above and beyond for you partner without having to resort to consumerism:

• Learning a skill related to your SO
• Revisiting a place or activity you enjoyed together, maybe throw in a well prepared picnic
• Growing your own flowers in advance
• Cooking a meal which is difficult and high effort to make

The amount of value placed in a day like today depends on relationship, but saying it's only about consumerism is such a big cop-out.

I disagree with your last sentence, but not the rest of the comment. Plenty of ways to celebrate your SO without spending. It's easier to celebrate without consumerism than Christmas or New Years for that matter.

Valentines day has a quiet a bit of history too though.

Some people believe that Valentine's day only came to be because of lupercalia, witch was a festival.

Me and my partner are going to a potluck with friends because our love should be shared with people we hold dear but that’s just us I guess.

Lunar New Year too.

If green you can actually eat them as a survival tactic.

Well, they probably largely aren't. American companies push our culture everywhere to encourage consumerist spending. Our media is systematically complicit with this. Aside from the obvious like commercials and product placement, our media also glorifies acquisition as both goal and reward. Not sure how to solve a problem? Buy a solution. Just "solved" a problem with consumption? Better reward yourself with a little treat (and some more consumption.)

Here in Brazil we have Dia dos Namorados (day of the romantic partners) which is the same as Valentine's Day, but in June.