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The commercialization of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to trends started by influential corporations and producers. One of the earliest examples dates back to 1861, when notable chocolatier Richard Cadbury launched the “fancy box” campaign. Hallmark Cards (founded in 1907) sold Valentine’s Day gift cards in 1910; however, the decline in postcards’ popularity led them towards the creation of Valentine’s Day cards in 1913 Valentine’s Day has a well-deserved reputation for being excessively commercial; in 2016, Still, despite all that disdain, people loved Valentine’s Day. Over the years, the numbers of Valentine’s Day: One of the Largest Retail Holidays . Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated the world over. According to Hallmark, about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged every year. Americans spent approximately $24 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022. The commercialization of Valentine’s Day in the 20th century led to an explosion of greeting cards, chocolates, and extravagant gifts. Yet, at its core, the holiday remains a celebration of love When did the commercialization of Valentine’s Day begin? In the 1840s, Valentine’s Day took off in the U.S. as increased paper production and printing presses lowered costs and increased the number of pre-printed cards that people could exchange that featured fancy lace, pictures, and other decorations. The commercialization of Valentine’s Day has spurred efforts to reinterpret the holiday as something less materialistic. Singles Awareness Day, celebrated on Feb. 15, honors people who are not involved in a romantic relationship; the Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver honors the lives of missing and murdered women; and V-Day strives to end The Modern Valentine. Valentine’s Day has become increasingly commercialized over the years as businesses have seized the opportunity to market products and services related to the holiday. The impact that Valentine’s Day has on the economy is incredibly permeating. In 2019, more than $20.7 billion was spent. Written valentines began appearing in 1400, and Shakespeare referenced Valentine's Day three times in his plays in the early 1600s. In the 1800s, Esther Howland began mass-producing Valentine's Recent Valentine’s Day History. Overall, the anticipated rate of celebrating Valentine’s Day has decreased by .37 percentage points per year over the last 13 years, as shown in Figure 1, with an overall average of 54.5%. The current year, 2025, has a slight increase from 2024. Figure 1: Celebrating Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day Planning Hallmark Cards (founded in 1907) sold Valentine’s Day gift cards in 1910; however, the decline in postcards’ popularity led them towards the creation of Valentine’s Day cards in 1913 Commercialization Concerns: In recent years, there has been growing concern over the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, with critics arguing that the holiday has become overly commercialized 1. The Historical Context of Commercialization. Valentine’s Day’s commercialization began in earnest during the 19th century, driven by industrial advancements and the rise of consumer culture. Early Traditions: In medieval Europe, Valentine’s Day was marked by handwritten love notes and simple tokens of affection. Hallmark Cards (founded in 1907) sold Valentine’s Day gift cards in 1910; however, the decline in postcards’ popularity led them towards the creation of Valentine’s Day cards in 1913. The creation of the television didn’t thoroughly affect Valentine’s Day sales until the 1980’s when Hallmark created commercials to advertise their Valentine’s Day products. However, this commercialization is doing some good in itself. Based on the National Retail Federation research, Valentine’s Day shoppers will add $27.4 billion to Society's Expectations: Valentine's Day has become a societal expectation, with many people feeling the need to celebrate the holiday in some way. This has led to a culture of gift-giving and spending, which has contributed to the commercialization of the holiday. Overall, the commercialization of Valentine's Day is driven by a combination of ### Understanding the Origins of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day has its roots in ancient Roman traditions, specifically the feast of Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and love. Over time, it evolved into a day dedicated to romantic love, largely popularized by the exchange of love notes and gifts. Does the Over-Commercialization of Valentine’s Day on Social Media Leave Us Living in a Sadder, Material World? 2023 Valentine’s Day Report. 2023. National Institute On Aging. “Coping with The Commercialization of Valentine's Day. At the start of the 20th century, the average spending on Valentine's Day was moderate. People often exchanged cards and small gifts, with a focus on sentimental gestures rather than extravagant spending. However, as the 20th century progressed, the commercialization of Valentine's Day continued to expand.
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