Event Details

Exploring Valentine’s Day and its Transformation into a Consumer-Driven Holiday

💋 From Cupid to Commerce: Unpack Valentine’s Day with Us! 💋

Whether you're swooning over Cupid’s arrows or simply here for the chocolates, there’s no denying that the love-fuelled holiday of Valentine's Day has turned into quite the commercial affair...

This year, we’re taking a deeper dive into how Valentine’s Day has evolved from ancient rituals to a global celebration driven by consumer culture.

Valentine’s Day 💋 has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and love. Over time, it became associated with Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr, and evolved into a symbol of romantic love. Figures like Cupid, the Roman god of love, emerged as enduring symbols of affection and desire. However, today, Valentine’s Day is as much about consumption as it is about sentiment. From roses and chocolates to greeting cards and extravagant dinners, the holiday has transformed into a major commercial event. Millions are spent each year on gifts and experiences meant to express love—yet beneath this tradition lies a thriving industry that capitalizes on our desire to celebrate with material tokens.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we ask: How much of our celebration of love is shaped by consumer culture, and what impact does this have on the true meaning of the holiday?

Key questions we will discuss include:

❤️ How did Valentine's Day evolve from the Roman festival of Lupercalia to the modern celebration of romantic love?

💋 What role do figures like Cupid and symbols such as roses and hearts play in shaping our understanding of love?

❤️ How did Valentine’s Day transform into a major consumer-driven holiday?

💋 In what ways does marketing influence our expectations of love and romantic gestures?

❤️ What are the environmental and social impacts of mass consumption associated with Valentine’s Day?

💋 How might Valentine’s Day evolve in the digital age—will it continue to be shaped by consumerism, or will more authentic celebrations emerge?

❤️ Can we celebrate love in more meaningful, sustainable ways without the pressure of consumerism?

This is a great opportunity for students and staff to explore how our modern celebration of love intersects with marketing, materialism, and shifting cultural norms.

We hope you can encourage your students to participate in this enriching conversation.