Valentine’s Day is often associated with flowers, love and overly-affectionate couples. Despite the couple-oriented aura, singles have a lot to say about the holiday and find ways to celebrate it in their own way.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that junior Nick Moses believes has turned into a product of marketing.

“I don’t really like [Valentine’s Day] because I feel like [love] is one of the last remnants of the non-material world that is still a part of our everyday lives, and then we turn it into this holiday where you have to buy gifts for people,” Moses said. “It just kind of materializes love, and I don’t really like that, so I think its just a way for card companies to make money.”

Like Moses, sophomore Ellie Britton also questions the validity of the holiday, especially for high school couples.

“In high school, everyone is really obvious about their Valentine’s Day plans, and you’ll see people walking around school with huge teddy bears and chocolates,” Britton said. “I feel like when you’re an adult, it’s more of a private, intimate experience with your significant other.”

According to Moses, Valentine’s Day puts unnecessary pressure on single people, making them feel bad that they are not in a relationship on that one day of the year.

Junior Becky Holt recognizes that Valentine’s Day also puts pressure on people in relationships.

“[Valentine’s Day] puts a lot of pressure on people in relationships because they feel they have to go the extra mile to get special and extravagant gifts for their significant other, when there should be no specific day to do that,” Holt said.

Though skepticism surrounding this day of love exists,  according to an Oracle-conducted survey of 100 students, 65 percent feel that Valentine’s Day is a legitimate holiday.

Junior Ciosa DiStasio relates Valentine’s Day to other holidays with similar purposes.

“I think [Valentine’s Day] is like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day; it’s a day to honor those we love and cherish,” DiStasio said.

According to Holt, it can be an ego-boost to be single on Valentine’s Day.

“I don’t have to go out and feel the pressure to buy someone something,” Holt said. “If I feel like it, I can go buy it for myself because who can treat me better than myself?”

According to junior Katerina Economou, Valentine’s Day can still be fun if you’re single. Many single students at South celebrate the holiday despite its romantic connotation.

Senior Olivia Rowe said,“I like making chocolate treats and giving them to my friends and family.”

Junior Steven Ziegler celebrates Valentine’s Day with South’s Singer/Dancers.

“I’m in Singer/Dancers, so [the guys] buy carnations for the girls,” Ziegler said.

Junior Ally Nathan reaps the full benefits of Valentine’s Day.

“I watch love movies and I’m forever alone, so I’ll be by myself preparing for a great sale on chocolates [February 15],” Nathan said.

Valentine’s Day is a big day for starting relationships, according to junior Chris Baylaender.

“I know a lot of single people use [Valentine’s Day] as a day to ask someone out,” Baylaender said.

Though commonly associated with romance, senior Gabbie Hill believes Valentine’s Day can be celebrated whether someone is in a relationship or not.

“Love is the only universal language,” Hill said. “It can be spoken to all.”