According to CNN, $18.6 billion will be spent on Valentine’s Day on several different purchases. $1.6 billion is the amount people will spend on candy, $1.9 billion is spent on flowers and $4.4 billion is spent on diamonds, silver and gold.

In addition to the U.S., the holiday is also celebrated in Mexico, Australia, Great Britain, France and the United Kingdom.

The holiday originated from the Roman Empire, and the legend of how it became a celebration is quite complicated. There is a legend that states back in that time period there was a priest named Valentine who was resisting the emperor by officiating marriages and keeping them secret.

His actions became known and he was then condemned to death. However, before he was put to

death, he left a note for a young lady that read “from your Valentine,” which is now how people around the world sign their Valentines.

Valentine’s Day was once known for spending time with one’s significant other, however, lately there may be more emphasis placed on buying gifts to impress others rather than spending time with the one you love.

“I feel like Valentine’s Day has become too focused on tangible gifts instead of just showing how important your significant other is to you,” senior Ben Carson said.

On average, each person in the United States will spend approximately $130.97 on Valentine’s Day gifts.

Many people feel as though Valentine’s Day is a day to impress the significant other that they love and the easiest way to do so is to buy extravagant gifts.

However, Carson said he thinks the amount of money you spend on gifts during Valentine’s season is less important than other things.

Senior Cassidy Brown said that she enjoys Valentine’s Day because anyone can participate.

“Personally, I love Valentine’s Day because it is a day based on love,” Brown said.

However, unlike Carson, Brown believes the holiday is still about spending time with a significant other rather than buying gifts.

“Valentine’s Day is more about spending time with your significant other be

cause it is not as commercialized as other holidays such as Christmas,” Brown said.

For people who do not like the holiday this day can be hard.

“Personally I do not really care for Valentine’s Day,” junior Hayli Roegetten said. “But I do think it is a good time for couples and friends to show love for one another,”

Yet, if individuals do not like Valentine’s Day or if someone is without a significant other, there are also other ways one can spend time during this day.

“I do think it is possible to have a great Valentine’s Day without a significant other,” Brown said. “You can spend it with friends and make a girls day out of it like going to the spa.”

Roettgen agrees with Brown in that Valentine’s Day does not need a significant other.

“You do not need anyone on Valentine’s Day; you can go buy yourself something,” Roettgen said.

Everyone has their own opinion of what Valentine’s Day is actually about, but there are a variety of ways people show affection to their significant others.

“Tangible gifts are easy to go buy, but most gifts will eventually go away,” Carson said. “However, spending valuable time and making memories with your significant other will simply never go away. There is no better way to show someone you care than by spending quality time with them, no matter what that means to you.”