Is Valentine’s Day Really a Hallmark Holiday?

A well-deserved reputation for excessive commercialism surrounds Valentine’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $19.7 billion on the holiday in 2016, with $1.1 billion on cards alone. However, despite the big budget sensation, it’s not a “Hallmark holiday” created solely to move merchandise. Its roots as a romantic occasion for lovers are more than 600 years old. …