The ecstatic union of two people in love has always been the highest goal of earthly existence, the stuff of myth and legends. So leave it to Hallmark to capitalize on our entire romantic needs. In fact this Valentine’s Day try not to give into monetary expectations and do something that’s more meaningful.

Let someone into your heart instead of your wallet. So celebrate an anti-Valentine’s Day by taking a look at the following suggestions for how to celebrate an anti-Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s has turned into less than a day to share with loved ones and more like a day to share cards and gifts.

Just imagine for $99.95 you can buy your honey a gift package of “Because I love you” two-dozen long-stemmed romantic red roses with two plush teddy bears locked in an embrace. Godiva Chocolatier is advertising a large satin heart-shaped box, which includes 43 pieces of chocolates for $85. We have all seen the commercials on television telling us that if we don’t spend our money we wont be loved. We all know the commercial by Kay Jeweler’s that says, ” Every kiss, begins with Kay.” –

So this Valentine’s Day try some of these non-conventionally romantic suggestions for an anti-Valentine’s day. You can start the celebration off early by going to the Crest Theater at 11th and K street at 9 p.m. on Friday the 13th to see the Trash Films double feature of “Friday the 13th” part one and two shown in stab-o-vision. Get there early to participate in fun pre- show activities like singing camp songs or earn merit badges from the theater to you. There’s nothing like a scary movie to excite your passions on screen and off.

When the movie lets out, instead of spending your money on the Classic American first-date package that advertises dinner and a movie as an equation for romantic results, why not go out to breakfast instead. Here you can share a cozy booth in a 24-hour diner while you both ravish your bacon and eggs during a 4 a.m. breakfast. Then while you’re digesting find a quiet spot and take a nap together while the sun comes up.

You don’t need to spend $99.95 to tell your loved one that you love them? Chances are, if you’ve spent that kind of money, the price of the sentiment has become as artificial as the material object that you just bought. Instead you can buy them something that you know that they want and would appreciate.

“The best sort of presents include what the two people in the relationship share together, this could be a joke or trip some place,” English professor Jason Geiger said.

On Valentine’s Day it seems like it’s not enough to just have that person and appreciate them, but that people have come to expect extravagant gifts to celebrate something that should already be there.” I wonder if it was enough in 1900 to send someone a card, but now in 2004 we are expected to buy a $85 gift basket to show someone we care,” Geiger said

The heart is the symbol of your emotional attachment and love for that person. Hence, if you give someone you’re heart it means you can’t live without them-literally.

Buy them something that you know they will like because Valentine’s Day is about showing someone that you appreciate them. Whether this is to make them breakfast in bed, buying a “Weekend at Bernie’s” DVD, a homemade card or to just simply spend some quality time with them. While your date may appreciate flowers and candy some quality time with them is more important than what you may buy them, because if there is no emotion behind the gift its just an object really.