Is  Valentine´s day  a bussiness celebration? 

February is the month of the colourful celebrations of Carnevale. Lovers and romantics of all kind, however, will be quick to remind us February is first of all the month of roses, hearts and chocolate boxes: it is the month of Saint Valentine. Absolutely adored by the most romantics, mocked by many and embraced with flair by singles, who go out in group to celebrate their freedom, Saint Valentine is, in Italy as almost  anywhere in the world, the festa degli innamorati,  the day of lovers. As such, the day of San Valentino is criticized by those who sees it pretty much as nothing more than a commercial celebration, pumped up by chocolate producers and jewelery makers (... and restaurateurs. And florists. And... very much anyone producing or selling something that can be gifted). It is, in this, associated with other quintessentially "commercial" feasts, such as Mother's day, Father's day, the 8th of March.  In truth, all of these have historical or religious roots, their meaning running much deeper than their – nowadays preponderant, one must admit– commercial aspect. Mother's Day is celebrated in Italy on the first Sunday of May, the month liturgically dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Father's Day falls on the 19th of March, the day of Saint Joseph (... I know, in the US is celebrated in June...) and the day dedicated to all women, the 8th of March, is on the anniversary of one of the largest marches for women's emancipation and labor rights, that took place in New York in 1908. It is undeniable these celebrations are today, for the most part, a heavily commercialized affair. Take Saint Valentine's day: it is estimated that, each year, about one billion Valentine's cards are sent all over the world, whereas chocolate and candy sales usually reach profits of 1.011 billion USD. About 50 million roses are sent worldwide and more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold. And these data don't even look into the hospitality and jewelry businesses, two of the main protagonist of the 14th of February's gifts exchange.

Source:

(Bezzone, F. 2016). 11th Febrary of  2016. Aviable on: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/potpourri/san-valentino