Valentine's Day in the modern era

Each year, once again Valentine's Day comes around on 14 February. Although its history has stronger religious overtones, from Geoffrey Chaucer's time onward it has been a moment of expressing romance between lovers. However for the 20th and 21st Century, it is a time of the sound of ringing cash registers as ridiculous sums are spent on ridiculously marked up flowers, cards, chocolates, dinners and just about anything with a heart shape. The original meaning of St Valentine's Day has long been lost with the overbearing commercialisation of the day. For many without Valentines (or partners committed to the practice of sending flowers) the day can be a source of frustration and an ever present reminder of singledom.