In the US holidays are for capitalism selling its products. Often it is candy, liquor, cut flowers, or some combination, oh and decorations, cards, themed clothing...

Let it sink in that the US love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Specifically, white, conservative voting Americans love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a day that they will tell you is the Mexican 4th of July, as they get piss drunk on Corona light.

Or how we treat St. Paddy's here...

It used to be a Christian feast day honoring martyrs, so it’s just a real as Christmas. It was 100% cannibalized by capitalism, whereas the religious component remains for some who celebrate Christmas.

We can be pretty loose with our usage of "holiday" in the US. Like some others said, this one is basically just peer pressure for consumerism, lol. Nobody gets the day off work or anything like that.

I mean, I think it would be awesome if Valentine's day were a federal holiday where we all stay home and focus on those closest to us. So in addition to romantic couples, that includes self-care for folks living alone and family time for those of us with kids.

But in 2026 that idea also sounds profoundly un-American. Fuck. Some of us are still trying to be decent humans in functioning communities.