While romance takes the spotlight in the U.S., Mexico’s approach to Valentine’s Day goes beyond romance by celebrating the powerful bonds of both love and friendship in a colorful and inclusive way.
In Mexico, on Feb. 14 they celebrate El Día del Amor y la Amistad, translated to The Day of Love and Friendship. It is a day to celebrate not only with your partner but with friends and family. The holiday is more inclusive of different types of relationships. Love comes in many forms so being able to celebrate the holiday with more than just romance is more welcoming.
In the US, Valentine’s Day is fully focused on romantic relationships. In society, you are either celebrating the day with your partner or disliking the fact of being single. So there becomes a split on the holiday. The split even created a new holiday, Galentine’s Day, which started from the show Parks and Recreation in 2010. After the episode aired, American society coined the holiday in order to feel included in the romantic holiday.
Going back to Mexico, they still do have a boom in sales of flowers, gifts and balloons like in the U.S. However, they have more traditions from their culture. As stated in The Latin Times, a tradition is painting the town red, in the towns and cities “[covers] shops, restaurants and almost all the public places in red accessories and decors. It is common to see banners, balloons, flowers and other things in red when they celebrate Valentine’s Day.” The full community of the towns and cities get together where the public squares turn into stages, and the streets are filled with music, laughter and bonding moments with all ages. With Mexico being a colorful country already, El Día del Amor y la Amistad, brings in even more color and music for the people to enjoy.
As Valentine’s Day happens this year, remember to show love to your partner but also to your family, friends and even yourself. Let this be a more fun holiday rather than a holiday where you eat ice cream on your couch because you didn’t get a Valentine’s date. Celebrate, and party with everyone you love and appreciate.
