<\/a>Derrick Walton
\n<\/strong>MC Practicum\/Staff Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

The feeling of love and the smell of money is in the atmosphere. Yes, Valentine\u2019s Day is fast approaching.<\/p>\n

And while love may seem priceless to many couples, it is actually a big business.<\/p>\n

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), consumer spending on the day of \u2018love\u2019 in 2014 was slightly higher than in 2013. Consumers spent $134 on average, up 1.3 percent from 2013, but only 54 percent celebrated the holiday, down from 60 percent. That deflated total spending by 7 percent, to $17.3 billion.<\/p>\n

This year, NFR projects that Americans will spend an average of $199, up 13 percent from last year. Online shopping is expected to be a big boost to the sales this year.<\/p>\n

Jillian Travillion, a sophomore psychology major from Greenwood, Miss. does not believe Valentine\u2019s Day should be all about the dollar.<\/p>\n

\u201cValentine\u2019s Day to me is a designated day to express extra love, care, and compassion for a special person or persons,\u201d said Travillion.<\/p>\n

Spending time and money on the ones we love are typical in today\u2019s celebration of the holiday but when did the idea of romance come into being?<\/p>\n

According to history.com, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine\u2019s Day at the end of the 5th century. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds\u2019 mating season, which added to the idea that Valentine\u2019s Day should be a day for romance.<\/p>\n

Some JSU students are eagerly awaiting the day of love.<\/p>\n

\u201cI plan to take my girlfriend to the movies to see Fifty Shades of Grey and out to eat at Bonsai,\u201d said Phillip Naylor, a senior business management major from Jackson, Miss. said,<\/p>\n

Others have not-so romantic plans for the day or day after.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will wait until after Valentine\u2019s Day when the flowers and things are half off and then take her to the movies,\u201d said Delbert Griffin Jr., a senior speech communications major from Jackson, Miss.<\/p>\n

Whether you have been shot by Cupid, or spending this Valentine\u2019s Day alone, remember that love is the real meaning behind the day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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