Text Messages Trump Hallmark Cards

Are the halcyon days of guilt induced Valentine’s Day purchases from Hallmark numbered?

Today’s teenagers are either too cheap to buy cards and candy, or they are smarter than most adults and see through the marketing campaigns that have led consumers to spend nearly $14 billion this year on Valentine’s Day purchases.

This year my wife and I added approximately $100 of our hard earned money to the national total spent on Valentine’s Day gifts. My wife received a beautiful flower display from Locker’s, and I received some of my favorite candy.

Boring? Probably. But, this is fairly typical of what folks in our generation do on Valentine’s Day.

But, times have definitely changed because technology has made Valentine’s Day a real-time celebration. My sixteen year old daughter received several loving text messages from her boyfriend. She also showed me the sweet, caring thoughts that he posted on his MySpace page.

What a clever way to earn relationship points! Why didn’t I think of that?

The virtual thoughts that he sent were more personal than standard card fare and touched her in a way that a store bought card could not. Apparently taking the time to write your own verses has merit to the younger, more sensible generation.

Although text messages, virtual greeting cards, and posted love notes are not physical gifts, I believe that the emotional investment in these messages can far outweigh the sentiment found in cards and flowers.

Today’s teenagers have the right idea. I think that using technology to convey their personal feelings is akin to the age-old romantic tradition of writing love letters to your sweetie.

While some deride virtual messages as cheap or uncaring, I believe that the people who send them are merely using the current technology to convey their feelings. If people did not use modern technology for love notes, we would all have stacks of stone tablets or papyrus scrolls from our sweetheart stacked in the closet.

The only difference between virtual messages and greeting cards is that you need a jump drive to store them instead of a cardboard box or hope chest.

I would rather receive a touching e-mail that was written just for me than open a card that thousands of other people are also receiving. Personal messages are just more…..well…..personal.

Hallmark, your days are numbered. The Me-generation may be greedy, but they have definitely got the right idea about romance.