“If I ever see another white teddy bear or another cupid, I’m gonna die,” said Macka Harper, 25, a proud-to-be-single, microbiology student.

Many Americans know Valentine’s Day as the one holiday of the year that celebrates love and friendship. It’s the day someone takes his or her special someone on a romantic outing, gives flowers, candy, or a card to express his or her heart-felt, unwavering love.

It’s also used as an excuse for singles to mingle or a day loathed by sweetheart-less people.

How things do change.

At SF State, both singles and those happily taken equally care about Valentine's Day –– they care enough to speak out against what they've deemed a "wasted holiday," and refuse to celebrate it as Valentine enthusiasts do. The day has lost its sentimental value and its meaning has been exploited by mass consumerism, students say.

“It’s just an excuse for girls to get mad at their boyfriends and make them buy them something,” said Harper. “Of course, you don’t have to literally buy them something, but that is what’s commercialized… if you’re talking about love, it shouldn’t be in a material way.”

Whether she’s in a relationship or not, Harper spends every year celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day with her mom and sister.

They buy each other gifts, which usually consist of lotion, and they all buy food, champagne, chocolate, and just chill at home, she says.

Child and adolescent development major Jamie Burnoski, 24, who recently broke off an on-and-off, long-term relationship, doesn’t understand the purpose of Valentine's Day.

Before it was called Valentine's Day, it was called Lupercalia, a big Roman festival that began on Feb. 15, celebrating the fertility god, Lupercus. Feb. 14 honored Juno, the goddess of women and marriage, according to Web sites pictureframes.co.uk and history.com.

In a second attempt of the Catholic Church to oust the holiday, it established Valentine's Day to honor St. Valentine who was martyred for marrying young couples.

“So it’s like, ‘I love you. Now here’s your rose and chocolate of death,'” said Burnoski.

Despite being in healthy relationships, some students think of Valentine's Day as any other day.

"It's dumb. What we'll do on Valentine's Day is what we'll do before or after Valentine's Day," said Erica Andrews, 19, a psychology and molecular biology student, who's been in a two-year relationship.

Liezel Rivera, 24, a liberal studies student, agrees.

"I'm pretty romantic, but to me it's just like any other day. I don't need a surprise. Everyday with my boyfriend already is a surprise, regardless of whether or not it's a holiday," she said.

Rivera and her boyfriend aren't planning anything this year.

Sam D'Kelete, 24, a single geography major, will spend the day either by boxing or practicing pool on this holiday of love. He says he doesn't even know what day it is, nor what it's supposed to represent.

"I don't even know who Mr. Valentine is," said D'Kelete. "People walking around wearing red. I don't want to see someone wearing something that represents internal organs; blood or hearts and shit."

Last year, theater arts major Joey Ingram, 22, was tired of feeling miserable without a Valentine so he gave out free hugs. His theme was, "I don’t have a valentine, you don’t have a valentine, here’s a hug.” However, that’s something he would do every day, not just on Feb. 14.

“Valentine’s is suppose to be this day where you show your love to your one and only and all that crap, but then it’s like neglect all the 365 days of the year that you should be doing that anyway,” Ingram said.

More and more couples are too busy with work and school to plan for the big day. The ideal thing to do is to not do anything romantic at all.

"Me and my girlfriend haven't planned anything because we don't have any money right now or the time," said Amer Babber, 26, an international business student. "I'll just be sitting at home, with friends, drinking beer, and watching TV."

To him, Valentine's Day is just another capitalistic holiday, especially for flower, candy, and card industries.

"It's just another way for corporations to make money," said Babber.

The flowers sold on Valentine's Day are worth nearly $400 million a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Candy is another big seller for the day. And 180 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year.

Industrial arts student Bhavess Chhiboo, 20, has been with his girlfriend for four years. His extravagant investments haven't reaped any returns, though.

Of the four years he’s been with his girlfriend, he has always given her a gift. But he says he has yet to receive something from her.

Two years ago, he bought his girlfriend a diamond bracelet worth $1,300.

"It's just another big day to pamper women… so much more is expected from guys," said Chhiboo.

According to aboutflowers.com, 84 percent of men buy for their wives or significant others, while only 24 percent of women buy for their husbands or significant others.

Derek Datangel, who was single last year, planned a “Fuck Valentine’s Day” party. He posted it all over Myspace, but his plans didn’t follow through because he didn’t have enough people attending. This year, he’s taken, but his attitude remains the same.

“I don’t like it," Datangel said. "I’m convinced Hallmark constructed the holiday to sell cards.”