battlemaiden Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I need some partners in crime on this one. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I need some partners in crime on this one. Jo It just seems so...... manufactured. I'm going to have to warn the boys that they might need to learn all about it when they start dating. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingersnap Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We don't do anything much at all. You're not alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancypants Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 It just seems so...... manufactured. I'm going to have to warn the boys that they might need to learn all about it when they start dating. Laura Those are generally my feelings as well. We don't do cards or anything but sometimes we use it as an excuse to have a quiet meal alone... this year we are going out because some friends offered to watch the kids and we never turn that down! LOL :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryM Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We don't do anything here. I do buy some candy for kiddos though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jail warden Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I do enjoy a date night with hubby if possible, but I've gotten to the point that Valentine's Day is just one more holiday that gets pushed for the consumers in us. We are supposed to just buy more and more and more stuff. When does it ever end?! Money has been tight, so the last two years we've done nothing. My husband is a gift-giver though so this is a bit tougher for him. Although I think he's finally learning there are other ways to show love other than spend money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janna Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Dh and I have never done anything special for this day. Same with "Sweetest Day" (what's up with that one!?). However, I do always get the kiddos a treat of some sort, usually not in the candy range, but more of a small gift - a book, lipsmackers, hot wheel car etc.... I will put it in a cute gift bag and when they wake up it's somewhere they can easily spot it in their rooms in the morning. Tomorrow, we are making cut-out cookies but only because I didn't have the energy or drive to do much at Christmas time and I promised them we would bake for V-day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I was thinking of posting the same thing earlier today.... Anyone else dislike Valentine's Day or is it just me? It seems like every time I turn around there's some contrived holiday requiring that I go out and buy a card/s. Has anyone else noticed how **expensive** cards are?!?!?! That alone makes me irritable. Then there's the problem of finding an appropriate one. UGH! I hate it. Then I have to be sure the kids make cards for their grandparents and spinster aunt & uncle, when they just want to make a card for one grandpa, one cousin and an uncle. It's the expectations that irritate me. Unfortunately, my dh is much more sentimental & always gets me an elaborate card & flowers. The thought is very nice and I do appreciate it, but I'd so much rather have a book or a couple of hours to myself. Mostly I'd just rather be free of the hassle of doing anything on some contrived day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. H. Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Valentine's Day could be a special meal, or a fun meal (we are doing fondue). I use it as an opportunity to tell the kids how grateful I am for Dad and my family...it's love all around. I know, I do tell them I love them every day, but I don't see anything wrong with taking special days to make an extra effort. It helps to bring us out of the blahs and keeps us from falling into a rut of work-home-school-sleep that we tend to get into with dh's busy schedule and our busy lives with five kids. I also use this time as an opportunity to teach the kids about giving and not expecting anything in return. They make cards for Dad (and me, when they remember), and they love telling him all week that they made him a secret card that is hidden. He makes a big show out of reading their cards, and keeps them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I need some partners in crime on this one. Jo Absolutely nada here. It's a Hallmark holiday. I'm not buying. I don't need a certain day to express love and appreciation for my spouse, and I certainly don't need to buy a bunch of useless cr*p to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat19 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I don't even have a special meal planned or anything. I try to get the kids something, but haven't been anywhere to get them anything yet I do have a Dr's Appt tomorrow morning, so I'm sure we will be out and about if the weather is alright(snow tonight, so we will see). And my dad wants to take me and the kids to lunch.. But as for night time at home, nothing planned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I need some partners in crime on this one. Jo Our anniversary is Feb 23rd, so we skip VD and celebrate our anniversary instead. The whole VD thing feels fake and manufactured to me. I don't like being told when to celebrate the loves in my life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jami Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Dh and I don't really do anything. But I do sort of like to use the holidays (Hallmark and otherwise) as chances to celebrate my children. I'm not naturally a celebratory person, so a few days a year to be nudged to bake special cookies, make a craft, go out for a fun breakfast, etc. are good "pushes" for me. My in-laws are the big gift givers and send a box of little gifts and treats for holidays. So I usually don't give much in the way of actual gifts, but I do want to my kids to remember that we had "special days" once in awhile. Which I'm not sure I'd do otherwise. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 For us it's a kid's holiday. We had a bunch of kids over yesterday to decorate cookies, and my kids have fun making cards and decorations, and we're going to get a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's for fun. If I can find the little heart tins from last year, I'll bake muffins in them for breakfast. But my husband and I don't do anything. Our first-date anniversary is 2/28, so we always do something special then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We do nothing, though this year the girls asked for a box of peppermints and we obliged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I've mentioned before that my dh is an amazing gift-giver -- incredibly thoughtful and sweet about such things. Valentine's day has never been a big deal for me, but he has done some really sweet things over the years (so more notable than others). I'm actually *worried* about this, because, sigh, as usual I have no ideas for him, and I generally end up feeling guilty. :( I don't do much for the kids (other than read the Robert Sabuda Saint Valentine book to them), but their grandparents sent them some little cards. Anyway, if anyone has any fabulous last minute ideas for dh... ;) (I've also got our anniversary coming up next month. As far as I'm concerned, just going to dinner together is awesome, but it's so clear that the way dh shows love is, often, with thoughtful gifts, I'd hate for him to ever get the impression that I care less about him because I don't do that so well as he...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenJac1501 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We do nothing we stay home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlemaiden Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 The Diamond commercials. How could I forget the diamond commercials. It's painful. Commercialism at it's ugliest. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jami Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Oh I absolutely love to do special things for my hubby, Patty! :) And I love to be wooed myself. Valentine's Day has never been the day that seems to bring that out in us though. Anniversary, birth of children, birthdays, just-because days...bring on the cards, flowers and chocolates! :D My children did pick out a card for dad and a couple of treats he likes more than regular Valentines candy (Reeses Pieces). I certainly don't think those that choose to skip the more "Hallmark" days have any superiority issues, anymore than those who pull out all the stops love their familes more. Certainly a "to each his own and as the budget allows" sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 The Diamond commercials. How could I forget the diamond commercials. (Shudder!) Those commercials make my skin crawl... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jami Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Definitely! "He went to Jared!" *insert gagging emoticon* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 That's a more generous spirit, truthfully. And there is nothing wrong with doing something on a special day. It might not be my choice to celebrate it, but I wouldn't feel like it was being pushed so hard. It was when my kids started getting Valentines' cards from their grandparents that I really felt like it was just yet another commercial enterprise. As a Brit, I have come to appreciate Thanksgiving: eating a good meal with family. No pressure to buy beyond the food. That's an expression of love, to me. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Pretty close to nothing. I got each child a tiny Whitman sampler shaped like a heart--the ones for 50 cents. DH and I typically do nothing or a teeny chocolate something. I'm not much into Valentine's Day. The only time we really did it up was when we were dating. I refuse to get into the card thing for relatives for a minor holiday. Cards are bad enough on birthdays! You either pay for hugely expensive ones or have to oversee them making decent ones (since they aren't exactly friendly to homeschooling I feel a lot of pressure for them to do their best). Oy. Fuggedaboudit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We don't do Valentines Day. It's my DH's birthday and we celebrate that instead. That means we eat out at the restaurant of his choice. That's it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basketmaker Amy Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We don't celebrate much either. We may go candy shopping on Friday...when it's 50% off! I usually give the boys a candy bar or something simple. The holidays have become too commercialized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen sn Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Wonderful thread. I am not alone. I told my man that I just wanted to have a cold bedroom and a warm bed to snuggle in. That's it. Will get dd chocholate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Although when I was younger my dad used to make *hallmud* cards and we all would look forward to getting those. It was his sense of humor and art work and we loved getting them. Dh and I are buying a house so that pretty much covers the holiday's for '08. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 My husband feels it is a conspiracy by the Hallmark Corporation. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 In fact tonight Dh asked if it was ok we skipped it this year :-) the kids have a party tomorrow that we made homemade valentines for and they got loads of candy at Awana's tonight, but nothing here at home. no money for it really. but we are a loving family and don't one day to express it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeverywoman Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 My husband does not celebrate Valentine's Day, because I broke up with him 20 years ago, while we were dating on that very day. Build a bridge and get over it. That was forever ago and I've since birthed you two children and stretched parts of myself all out of shape doing so. If anyone should be holding a grudge, it should be me! :D Instead, he says he celebrates the day we got back together, Feb. 16. We'll see what Cassanova has in store for me on that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 For us Valentine's is definitely a kid holiday. We do kid card exchanges, cookies, small toys and dressing in valentine colors. My dh and I don't do anything except participate in the kids' stuff. I DO buy good chocolate and flowers on the 15th cuz I love a bargain. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Nothing here. The kids make Valentines for their friends and that is it. Now I am feeling guilty that I don't make a card for my kiddos. Sheesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diann Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Dh and I don't generally do anything for each other. We always buy the boys some chocolate, though. Laura in China, I'm with you on Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday because I cook and share it with my family and friends. What could be better than that?:) Diann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna in the boonies Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Dh and I don't do anything, though we do give the kids a couple of (very) small things. We actually 'did' V-Day this evening, as our oldest was born on Valentine's Day and we want to keep her birthday, her birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieAir Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Sometimes I buy sale candy for the kids and dh the day after. I hate the idea of a holiday manufactured by greeting card companies and jewelers. Sometimes dh and I do something very small for each other. He'll bring me a single rose picked up on the way home from work or I'll make him something I know he likes for dinner and give him a homemade card. No one feels badly if the other doesn't observe the "holiday" with cards and gifts. We'll probably have a private celebration after lights out;), but that's not necessarily different from any other day of the year. I did specifically tell dh that I didn't want any candy this year. Oh, I've seen them in the stores and I've been craving it, but I feel the need to lose about 10 pounds and eat a little healthier. If he did buy me chocolate, I wouldn't be able to resist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 If it were up to me, the whole thing would be cancelled! I used to be totally into it, but then I got to wondering how and why this became such a big deal. I'm rather skeptical that it's just a huge money maker for the card, candy and flower industry. Now my dh, otoh, had my kids make valentine's cards for his mother and sister. My parents send them. But I told my dh a few years ago not to buy me flowers then because the prices are so jacked up. He can wait until it's all over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonia Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Valentine's Day could be a special meal, or a fun meal (we are doing fondue). I use it as an opportunity to tell the kids how grateful I am for Dad and my family...it's love all around. I know, I do tell them I love them every day, but I don't see anything wrong with taking special days to make an extra effort. It helps to bring us out of the blahs and keeps us from falling into a rut of work-home-school-sleep that we tend to get into with dh's busy schedule and our busy lives with five kids. I also use this time as an opportunity to teach the kids about giving and not expecting anything in return. They make cards for Dad (and me, when they remember), and they love telling him all week that they made him a secret card that is hidden. He makes a big show out of reading their cards, and keeps them all. My biggest reason for celebrating - it is the middle of the winter and I need something to give me a little "pick me up" and making little cards and planning a special meal for my family gives me a little lift that I find really necessary in the middle of our frozen winter weather! This is what we do. We don't buy anything (besides a bag of conversation hearts - I love those). We make our cards for each other - and everyone gets cards, it's not just a couples things. dd and I just finished making cards for the grandparents today. I will make a special meal for dh because I don't often do big meals. So, we will share our cards and have a nice meal. That's enough for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabeth in IL Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I don't! In fact tomorrow night my husband won't even be home. He has to work than go to class. I might see him at 10:30 pm if I'm still up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*anj* Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Naaah, we don't do much. I will make a heart shaped dessert, and give the kids some chocolate. I know they've made some Valentine's. I'll make a slightly nicer than usual dinner, but that's about it...nothing costly or excessive. Anything that I do will be for the kid's sake because they think it's fun. We agree with the others who said that it's just a Plastic Hallmark "Holiday." Dh says that he resents being told that on February 14 he is supposed to spend money to prove his love for me. I agree. How many people are out spending money they can't afford, buying stuff that the other person doesn't even want or need? It's insanity. Oh, and the best things in life are freeeee!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyboys Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 that we send homemade cards to family members. We started to do it a few years ago when ds would receive them from some friends and family. The ones I make sure to send things to are the older single folks, especially those over 50 women, who may feel it more keenly than those with a relationship/family. Sorry if it offends the feminists, but we just want them to know they're loved and to get some mail in this season. Otherwise, we do try to avoid the big commercial holidays, especially the ones *requiring* the $5 cards!:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev in B'ville Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 This actually goes back to our first year together, dating. We had a rather large disagreement that day. I won't bore you with the details. Anyway, the next day we made up and celebrated UnValentine's Day, since we had sort of missed the boat. 20 years later, we're still celebrating UnValentine's Day. I do have to say I'm really tired of the same Pajama Gram and Teddy Gram commercials year after year after year.....I groan every time I see one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We've never done much for Valentine's Day either, and I always kind of agreed with the idea that it was just a way for Hallmark to get people to buy stuff. But this year I decided to get books on Valentine's day for our reading for the week. We got a few on St. Valentine and who he was (or at least the legends about him). I actually found that really interesting and so have been a little more into it this year. My husband and I are going to see U2-3D on Saturday and calling that our Valentine's Day date...although it's really just a convenient day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket1178 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Hubby and I talked about this last night. We usually rush out at the last minute and try to do something for eachother because, well, that's what we're suppose to do, right? We decided not to. End of story. We are just treating it like any other day. We will be kind to one another and love eachother and let eachother know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We don't really do anything. This past weekend we went out to dinner because it has been stressful moving and then my dd had surgery on her ankle, etc. It was nice to go out to a nice restaraunt and enjoy a meal. We also went to Lowes and bought a new storage cabinet for me. My dh was putting it together on Sunday night and he was discussing Valentine's day with me. He was thinking of a few ideas. I told him that, honestly, I was happy with the wonderful meal we had gone out to and I loved my storage cabinet. I told him that was all I needed. (Well, actually, he is getting me another storage cabinet because they didn't have anymore in stock!) How is that for romantic? I don't want roses, candy or wine. Just give me shelving to store toys and art supplies and I will fall over in love with my dh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Dh and I have never done anything special for this day. Same with "Sweetest Day" (what's up with that one!?). My dh asked me out on Sweetest Day in 1986. We don't really celebrate it, but we do remember that is where it all began. I always thought Sweetest Day was just for teenagers and maybe youngish 20 somethings. I didn't know there were older adults doing the whole gift thing for that day! UGH! Just give me some more shelves for storage please! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycoffeechic Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We usually don't do anything, but this year I did buy a couple of helium balloons just so we could talk funny:D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I need some partners in crime on this one. Jo I know you asked who doesn't celebrate the day but I thought I'd chime in just to say that we DO celebrate it..... as our wedding anniversary ;) . Happy 27th to dh and me:D . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 if we did dinner last night instead of tonight?:D My dd and her dh are going to a comedy club tonight and taking one of dd's best girlfriends with them. That almost counts, doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Happy Anniversary, Anna!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PariSarah Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 The ones I make sure to send things to are the older single folks, especially those over 50 women, who may feel it more keenly than those with a relationship/family. What a lovely idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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