On the other hand, I'm a teacher and we spent some time yesterday getting our mailboxes ready for today. I put on some hokey romantic music from the 40's, and we passed around the stuffed valentines doggie, and generally acted silly and had fun. I know, I am a contadiction.

The only thing good about Valentine's Day is February 15, the day the Valentine's candies go on sale for 50-80% off.

....although I agree this holiday is like most.....commercialized. I bought flowers for my wife on a regular basis cuz I like having fresh flowers in the house, too. Since I was widowed a couple of years ago, I still buy fresh flowers for the house. It just gives a home ambience, and doggonit, they smell good!

Now, they are destroyed by the feline members of our household very quickly.

I have very naughty kitties.

your feline members aren't "destroying," they're "rearranging."

Because it looks like destruction to me....but now that you mention it, they do end up in new and different places in the house.

All three sit up in the branches, watching us go about our business and sending an ornament flying once in a while to keep us aware that they are there and watching.

I'm sure they are guarding the presents.

Spot, Rosie, and Scout are all very vigilant Kitties.

So I say "hey, Cat!" and the cat just looks at me and begins to nuzzle a rose, as if that will somehow convince me that she isn't actually destroying anything....just giving it love.

Bastards...all three of them.

my flowers to a neighbor - my cats would destroy them in an hour.

Otherwise, we do nothing really 'special'.

We certainly don't spend a lot of money on crap, though I've been known to slip some special chocolates (his favorite kind) into his lunch bag on V day. He'll be happy this afternoon to find the little pack of Turtles and a note.

we'll hold hands. We'll look into each others and smile. We'll be thankful that we've shared our lives for thirty-six years. We're still having fun, and she's still the one.

Haven't bothered with the mushy stuff on VD for many years. We're there for each other and always will be, and that's all that really matters. I'll get something for our little granddaughter.
OTOH my son-in-law goes overboard for his wife--flowers, candy, gifts. Married 3 years, together for 10. It's nice to see my daughter being so adored.

manufactured commercial bullshit.
But worse than that, in my single years, when i was without someone, it is a sorry reminder of how alone you are.

In my solo days I dreaded valentines day, seemed like everyone had someone but me, especially co-workers bragging about their flowers, candy, baubles, etc. I've been with my husband for 17 years and we buy each other small presents and will enjoy a nice dinner out but probably not until tomorrow. I learned from my own experience not to brag and make a big deal about valentines day or any holiday for that matter because not everyone has someone special to share their time with.

here in NYC you pay twice as much for half the meal on VD. And forget about the mark up on roses

until the day after V day, because of restaurant markups and difficulty getting reservations. As for flowers, hubby stopped doing that years ago because of the expense and they die in a few days anyways.

n/t

if people cannot stand their own company, why would they expect anyone else to enjoy them?

We always knew Valentines Day was going to be a nghtmare in our small town. It always seemed like the men who spent the most money that night were in the doghouse by the following week. I will never forget the guy who had reservations with one woman for six and with another woman at nine.....hubby and I are spending the evening brewing a lovely chocolate porter beer while dining on nachoes.

thing (with the chocolate porter brewing) this week.

It started as hubby's hobby but now the whole family has gotten involved. Happy Valentines Day to you also.

I love craft beer. My wife doesn't drink so I can't share that "hobby" with her. She thinks I am nuts. I have about 250 beers in my cellar. Someday she might just make me move INTO the cellar. LOL.

That's how I feel about cut flowers. Honestly, I can't see spending half a week's worth of grocery money on a dozen roses that won't last two weeks. I'd rather have a potted plant.

And chocolates....yeah. Like my ass needs more of those



So for Valentines Day I got a card and a box of my favorite coffee in K-cups for the Keurig.

Fine by me.

We have our donation accounts set up on monthly or quarterly withdrawals. That's where the money goes.

We also volunteer and do a lot of local charity stuff like manage the Pumpkin Patch at church (100% of the cash goes to local charities), same with the Christmas tree sales, work at the local food bank, etc. Hopefully we do our part.

VD....... 14th; anniversary 15th; his b'day, 18th!! He likes it that way - once a year romantic all in a few days!

it's happy February. My birthday the 7th, our anniversary the 10th and Valentine's day the 14th. Though we've never been into the latter... just why????

I think some goddess must have grinned - he loves me all the time!

I'm happy for anyone who can and wants to celebrate it. My heart goes out to those who are alone and don't want to be.

those who did not got a sort of condescending oh that is too bad.

so yes i have a valintine that will get some flowers at work
not because we are romantic because we are not romantic but because she is a really best friend and i want her to be able to save face


and that is important to me

well, depending on what time zone you are in.



If you are on the west coast though you'll have to struggle for another 17 HOURS!

We obviously get stuff for our kids but our Christmas presents primarily revolve around clothes we need, things for the house we need, etc. My wife's electric skillet died in November so I bought her a new one for Christmas. I also got her a huge cast iron skillet that she's asked for for years. We got a Soda Stream machine since it cuts costs of buying soda at stores and supposedly is much better for you than traditional Coke and Pepsi. I got books and clothes. So we try to make it useful stuff...not garbage.

Meh.

It was meaningless when I wasn't single.

hated Valentine's Day. If he'd occasional bought me some random flowers it would have been nice. I like flowers. I like getting them occasionally.

A couple of years ago a co-worker somewhat anonymously gave me flowers for my birthday, and I was grateful beyond words. It was such a nice gesture, since there's no one in my life who does that.

So for all of you who don't believe in the "manufactured" holidays, create ones of your own, or do something thoughtful and appreciated at other times in the year.

Unfortunately that same husband was the most ungracious recipient of gifts, so it was difficult to give him anything. And because he never wanted anything (until he realized it was something he'd like to have or needed) he never wanted to get me anything, either.

Oh, and never buy mediocre chocolates no matter what the occasion. Buy good ones.

in divorce court!

I didn't make the past tense clear enough.

I'm now divorced, living alone, reasonably happy about that -- nothing is ever perfect.

It was the somehow getting that flowers mean a lot to me, and I love getting them but have rarely gotten them. And there's nothing at all between us, and he's only done that the once which was just right.

Save our money...the flowers will be dead in three days anyway. LOL.

I agree on the chocolate. My friend's restaurant makes Awesome bacon chocolate brownies with a Porter Chocolate Caramel sauce on top. I'll buy a couple after work. GOOD STUFF!

A little wine, candles... I'll make dinner (he asked for meatloaf) and we'll set the table with his parents' wedding china.

I decorated the front window with glittered hearts and heart lights.

In a couple of weeks we'll show our Irish and I'll decorate for St. Patrick's Day; I'll make corned beef/cabbage and soda bread, the day of.

I really like the holidays during the winter months. I have fun decorating and brightening up the dreary, cold winter days. (NE IL)

Enjoy the Lego movie- it looks like a fun one! and Happy Valentine's Day!

--yes it's over-hyped but every time Valentine's Day comes around it seems to blow away the winter blues. All that red is energizing. And I don't even eat chocolate but I still like the concept.

I try to extend the love further than only to romantic partners or spouses. Wishing that I had more people to give hearts and valentines to, not less...

DU

You're right about red, it is energizing-- maybe that's why it's my favorite color, so I'm all for any excuse to splash it around.

Plenty of normal days the rest of the year.

Its never been "big". Last year I got him his favorite gelato from the local chocolatier (who also sells hand made ice cream). This year I got him a big box of disposable footwarmers. I hand draw a card which always takes me a bit of time and reminds me to be sure to really take some time to keep the flame going.

My two daughters also get small tokens (this year they're getting earrings from the local crafter at the farmer's market) and hand drawn cards.

I don't hate the day but we've never spent more than $10 +/- on gifts so its not a "commercial" blowout that I resent (like Christmas). Its also a chance to do something thoughtful that reminds all of us that we're loved.

Edited to add that we've been married 27 years, together 28 years.

I have handmade a card for most of them since the first one 23 years ago. What we have done on the actual day just really depends on what we have going on in our lives. I usually make a special dessert for dinner for the whole family. Last year we went to a wine tasting/chocolate dinner. This year I'm making chocolate fondue.

I don't find it a bother to tell someone I love them even if I have just told them the day before.

Just like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and other similar holidays... it alienates people who don't have a *significant other* (or good relationships with their own parents /children, or have no children at all).

I have always hated it, whether or not I have someone to call my "valentine".

Manufactured "holidays" are stupid.

for someone who doesn't have close or positive connections to significant others.

All the more reason to make it an occasion that can include friends, co-workers, or just take a minute to meditate on love increasing in the world. Big Picture Love.

Nobody should feel pressure to participate, but since it is a widespread celebration--if I were alone, I would buy myself some flowers and cook a special dinner and direct some love to moi.

2 for a dollar.

we get a sitter for mini-unblock and go out for dinner once a month anyway, so the haiku thing was the only difference.

so it was essentially free as far as money is concerned, the only price was coming up with 17 syllables.

My husband and I (15 years) are quite happy without a fuss on V Day so we don't do anything really, but we do get a couple of things for each kid.

so maybe your 9 year-old knows it. The kids really like to decorate boxes, send cards to friends, and it's an early social opportunity. The better teachers and schools continue the tradition and also take the opportunity to teach appropriate lessons.

At any rate, you can make of Valentine's Day whatever you want, and you can buy or donate as you chose. I don't react as negatively to the commercialization (also true at Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.). I agree that a donation is a good alternative to frivolous spending. OTOH, my wife likes notes and cards, so I usually write something and let her know how special she is to me.

It's an opportunity to have fun and remind yourself of traditions and values. Valentine's Day has a long and interesting origin, and to me, most of the history and celebrations were more positive than negative...soooo....on balance, it's a better holiday than ones that originate as celebrations of war or honoring the dead.

Just my random thoughts.

What I hate about it is the implication that if I do not do something on this exact day I am a lousy Husband. What about the other 364 other days that people do nice things for their significant others. Forced anything always has a bitter taste.

I just found it and her great message to me. It made me feel great. I like valentines day.
You feel shitty I feel great both from the same day!

I were reserved with "spending" on this day always.
She died of small cell lung cancer in '06 just 2 weeks short of our 9th anniversary.
Manufactured Holiday or not....every yr since, I wish I'd done more.

today is a day to show the world and those who love you that love is an important issue in your life.

been with the husband for six years and we've never done anything. it's a good thing i don't care because he's about as romantic as a stick.

for one day of a year in such a short life span. I don't have HATE in my heart for any day.

And, there is nothing wrong with doing both you know. Giving of your time and money to homeless shelters, food pantries, etc. should be a year round thing. If you are doing it only on Valentine's Day, you are supporting Valentine's Day.

Here's hoping you get through this day of hatred without the hate lingering in your heart.

The best to you and your family.

An hour or so ago. She was happy I called her. The fact that I took the time to remember her made her day. She lives mostly alone, in another country.

No flowers, (well except the ones hubby bought) and hubby and I are going out for dinner, nothing fancy. For all I care it could be the local Mexican fast food. They got enchiladas to die for, with a very much a Mexico City taste to them. Trust me, place is all but fancy. I mean paper plates and plastic cutlery not fancy.

It's the idea of going out and having some quality time. (And that means jobs for some very local people)

We do go out off this day too.

And the chocolates, give me some real good dark chocolate, I like that, and those flavonoids are good for my heart.

There are days I think some folks just want to be contrarians, so be it.