Valentine's Day

[Stella]

So, I'm curious...

How do you (if you do) celebrate Valentine's Day? Does the holiday matter to you? Do you like roses and Godiva or would you prefer not to engage in commercialism? Do you celebrate together or have any traditions???



Our first year together, SO gave me a few flowers every day for a week. Some he picked, some he bought - roses and tulips (my favorite.) He made me a nice romantic dinner and set up a table with candles, etc. in my apartment as a surprise. I got more flowers and I also got chocolates and a couple little gifts.

Last year, SO had a test (for his Master's year) the morning after Valentine's Day and I worked that night, so we celebrated the weekend after. We did teddy bears and chocolates and gifts and flowers and stuff.

This year, I don't care as much. I told him that he doesn't need to take me out to some fancy restaurant or spend $100 on roses and Godiva that are price-hijacked for that one day. Instead, I told him I wanted to go to Red Robin (a burger place we frequent and from where we have very fond memories together) and that daisies would be fabulous.

I used to be obsessed with Valentine's Day because I had never had a very good one, but now that I have had all the planning and the gifts, it seems overrated. I think SO is happier this way anyway and hopefully it won't be stressful to plan. I always get hyped up over these kinds of events anyway and it makes it hard to meet my rediculous expectations, so I end up disappointed. I'm actually looking forward to just having fun with my baby and relaxing together, not to mention saving some money.

DH is opposed to Valentines Day b/c he says it's a Hallmark holiday. I've never been a fan b/c of the years that I was alone and basically a month was spent pounding it into my head that I'm alone, alone, alone and no one loves me.

That said, I am a BIG fan of presents, so we compromised and decided to celebrate "Pitchers & Catchers Report to Spring Training Day" (for major league baseball). It always happens right around VD, so we avoid the hiked up prices, I get a funny story to tell, and I still got flowers delivered to the office. We haven't celebrated really since I stopped working, due both to lack of funds and lack of the office competitive spirit thing I had going on.

I think it is a good excuse to do something nice for each other but that is about it. Oh, and a good reason to indulge in some chocolate. I don't like to go out for dinner just to be at a crowded restaurant and pay higher prices. In the past we have a nice dinner at home on or around Valentines, depending on schedules.

[DCJenn]

Nope- don't do a whole lot- I'd rather not have him spend 4 times the regular price for flowers.

I'll probably make us a nice dinner or something- I feel like we should do something but I think I'd rather hire a sitter and go out on the weekend before he leaves.

Jenn

This is the first year we'll actually in the same country for it. I've never had a good one and it makes me feel miserable listening to all the valentine messages on the radio, i know how sad am i!!! but this year we are celebrating, we are going to barcelona, SO asked me what i wanted to do on the day and i said, enjoy not being woken early by the toddler dude and clock up on the hours of :wildthing I've missed over the last 7 months....its the hormones, they're driving me wild! literally.

[MissCrabette]

We started dating two weeks before Valentine's day and he went all out for it, so it does have a special meaning to us. That said, we somehow managed to be apart from each other on that day on all but one or two occasions.

I agree with Jenn's husband when he says that this is a holiday fabricated by Hallmark. As some people say, we don't need Valentine's day to remind us to do nice things for our significant other. On the other hand, how many times do we actually remember to do this unless we have a fabricated holiday looming over our heads?

[reciprocity]

DH is opposed to Valentines Day b/c he says it's a Hallmark holiday. I've never been a fan b/c of the years that I was alone and basically a month was spent pounding it into my head that I'm alone, alone, alone and no one loves me.

We always called it "Single Awareness Day" in college for that exact reason.

We always celebrate but hardly ever go out -- too crowded and expensive. I do sometimes feel like, at least in our house, its become too much focused on me - - that Valentine's day seems to be more about the wife. Which suggests to me that this might be a token way of relieving guilt about quasi-neglect the rest of the year!!

[alison]

Bring it on! I like any excuse to go out to a fancy dinner.
We usually don't go *on* Valentine's Day, but either a day closest to it, or the weekend closest to it.

They don't do over the top stuff in Germany, so I have NEVER had my dh profess his love to me in a gushy, Hallmark, down-on-one-knee way. It's basically "sign here" for him.

[Vishenka69]

The only time we celebrated V-day the "proper" way was our first time. After that we had a tradition of going to a nice dinner with another couple. The tradition held for 6 years until they broke up. Last year we decided to continue with him and his new girlfriend (also a friend from college). Don't know if we'll do it again this year.

We're kinda geeky...we always celebrate it as a family and just celebrate the fact that we all love each other....methinks that we only have a few more years of the boys wanting to spend Valentine's day at Boston Pizze with their parents though....maybe then we'll get romantic!

[Sheherezade]

We sometimes go out.....and sometimes not. I'm not sure what kind of year this will be.

Mostly I dread Valentine's Day because of the kids. We are at the stage in school that has all the kids exchanging Valentines. Mostly handwritten and some handmade. It takes forever - but maybe it will be quicker this year. DD's handwriting has improved and DS is in the danger zone. I'm not sure he's going to do Valentine's.....it's getting to the crush age (5th grade) and they actually *mean* something. We'll have to see what the teachers say.

So....so much with romance. It's all school yard politics. :> I should insist on a bottle of wine if I have to make 25 heart catepillar cards with my daughter again this year.

You made all the cards? Just addressing the purchased ones last year was painful. Handwriting has improved significantly so it should move faster.

[Sheherezade]

Oh yes. That daughter of mine is a crafty one. Too bad she can't work solo yet. She's the one that's always begging me to sew or knit. Please God.....don't let her think up knitting Valentines.

Supporting the arts is difficult in this house. :>

Maybe I can order some homemade Valentines from her. :>