Happy Obligatory Love Day
I don’t get Valentine’s Day. This is the first year Chris and I are going to be together at Valentine’s Day. We will be doing nothing celebratory. Doing something on Valentine’s Day would involve fighting to find a baby sitter, fighting the crowds where ever we went, and probably end in us bickering over the stress of the evening.
We also aren’t getting each other anything, and we’re cool with that. We can do nice things for each other and celebrate our relationship without Hallmark’s permission, and on unapproved days. It’s more fun that way. And it means more. Most traditional Valentine’s Day gifts I think are frivolous and result in clutter. No roses and overstuffed bears for me. I’m a potted plant kind of girl, and stuffed animals are for kids. Of course chocolate is always an acceptable gift, especially when it’s good chocolate*, but why should we be limited to one day out of a whole year to get a box of chocolates?
For me, Valentine’s Day ended at the graduation of elementary school. The minute we stopped decorating cute boxes and passing them out in class and eating cupcakes with pink frosting, I lost interest. I did enjoy helping Jonas pick out some Valentine’s for his classmates; he chose pink Disney Princess cards, isn’t he CUTE! And he had a fun time at school today making heart covered art projects, which is great. The minute Valentine’s Day turns into a guilt ridden, expensive, obligatory holiday it loses it’s appeal.
After school the kids and I were running an errand at the BX when Jonas spied a Mickey Mouse mylar balloon that he has been begging for ever since the Valentine’s decor went up the day after Christmas. I decided we’d go into the store and see how much they were; usually a mylar balloon is priced around three dollars. It turns out that the florist on base (who is notoriously over priced) is priced at four dollars a balloon usually, but since it’s today, they are five bucks a pop. I told her that was insane and left. Five dollars for a balloon! People, I used to work in the balloon industry, and I happen to know that those balloons can be sold for a very nice profit at two fifty. And raising your prices for Valentine’s Day- that’s just tacky.
This is one holiday where the merchandisers themselves are making it very easy for me to avoid the commercialism. Bring on Easter! They’ve got better candy.**
*give me a box of Godiva and I’m YOURS, baby, any day of the year.
** especially Cadbury Creme Eggs and anything with marshmallow filling and those robin egg things, mmmmmm.
I am just the opposite of you with plants. I love cut flowers because they are SUPPOSED to die after a week or so. When my potted plants die (and they always do) I have to feel guilty.
I hate that I buy into the Valentine’s Day stuff. I want to HATE Valentine’s Day. I want to ignore it. I haven’t quite managed that, but at least this year I didn’t get my expectations up as high as I usually do. That’s progress, right?
Comment by Elizabeth — February 14, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
Hear, hear!
Comment by Manda — February 14, 2006 @ 10:04 pm
Easter totally has better candy. I agree with Cadbury Creme eggs. I would have preferred some of those today. Yum. Thanks a lot. Now you just gave me a craving.
Comment by Rachelle — February 15, 2006 @ 2:24 am
Happy V Day!
We don’t do V Day huge, but I still like to get my cut flowers. But thank goodness he brings me flowers for other reason, too. Otherwise, it might bother me if he thought all our shows of love were forced into just one day. It really is an overrated holiday.
Comment by dena — February 15, 2006 @ 2:30 am
I agree with you. It is just another day for me. I make it special for the kids - because all kids need to have magic in their childhood. But I really don’t want or need the chocloates and the flowers. I told my husband that if he really wants to show me love today - sweeping and mopping the kitchen will do a lot more than a dozen roses!
Comment by Crazy Lady — February 15, 2006 @ 3:34 am
My children, of course, won’t let me forget the special hoilidays like Valentine’s Day. My husband and I came to an agreement early in our marriage (back when the budget looked extremely impossible), so if he does any thing at all, he usually does it a few weeks before or after the special occasion (or anytime “Just Because.”) –That is, I got flowers three weeks ago when prices were reasonable instead of today. It’s easier on my end. I love time in the kitchen, and he loves eating dessert.
And I agree with Crazy Lady–I love extra help around the house!
Comment by Mom2Five — February 15, 2006 @ 5:48 am
Too bad you are a Valentine scrouge. I love Valentines day. Disreguard the card I sent you, but I sent it with love! Just kidding. I can’t eat candy anymore but I love cut flowers and my husband knows that so I get them often. My family knows I love them, and even though they are all grown adults now I give them valentine cards and candy just because. I don’t do easter and I dispise halloween. But I felt it was my right to eat my childrens candy because I endured the nights crazyness. Funny how we are all so different but look so normal.
Comment by Soli — February 15, 2006 @ 6:23 pm
I’m a Valentine whore. I love all things about the holiday!
And those Reese’s peanut butter hearts? To die for!!
Comment by Dawn — February 15, 2006 @ 7:26 pm
I’m with you, I prefer not to make a big deal out of this day. But hubby is a hopeless romantic so I go along with it to make him happy. After all, that’s a lot of what marriage is right? Compromise and make the other one happy too.
He cooked us a delicious dinner with wine. He sent me red tulips (I’m not a big fan of roses) and I gave him a dirty card. LOL! That’s about as far as I’d ever like to take that day.
Comment by Shann — February 15, 2006 @ 9:03 pm
You sound like my husband re Valentine’s. He just goes along with it to keep me happy i think! But we do buy stuff for each other the rest of the year round and do cutesie stuff like flowers and chocs etc. Where should I send the Cadbury’s Creme Eggs too then? LOL
Comment by DenimRose — February 15, 2006 @ 9:38 pm
I hate when people take advantage of things just because they can. $5.00 for a balloon IS crazy. Go in, get it next week and teach your child the meaning of the word “belated”.:)
Here through Write Wing!
Comment by Janet — February 15, 2006 @ 9:51 pm
I am not into commercialized chocolate-giving either. Chocolate any day of the year is a very good motto. Men, pay attention: Chocolate. Give it to her NOW. Do not wait for an over-marketed holiday!
Yea, I feel a little jealous. I have never had Godiva chocolates.
Comment by Lawanda — February 16, 2006 @ 5:01 pm
I am a HUGE Peeps fanatic - I buy them all up the day after any holiday and freeze them! Yum1
Comment by soapbox.SUPERSTAR — February 17, 2006 @ 12:18 am
Vday is now Bday for kiddo #two… so any pressure there ever was for the hooo-rah is up in smoke. I do love some cut flowers every now and then, but our first married Vday Dadguy gave me a potted mini rose plant. I’m pretty sure it cost about 4 bucks. I planted that puppy outside our front door and it’s still going!
Comment by bon — February 17, 2006 @ 7:21 am