Randy and I have put in 14 years of Valentine's Days so we don't have issues with gifts on Valentine's Day (any more). We usually get each other a little something we know the other person will like, and this something is not to be found at a 7-11, grocery store or Wal-Mart. It's definitely not like a Valentine's Day from a movie, but it works.
I have serious issues with all the foolish men who are scrambling to find something to placate their women folk today. I don't even want to step foot in the grocery store because I know it will be loaded with clueless-looking men wandering around grabbing whatever crap they can afford. Seriously, what woman really wants a white teddy bear with a heart on it? Or a bud vase with 2 over priced roses in it? The stores now have Valentine-to-go kits in front just waiting to be picked up so all the slacker-men have to do is name their price and choose. Correct me if I'm wrong but there's NOTHING thoughtful about that. (Last year the grocery store actually had drive-thru Valentine shopping!! %$#@)
It's also bugs me that a dozen roses that cost $14 last week now cost $60. Wouldn't you rather get roses on just about any other day of the year than Valentine's Day??? Perhaps I'm a cynic, but I prefer to think of myself as a teller of truth when it comes to thoughtfulness and gifts. If there is no thought other than "I'm going to be in trouble if I don't come home with something" then there's really no thought put in at all.
So Happy Shmalentine's Day. I hope your day is filled with love, real thoughtfulness, and lots of candy!
**How do you feel about Valentine's Day?
What's the best thing you ever got?
What's the worst thing you ever got?**
What's the best thing you ever got?
What's the worst thing you ever got?**
49 comments:
I agree with you Jill!! To us, this is just like any other day with the exception of the things we do for the kids.
This is one of my least favorite "holidays". We don't do much but tonight I think I'll make some individual heart shaped jello with marshmallows and hark back to my youth. Matt and I don't do anything for the day and that works for me. I'd rather get flowers on any other day except today, because he wants to not because he thinks he should. Although I do enjoy sending out cards to family and friends, I only sent a few this year though. Happy day to all.
Jill, I am so with you on this! I actually wrote about "why I now love the day I used to not love" on my blog yesterday and so much of what you said, I feel, too.
It is about the THOUGHT and not the price and I too get so peeved about the overpriced flowers, jewelry, dinners and so on.
Good post, as always!!
pam i so agree on the don't "do it because you feel you HAVE to do it"
I guess I need the reason to do something nice so it works for me. I think we have found our happy place. I don't have a best or worst gift because we don't really do that. We used to buy trucks on Valentine's (just by coincidence but we did it three times). I make a nice dinner at home and we relax in the quiet and watch a movie on the most comfy couch in the world. I bought Jimmy is favorite PB M&M's and made a card.
We only tried once to go out on Valentine's - not worth it and totally kills any nice mood you have going on. I think it works that it is just about us and I don't really care about all the men being thoughtless at the store because it isn't mine.
Valentine's Shmalentine makes me laugh. I hope you have a good day!
I agree with your sentiments about all the schmucks out scrounging around for something today. But, I have to be careful about that to some degree because I have NO doubt that Rich will be among them at some point today.
I think it's great to be thoughtful and as sad as it is to say, some people just wouldn't show their thoughtfulness if it weren't for holidays. I don't like that the stores seem to cater to men who simply view Valentine's shopping as another thing to do, but I understand the concept of seizing opportunities and that's what they have chosen to do.
One interesting observation I have is that it seems to me that the women with the high expectations for Valentine's Day gifts always seem to be married to the schmucks who are spending their lunch hour fighting over the last few cards overpriced roses at the grocery store.
You crack me up. All I could think about while reading this post was the guy from 30 Rock who got balloons last minute for his wife and then lost them trying to get into the building. I thought that was so funny.
I like Valentines, but hate the commercial hype...actually I hate that about all holidays. I was just at the store to get a few thing for lunch and they have already cleared out Valentines for Easter. That really bugs me. I never really care about getting anything as long as Adam just wants to be with me. I would love a sweet phone call or note, seriously that's all that counts in my book, chocolates and flowers are just a bonus.
I so agree with your thoughts on the subject. There is zero thought to something found last minute in the grocery store check-out line. My favorite thing about Valentine's Day are the dates that happen (usually a few days after to avoid the rush). I love a quiet, romantic dinner ALONE. And I'm a total sucker for a gift as simple as a card...I love seeing my husband's handwriting.
I can agree on the fact that it really bothers me how "last minute" a lot of men are, and do something for the women in their lives just so they don't get in trouble.
But for my personal experience, I've always liked Valentine's day. My family always did nice things, and got each other little gifts growing up.
And with Mark, he has always been very thoughtful on Valentine's Day. He always makes me feel special, and started this little "tradition" our first year together where he gets me a gift I can wear around my neck. Our first year, he got me a simple, pretty necklace. The next, an iPod shuffle (when they first came out). Last year, he had a coworker make me a warm, pretty scarf. And who knows what he has this year! But from my personal experience, Valentine's Day is a good thing.
It's just the commercialized aspect, and those scrambling to do something out of obligation that is crappy.
jejejejjejeje laughing like snoopy! well to me, I would love to be dine and wine by my man... sadly he thinks like all of you...that there is 364 days to do it...the trick is actually DOING IT! I don't mind going out and having a nice dinner with kids or without...(just going out and having a good time) It would be nice to be all romantic. I used to dress all in red and it was fun. I have fond memories about being a kid and doing all of those little cards...but all of the hOLIDAYS have been soooo comercialized that I don't mind seeing all those balloons and having happy thoughts! I usually give alf a valentine's card and just hope for the best...but I don't have any expectations anymore!
I've only ever received one "white trash" Valentine, and it was unwanted. Some guy who had a crush on me in high school showed up with a balloon on a stick, 2 cards (who buys 2 cards for one person?), and a couple other cheeseball items. It was humiliating b/c I couldn't fit it in my locker. I felt bad that I wanted to throw it in the trash. It was so lame.
Otherwise, I think as long as sincere love is shown throughout the rest of the year, showing it on Valentines Day is a bonus. Nobody is more sincere about their love than my dad, and so even though he gives my mom the same box of Sees candy and a single rose or carnation every single year, it seems so sincere.
Happy Schmalentines.
Jill, I have to laugh. I have many of the same feelings, and therefore I don't really do much in honor of this holiday. I do try to make it nice for my kids though. I love to get flowers, but my favorite flower isn't roses, so it doesn't really matter to me to get them. I'd rather get flowers unexpectedly, it means more some how. I do appreciate a nice handwritten note or card, and love it when Ben does this for me. He used to write me poems alot, not so much anymore.
Happy Shmalentines Day!!
Oh Jill, you crack me up. I agree with everything you said about the commercial aspects of Valentine's day. They sure manage to come up with some pretty cheesy stuff to sell. Blaghh!
My thoughts on Valentines Day have actually changed since I got married. My friends and I used to refer to it as SAD (singles awareness day) before. I don't have high expectations for the day and since I decided that, I like Valentine's day. My husband and I usually try to plan something to do together, which I love. We try to get away and stay in a hotel or one year we went skiing (not ON V-day of course), this year we are just going to have dinner at a little sushi place we like. We don't really do gifts for each other except maybe a little something and a card. We then choose to spend the money we would have spent on gifts to do something fun together.
Working at WalMart last year on this day gave me a whole new perspective. I like the holiday and what it means, but not really the commercial aspect of it. Love is such a great thing- something that not everyone has or is happy with, so why not celebrate it? Yes, you should have those happy feelings for your mate every day of the year and not need the holiday, but that can be said about any holiday really. Love is a noble thing to celebrate in my opinion.
Linc and I always make dinner together and have a night in. I love it. He has never bought me flowers for v-day, something I am fine with because I feel like it is such a cookie-cutter gift. He is very creative, so it is always fun to anticipate spending the evening with him and enjoying each others thoughtful gifts. This year I didn't spend a dime on him- it's not what it is about for us, but I know he is going to feel so loved because I took the time to do what I did.
Happy Shmalentines to you! I hate the commericialization of any holiday. I do love however, getting up early and making the boys something fun for breakfast with a candy treat to take to school. We have been doing love coupons all week - but we try to do that a few times during the year and not just for this "special" week. Anytime there is THOUGHT behind a token or card is really where my love is.
I am not surprised you have issues with Valentines Day. You are the queen of thoughtfulness and yep, Valentines Day is full of scrambling people throwing money around. Darin and I do what you and Randy do...a package of Altoids or whatever and a kiss.
The worst Valentines gifts I ever received were getting flowers from boys I had NO romantic interest in at all. Talk about awkward.
We exchange love letters every year. I have all of them and I love to go back and reread them
my husband called me this morning and said (and i quote) "i don't have a pot to p&@! in, so i just wanted to call and tell you happy valentine's day."
i taped a poem on the bathroom mirror for him this morning.
we tend to eschew the commercialism, so these little shared thoughts are one way we remember to show a little extra love on this day.
the best gift i ever got? a pawn shop bracelet. the worst gift i ever got? a 'gift basket' of 'love' items... i got them on the same day (from my husband, three years before we were married) we both learned a lot about valentine's day gifts that year!! i'm much happier with a phone call!!
**How do you feel about Valentine's Day? it works for us too..i keep it to family stuff..
What's the best thing you ever got?i dont know..some years we buy something some years we dont..but NO white dorky teddy bears! i usually get chocolate which makes me happy!
What's the worst thing you ever got?** im not even sure..
I agree with you. But the one thing I do like about today is that it seems to be one of the only holidays that kids can celebrate in school anymore. Everyone is so concerned about being politically correct, that all of the fun is gone.
Jim and I don't usually go out. We just order Chinese food after the kids go to bed and have a quiet meal be ourselves. Beats a crowded restaurant any day.
Hey you can still get 2 dozen roses at Costco for $14. Just an FYI. I couldn't agree with you more. Doug and I really don't celebrate Valentines Day other than maybe going out to dinner. We used to do cards, but I HATE spending $5 on a card most of the time. I would rather get a thoughtful letter, or something of that sort. I do enjoy buying my kids little shirts or a small item just for fun.
In Highschool my boyfriend bought some pretty cheesy things. I think we all have been recipients of silly bears with hearts at one time or another.
Hope you have a great day!
I just ry to see the day through my kids' eyes. While I better not ever have to be on the receiving end of that white teddy bear, my kids do get all hyped up about that tacky stuff. So we do a little of both here, a few cheezy trinkets for the kids plus some Valentine messages on chalkboards throughout the house and a special Valentine breakfast at home.
p.s. I just remembered I received a giantic card one year as well. Remember those life sized cards you used to be able to buy?? Funny.
I love valentines day. we do lots of fun stuff and am grateful that jeff thinks it is a girls holiday which to him means it is for the guy to give a gift to the girl.
i actually buy flowers from sams a few days before valentines and do an arrangement so it takes any pressure off him buying $60 roses, not a big fan of roses so i would rather have something else.
we are having michelle's Chicken P. tonight and do the valentines fairy.
remember last year someone brought you those Krispy Kremes... who was that.
kind of bummed school is out, i had a great lunch planned for AK but will do it when we get back.
have a great day!
oh the best thing i got was a fake tennis bracelet in a pizza box... i have been waiting to post about this and will have to do it sometime today. it is a great story!
AMEN! I pretty much feel the same. And yes, I would prefer flowers on any other day of the year. I'm sure it will be more fun when we have kids and do stuff with them.
Ummm...I don't want to post this on my blog, but how about getting broken up with on Valentines day? Yup, that's what was in store for me this V-day.
I'm posting similar sentiments today- Happy Shmalentine Day!
I like Valentine's Day, but not in a roses and heart shaped box of candy kind of way. My husband does not like any of that kind of thing either, and he always does something thoughtful and not typical. No teddy bears here. I do love the holiday for my girls, though. But, we haven't been as festive this year as in year's past because the kids have been so sick for the last week or 2.
I hope you have a schmancy Schmalentine's day!
Happy Valentines Day, Jill.
To me, Valentines is a day we show our love and appreciation. It can be shown in many ways.
Sometimes only a "token" of our love is manifest. But that token is representative of something else, much deeper. To me, that is why I like Valentines!
I think the best gift I've ever gotten for valentine's day was a nice Mac eyeshadow brush that is shaped like a paintbrush and has the softest bristles ever. Marc bought it for me about 12 years ago and I still use it! He got it because it was luxurious. Then again, I got a scanner last year and that was pretty great too!
I agree with your thoughts on the holiday. I went to Target today and all the valentine aisles were completely empty! I saw several men strolling around the display of flowers. It often seems to be a holiday geared towards a lack of thoughtfulness, where's the fun in that?
Tonight we are getting take-out and staying home to watch TV. I guess we've joined the ranks of the old married folks, but that's what sounds fun to us!
I'm pretty indifferent toward Valentine's Day. I think I'm wating around for some flowers from Jeremy, which is nice, but like you, I hate how expensive they are. He should just go to Costco tomorrow and buy me a lovely $14 bouquet of 2 dozen if he wants to do flowers. Jeremy gets really into Valentine's Day. This year we're going to Sundance for a night and a massage at the spa. Again, it's nice, but doesn't really do much for me. Now the reservation at the Tree Room--that gets me excited!
I love Valentine's day. I've always had really good feelings about it. My mom always made it fun for us. Lou also makes it really special. We never spend a lot of money but I like giving a day to love. I think it's not like we don't show love to each other days or give eachother small gifts now and again but it is just a little more special on Valentine's Day.
I LOVE Valentine's Day. Maybe one, of only a handful of people that commented. I enjoy sharing my love with the ones that are closest to me(Greg & our girls)and I enjoy feeling loved in return.
We have gone to dinner in the past, but find the wait for a table is way too long and for some reason most of the restraunts we frequent don't take reservations. So now we usually order some take out and enjoy a nice quiet undisturbed dinner and dessert in the comfort of our own little "love shack."
I agree with some people being super cheesy and spending way too much on cards, flowers, and other gifts. Some of my favorite cards are the handmade ones or letters written especially for me.
Hope your day is great!
Happy V-day!
I think that this holiday, like all of the others, does not have to be any more or less than you want it to be. I hope that you do have some fun! Shfun?
I'm with you! I do love Valentine's Day with all the pink, red and purple out in full force though. I especially loved seeing it through Lindsey's eyes this year. She was so happy to be sharing fun valentines with her friends. Charles and I tend to celebrate the 15th because that was when our first date was. Worst gift? A rose scented candle.....I was sneezing from the minute I opened it! Best gift? Diamond earrings, that I lost....yeah, I still feel horrible about it.
I love this holiday now that I have kids, but only because I love the colors and decorating with hearts! I agree with the commercialization and the clueless men wondering the grocery stores...there is nothing special about that. Brandon and I never really get each other gifts for holidays, including Valentines. He usually brings me roses (because I do love them), but only from Costco where they are still only 12.99 for two dozen. :) I don't think we need a holiday to remind us that we should say I love you to the people we love...we should be doing that everyday anyway!
But, but, but... what if your man does everything right, every year? Huh, huh, huh?!? :P
I do enjoy this day because I get a written affirmation of his love. I get the verbal and action wise affirmation everyday but at least on this day, I get the written display too.
I agree with you to an extent, but I also love Valentine's day!
As a little girl, I loved to decorate the box for our valentines party in school and now my kids usually make them in school, but this year (lucky me!), my daughter Mckenna had to make one at home so we made an altered lunch box for valentines day! it was really fun!
That is what is fun for me, the making things with the thought of giving and not receiving. I also made a box for my husband and filled it up with candy so that he could munch on it while he was at his city meetings all night long!
My best gift ever was a calendar that my husband made me with various pictures of our 3 years together (that was a LOOONG time ago, we have spent 20 valentines together!)
The worst gift was a lame flower a guy gave me that came from our yard, before he picked me up! Talk about the last minute!
I have to laugh at people who do the last minute thing- But sometimes that is me! But usually it is because I don't remember to get everything and have to run out the night before for the kids candy hearts (it is a tradition at our house,) for the greeting at our valentine breakfast.
Have a great Valentines day!
Shmappy Shalentine's Shmay Shmill!!
This is the first year I haven't hated Valentine's Day and it's only because I remember how fun it was as a girl. The cute kid and fun friend aspect of the holiday, not the high-expectation romantic one. So I had fun with the little things. As far as Brett and I go there have been many a year where we do nothing so there is absolutely no pressure. I did stop by the store to grab a get well card and the Valentine card section was packed with panicky people. I chuckled to myself as I waited in line behind guys buying flowers.
hi! I am a friend of christina's but have read your blog for a while... I am impressed with your insights... I love that you joined a gym... and I think I am guilty of unthoughful valentines.. as I am so last minute.. I was one running to stores today trying to find something for my husband and kids.. I a guess I am just a procrastinater... anyway.. I enjoy reading your blog, hope you don't mind, and I will try to post more... you can find my link on christina's!
I have to agree with you. We don't usually do a lot here at our house. We do the usual flowers, chocolates, cards, etc. WE quit trying to go to dinner years ago. It just isn't worth spending the evening waiting with a bunch of people we don't even know! I hope you did have a good V-DAY!
i agree jill. i don't like a lot of unnecessary, UNTHOUGHTFUL running around just because it's vday. i love doing stuff with my kids and use it as an excuse to do something special with my husband but don't feel any pressure about it with him.
My husband saw a couple different men driving their cars with balloons inside. He came home and said, "seriously honey, would you want balloons? What woman wants balloons from a man?" I thought it was so true and so funny. What woman does want balloons from a man? This made me think of what you wrote about all the cheesy cheap gifts men buy!
But honestly, I love Valentines. I am so happy to have a holiday where we get to be romantic and lovey dovey. All though my husband and I are pretty good year round about that kind of thing, I love having a day just set apart for us. It seems like Valentines and our Anniversary are always wonderful days!
I agree -- Valentine's is not my favorite holiday (but we all know that Thanksgiving is my absolutely least favorite holiday). But, nonetheless, I hope that you had a good, plain, normal, day.
47 comments? If I get 5 comments, I weep. I am jealous. My co-worker told a funny story today about her husband buying her a heinous knit outfit for one Christmas in the mid-80s. She was appalled by it, and took it back, pointing out that it wasn't her thing. Guess what she got for Valentine's Day? THAT SAME OUTFIT, that had been on sale... she was MAD. He didn't even realize he had purchased it twice!
I hate valentines day too, but because I don't get any crap and no I don't want a pink bear with a big heart on it. I just want a note or a simple rose. I love my hubby, but he is not a real giver. I decided this year I would just buy a gift for myself and give it to him to give to me. About a month ago I bought a box of chocolates and gave it to him. He hid it and hasn't given it to me yet --It is now the day after Valentines day. I think that a cheep gift is at least a thought and some women just wish to be thought about a bit. I feel sad that he forgot and I gave him such a cool shirt. Some women need to feel special even if their man is pushed to do so, but then again my man didn't care either way.
oh my still no internet.... i can't take it.. come back to us!
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