Valentine's Day

[ridenread]

My 8 year old son just came home with his Valentine's Loot. Huge 4 inch chocolate heart lollipops, boxes of candy hearts, gift bags full of misc. candy, pencils, note pads and little toys. And just a few simple cards with nothing attached.
I love holidays and have a bag of silly little things for him. I just couldn't believe the stuff he came home with. Sadly most of it will end up in the trash.

[lph]

Wow. I realize I haven't "got" Valentine's at all. It's gradually being adopted here, like Halloween, but is strictly a romantic thing between adult couples, with ads for flowers, small gifts, maybe a romantic dinner. I had no idea of the cards+candy for all for kids, or the family extension.

Ok. We have a pact at home to not celebrate Valentines, Mother's day or Father's day (we "celebrate" random days instead), but I'll admit it: I would be thrilled to receive a Valentines Day gift or card

[Flybye]

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentines Day.
I personally love it. I love the opportunity to do something small and nice to express how I feel to others. Last night I made steak, ham wrapped asparagus, and garlic red and purple potatoes. Small, nice presents for my mister and my kids.
On the other hand, I hate it for others who are single. I empathize with the woman in counseling who cried because she does not have an "other" to share the day with. Her self esteem is blow because of relationships with her father and her past husband. So sad. She is working hard to pull herself out of it but his is another obstacle.
I have a single friend that has a heightened awareness of his singlehood during this time. He is a fantastic man. It is hard to see him (and others) on what he calls "singles awareness day/ SAD."

[shootingstar]

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentines Day.
I personally love it. I love the opportunity to do something small and nice to express how I feel to others. Last night I made steak, ham wrapped asparagus, and garlic red and purple potatoes. Small, nice presents for my mister and my kids.
On the other hand, I hate it for others who are single. I empathize with the woman in counseling who cried because she does not have an "other" to share the day with. Her self esteem is blow because of relationships with her father and her past husband. So sad. She is working hard to pull herself out of it but his is another obstacle.
I have a single friend that has a heightened awareness of his singlehood during this time. He is a fantastic man. It is hard to see him (and others) on what he calls "singles awareness day/ SAD."

You know Flybye, during the first few years of being with dearie, I actually forgot about Valentine's Day. Whereas he would buy me a pot of flowers, etc.

I think it was because I was single for a long time. I met him when I was 31. When I was single I sincerely didn't pay attention to Valentine's Day at all. You also have to remember that Chinese New Year's tends to fall between late January and mid-February, depending on the year. and my birthday falls at end of January so I already had 2 happy distractions to celebrate!

Just tell your single friends to celebrate Chinese New Year's. It really is time to also share love with family and platonic (or other) friends too.

Note: He and I usually celebrate V-day in a low-key way, which means no flourishes, expensive gifts. It's just another thoughtful day to us, like any other day.

[ny biker]

It's just a day. I'm going outside to shovel more snow.

[Trekhawk]

. I had no idea of the cards+candy for all for kids, or the family extension.

Neither did I until we lived in the States and my kids were expected to make a card for everyone in their class. I have three kids so that is a lot of cards. After talking with the teachers I got the feeling that they wished they did not have to do the whole Valentines thing but lots of parents seem to expect it. I opted for being the strange Aussie and we gave Valentines day a big miss.