I won't be manipulated!

[Jeff Westover]

Ok, I confess: I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. Pretty pathetic, I know, for a married man with six daughters to admit.

I just never liked the idea of being compelled to tell my sweetheart (or my little girls) that I love her.

I don't want to be forced to buy jewelry or flowers. I don't want the element of surprise taken from my "I Love Yous".

Also, truth be told, I'm in the candy business. And Valentine's Day is, bar none, the biggest headache of all the holidays.

That's because in our business on Valentine's Day it is dominated by male customers and we are, frankly, sheep and pretty dumb ones at that.

Jeff

[Jeff Westover]

We've done that before too, to great affect. I enjoy little Valentine's surprises for my girls and we always get a little something for them. But I take my wife out weekly and throughout the year will do little things. She will too. But when it comes to the day itself...we prefer just alone time at home, fixing dinner for each other.

[Undrtakr]

I normaly just get my Wife flowers and have special time ;)

[dvdguy]

I love after valentines clearance candy sales

[SC]

It sure didn't take long to get the Valentines stuff in the stores. I had to go to the grocery store on New Year's Day and the "seasonal" isle was cleared of Christmas and New Year decorations. Already on the shelves were chocolates, roses, and all sorts of Valentine's items!

[dvdguy]

I hope they were not real roses, they wont make it til feb

On another note do we need one specific day to celebrate our loved ones? Dont we have birthdays & anniversaries & even Christmas for that?

[Jeff Westover]

Funny you mention that...three days before Christmas I was rushing like mad to get stock for my stores and I arranged a rush shipment from SF. When the truck arrived we scrambled to get it all out and the first box I opened was all wrapped in Valentine's and not Christmas wrap. I thought about it for 5 seconds and then thought...who really minds hearts at Christmas?

Fortunately, that was the only box of Valentine's wrap I got. But guess what? It all sold...first. Go figger.

[MrsH]

I love after valentines clearance candy sales

Notice how he didn't say that he buys flowers or candy for the wife....just that he loves after valentine clearance candy. Sigh....

[dvdguy]

like you dont get anything

[Jeff Westover]

Don't worry, MrsH...someone will remember you with chocolate...

[MrsH]

Muah...I love you honey

[dvdguy]

Muah...I love you honey

me or the guy talkin about chocolate?cheesy

[MrsH]

Um...that would be you honey. I don't think MrsW would appreciate me saying that to her candyguy

[JayIsh]

One minute I'm thinking about candy and the next minute I'm watching Jerry Springer!!! What the heck is going on here!!!!

I feel like you do Jeff...Like old man Hallmark said to himself oneday, "Christmas is over...I've gotta find some new way to get people to buy cards...Hmmm...What can I do..." and here we are, running around like lemmings buying things and worrying that our mates won't know we love them if they don't get the right card...foooey...

I love my wife, most of the time she knows it and no card or chocolate is going to change that...by the way...How can I get on the See's candy VIP list???

[dvdguy]

theres a list?

this reminds of the simpsons episode where the card folks invent love day

[Annette1990]

I love after valentines clearance candy sales
LOL...too funny..you and Mrs. H crack me up...Now go buy that lovely lady some nice stuff...And nothing with a red sticker or slash mark on it...*L

[clarebear]

:lol:

[dvdguy]

how about "irregular"?
those are usually cheap

[elfworks]

jeff, my dearest darling, if all the boys were as groovy as you and told their sweeties regularly, how they felt, then v-day would have never become the commercial lallapalooza that it has become. however, 99.99% of the boys i know, suck at expressing loving sentiment (tho of course, NONE of the members here are included) and need a day where they are pressured into acting romantic!!
:D

xo

[JayIsh]

I read recently where Valentines Day has one of the highest number of reported domestic disturbances as compared to any other day of the year...And it was from a pretty reliable periodical!!!

Love is in the air...along with pots, pans, glasses and china...

[MrsH]

I LOVE to go to the store on Valentine's Day around 5pm to watch the guys shop for a last minute present. They also do the same thing with Mother's Day.

jeff, my dearest darling, if all the boys were as groovy as you and told their sweeties regularly, how they felt, then v-day would have never become the commercial lallapalooza that it has become. however, 99.99% of the boys i know, suck at expressing loving sentiment (tho of course, NONE of the members here are included) and need a day where they are pressured into acting romantic!!
:D

xo

[Jeff Westover]

Elfie! so nice to see you posting again...

I suppose you might have a point. BUT, I also support this old adage --

There isn't one man in a hundred who knows how to treat a woman. (And there isn't one woman in 999 who knows when she is well treated).

And, as an active marketer of Valentine's Day I can most assuredly tell you that all those men you see clamoring for the right way to express their feelings aren't doing it because they want to -- they are doing it because the have to.

Poor dumb schleps.

jeff, my dearest darling, if all the boys were as groovy as you and told their sweeties regularly, how they felt, then v-day would have never become the commercial lallapalooza that it has become. however, 99.99% of the boys i know, suck at expressing loving sentiment (tho of course, NONE of the members here are included) and need a day where they are pressured into acting romantic!!
:D

xo

[Maureen]

My OH is a self-proclaimed bah humbug as far as Valentine's Day is concerned. "It's just another holiday generated by card/confectionery companies to part fools from their money" So no, Valentine's Day is NOT recognised in this house.

That said, I would rather have what I've got - ie someone that runs a bath for me if he thinks I'm stressed out, someone that cooks dinner if he's home first and someone that picks me up something "because he thought I'd like it" all year round than a dozen roses and 10lbs of candy on one particular day in February.

[dvdguy]

"happy valentines day, I got you something special because over commercialization said i should. not because i love you"

[MrsH]

Maureen, I agree with you. These are the little things that my hubby does to let me know he loves me. I just like to tease him about flowers and candy. I would rather know that my hubby is coming home to me instead of carousing than get a forced gift. I love my hubbster....

My OH is a self-proclaimed bah humbug as far as Valentine's Day is concerned. "It's just another holiday generated by card/confectionery companies to part fools from their money" So no, Valentine's Day is NOT recognised in this house.

That said, I would rather have what I've got - ie someone that runs a bath for me if he thinks I'm stressed out, someone that cooks dinner if he's home first and someone that picks me up something "because he thought I'd like it" all year round than a dozen roses and 10lbs of candy on one particular day in February.

[Cedarfarm]

Oh I agree with all of you! But try being married to an absent-minded professor!!!...these "Hallmark Holidays" can only help a marriage out!!! I say, anytime a so-called holiday is about LOVE, that is a GOOD thing. I love it when I get anything...I never expect it...if it happens...that's cool with me. I realize he has trouble with holidays, I know he loves me in other ways.

:snowball:

[novelist]

:dance:I LOVE Valentine's Day. It gives my husband and I a perfect opportunity to do something special for one another. We always buy eachother a card and a gift. Last year we also brought food home so i didn't have to cook. I'm not sure what we're doing this year, but I can't wait!

[Maureen]

Playing Devil's Advocate, why wait specifically until February 14th?? Why not do it a week on Thursday or August 25th??? Or both???

Just wondering!!!

[joyful]

I like Valentine's Day. Couples should celebrate every day with each other and make it special but sadly some don't and I feel it does serve a purpose that might encourage couples to be more romantic.
Hubby use to send me flowers but after losing his job of 24 years, we don't like to spend that kind of money but he's so good to me all year I don't care. As long as he comes home to me and makes me feel secure, I'm a contented lady.

[Head Elf]

Actually it looks as if there were 3 St. Valentines during history. Even though no one is quite sure where he came form or which one he was is still a mystery. Legend has it that he fell in love with his Jailers daughter and cured her blindness. Another legend says he sent a note saying "from your Valentine". There is also a belief in early Europe that during the Middle Ages birds chose their partners in the middle of February making this day dedicated to love. People observed this day by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their paramours or lovers. Another legend has it that the Duke of Orleans sent the first Valentine to his wife in 1415 while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
So, who is this Valentinus? The name Valentinus was a popular name back in the day and it means Worthy.
The creation of the feast might have been conceived to supersede the pagan holiday Lupercalia. Until 1969 the Catholic church recognized a total of 10-11 Valentine's Days. These include Jan 7, May 2, July 16, Aug 31, Sep 2, Oct 25, Nov 1/3, Nov 11, Nov 13, and Dec 16. This saints feast was celebrated
on February 14th by the Catholic Church. In 1969 the Roman Catholics revised their calendar and he was then taken off.

[Head Elf]

excerpt 2. and yes the 19th century did find its way as a commercialized holiday in the US.

And no my husband does not fall for the commercialization of when to tell me he loves me or how to show that he loves me. Why buy flowers when they in turn wilt and die. Now that's a vision of Love. Chocolate so we women can look in the mirror and ask the dumb question (after we have eaten all the candy bought with love) does this make me look fat. DUH! It's the little things done throughout the year that make us fall back in love with our partners. What better way for a little girl who has a crush on the boy in class and he doesn't give her a Valentine. A heart crushed. Let's wait til next year, he'll give me one then. Ask Charlie Brown about the little red-haired girl.
I give my hubby cards throughout the year not just at Valentines day. I do give to Charity on that day. I jump in the lake for Special Olympics with about 100 other crazy people.

[sugarplum fairy]

This year I love Valentine's Day. My daughter is getting married in October. Her colors are red and white, and her flowers are roses and calla lilies. Needless to say, I am buying a lot of things right now for her wedding. I can't wait until the after Valentine's Day sales to see what I can get.

[Sunshine73]

Eh, Valentine's Day isn't all bad. My Dh and I do love one another and we do nice, thoughtful things for one another on a daily basis (okay, me more than him but that's because he's a guy) so it's not that we *need* a day to be romantic.

However, in our busy lives with our hectic schedules, we sometimes find that we haven't taken time to celebrate "us". Valentine's Day gives us that opportunity. So, while my DH may or may not buy me flowers (no biggie either way), I will probably buy him a bucket of stuff (a metal bucket filled with his favorite snacks and goodies) and we will go out for a nice dinner and a movie to really take time out and acknowledge what we sometimes take for granted in our crazy, hectic lives.

[Head Elf]

Because my hubby has never had anyone fawn over him, I try to make him feel special or more special on Valentine's Day. I can't help it, the I love you's everyday are wonderful, but sometimes they are just words. And sometimes I can't just say those words because they don't seem to express what I really want to say and I have no idea how to say what I really mean. So, that being said, I'll buy a card that someone else wrote and just give it to him and be done with it. He use to get flowers from me, but at that time of the year I can't see why to double the cost of flowers.

[Maebeary]

We choose not to celebrate Valentine's Day...except with saying "Happy Valentine's Day." It's worked for both of us....no forgetting...no stress. Actually, I prefer the simple little things...like filling up my gas tank without telling me. That means more than buying me anything for a "commercial" day.

[JOHNOR]

i really like the day, my boyfriend is a big man, 6'3 and very broad and muscly, from the outside in you wouldn't think he was the romantic type but he really makes an effort on valentines day, he cooks for me (which is a miracle in itself) buys me my favourite wine and just spends some nice time with me, i know people may think he should do that occassionally anyway to let me know he cares and maybe he should, but he let's me know in a million other ways. i just like how he gives in to commercialism and spoils me for the day!

[Annette1990]

I read recently where Valentines Day has one of the highest number of reported domestic disturbances as compared to any other day of the year...And it was from a pretty reliable periodical!!!

Love is in the air...along with pots, pans, glasses and china...

Hmmm never heard that but I have heard the same thing for Superbowl Sunday.

[dvdguy]

eeek

[Annette1990]

eeek
LOL

[JanaBanana]

Some may also say the same about Christmas.. I know people that do actually... say you shouldnt be forced to buy gifts for others just because its Dec 25th..

Thankfully my husband showers me with I love you's and special gifts through out the year to show me how he loves me and appreciates me... he calls me 3-4 times a day from work just to talk :)
In fact yesterday he called me from work to ask me out on a date! So we are planning a night out with dinner and movie this weekend... something is working ... we have been married (happily) for going on 17 years! But he enjoys Valentines day he says, because its another day he can get me something special...

Take each day to thank GOD for your spouse, there are those that only have a chisled stone as a reminder of what they once had :(

[Holiday]

I loved reading all these posts...We don't celebrate Valentines Day on a yearly basis, but sometiems we'll buy a card & once in awhile I'll get a surprise at work...flowers, balloons, candy, etc. A couple years ago when I got to work in the morning, there was a big "walking heart" balloon in my office & candy on my desk...my hubby had snuck them in there b/f I got to work. I work w/ all men, so they had a hay day with that!! Lol! They gave my hubby a really hard time for making them look bad & of course they teased him about being a suck up...so that will probably never happen again! Lol!! Some years I make a nice meal, & some years we just have other things going on... We always say "Happy Valentines Day" (my hubby is a UPS driver, so he has no excuse for forgetting...he delivers a lot of Valentines presents! Lol!!) & it's always a special day....we just don't always do the commercialized thing & buy each other something. But I think it's a great day! I especailly like it when it falls through the week & we use it as an excuse to go out to eat! :smile:

[gracie]

I like ALL the holidays. I try and make them a big deal for everyone . Most of the time they make it a big deal for me.This year we are going to a valentines day ball. I have a dilema. Do I wear the blue and silver dress or the black satin skirt and the white lace top? Whats a girl to do?

[Billy Battles]

That's because in our business on Valentine's Day it is dominated by male customers and we are, frankly, sheep and pretty dumb ones at that.

Jeff


Not only am I not a sheep I am a nonconformist. I only do things because I want to not because I want to fit in. I truly mean it. I could never be a sheeple.

[Jeff Westover]

Did I see you in the store today?

[Billy Battles]

Who me? baaaa No way! Baaa

Actually me and my Girlfriend are not really celabrating Valentines Day this year because our one year anniversery is on Saturday.

I think I did see you in the store though wasn't that you that with the 5 dozen roses and a shoppng cart full of candy.

[dvdguy]

and a bewildered look on his face

[Maureen]

:dance:


After everything my OH has said over the last.......decade about Valentine's Day being a rip-off and purely there to line the pockets of florists and card manufacturers (sorry, and candy people!!) I was presented with a bouquet of flowers tonight. Literally, the first time in - oh, it has to be at least 12 years. I burst into tears!!! He didn't know what to do!!! I tried to explain to him that it meant more to me because I knew he didn't agree with it - does that make sense?

I also came in this evening to find that Bruce (son) bought me 12 red roses as well.

I'm so thrilled with my guys I can't begin to tell you - and I'm going to keep it quiet that they're a day early!!!!!!!!!

[Cedarfarm]

Oh Maureen! That's just pure happiness! I'm happy for you!!!
See? VD day isn't so bad afterall!!!cheesy