Valentine's Gifts

[Jenn! 918]

yeah, Hallmark has banned us from showing our love to our SO's on any other day besides Valentine's

I never said that.

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah, Hallmark has banned us from showing our love to our SO's on any other day besides Valentine's

I never said that.

did I say you did??

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'll help the women out...

I thought after marriage, Valentine's Day was just an ordinary day?

Hasn't Valentine's Day turned into just another excuse for us to be bombarded with consumerism? If a guy, particularly a married man, goes out on that day and buys his wife roses, because 'that's what he's suppose to do', that's depressing to me. I know it's different when you are courting someone, but married couples have different expectations with each other.

I fail to see the difference between married and unmarried in this situation. If you love someone, you love them -- end of story. Regardless of the day in question, why should marital status affect how couples show that love to each other?

When courting, there's a certain amount of superficiality...of putting on our best face. Do you know what I mean? I'm not saying that we deliberately try to misrepresent ourselves, but one only needs to observe a young couple out on a dinner date and a married couple out having dinner. There's is a level of comfort, where all false pretense is gone.

[Jenn! 918]

I don't like Hallmark telling me when I should express my love. We won't be celebrating.

Those are my sentiments.

So... I guess you don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays either, right? After all, the first two have been very commercialized and the last one is merely indicated in a chronological sense and denoted on the calendar. With all three, some other entity is telling you when to celebrate these events.

In fact, no. Beyond doing what I feel is obligated in terms of family expectations on Christmas, Easter, and children's birthdays, I don't really "believe" in those either. We don't exchange gifts with each other and I'd be content if those days didn't exist.

ETA: Not sure why you're trying to find some hypocrisy in this position. It's a personal choice and if you want to celebrate Valentine's Day, more power to you. I just choose not to.

yeah, Hallmark has banned us from showing our love to our SO's on any other day besides Valentine's

I never said that.

did I say you did??

I thought it was a response to my bringing up Hallmark.

Edited February 2, 2008 by Jenn!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't like Hallmark telling me when I should express my love. We won't be celebrating.

Those are my sentiments.

So... I guess you don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays either, right? After all, the first two have been very commercialized and the last one is merely indicated in a chronological sense and denoted on the calendar. With all three, some other entity is telling you when to celebrate these events.

The resentment towards the commercial aspect of any holiday is pretty much the same, however, I wouldn't compare Valentine's Day to Christmas, Easter or even my wife's birthday....sorry.

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't like Hallmark telling me when I should express my love. We won't be celebrating.

Those are my sentiments.

So... I guess you don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays either, right? After all, the first two have been very commercialized and the last one is merely indicated in a chronological sense and denoted on the calendar. With all three, some other entity is telling you when to celebrate these events.

In fact, no. Beyond doing what I feel is obligated in terms of family expectations on Christmas, Easter, and children's birthdays, I don't really "believe" in those either. We don't exchange gifts with each other and I'd be content if those days didn't exist.

yeah, Hallmark has banned us from showing our love to our SO's on any other day besides Valentine's

I never said that.

did I say you did??

I thought it was a response to my bringing up Hallmark.

yeah it was.. but I wasn't really being serious... your statement did sound a little like Hallmark was in charge of when we should show our love... sorry...

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I just don't care about Valentine's Day. I don't hate it, I just don't care. I guess I am not the romantic type.

[Alex+R 0]

I have to say, in response to the OP, I would get irritated if my partner sent me flowers on V-Day all the time. I'd rather have him do something cute and free.

PS I have to admit here that um, we really didn't plan it like this, but it just so happens that V-Day is my anniversary. So, we'll be celebrating that holiday forever, I guess.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Marilyn, the resentment comes from the overt attempt at manipulating the public, especially guys, to go out and spend money for their SO, to show her how much we love her. It is a lot of pressure, especially if the wife feels left out because she didn't get flowers.

[Jenn! 918]

If I *were* to get a Valentine's Day present though, I think a weekend getaway would be the best. The gift of time is the most precious to me. Of course, a weekend getaway is great *anytime*, not just for VDay (see my previous posts ).

[Alex+R 0]

If I *were* to get a Valentine's Day present though, I think a weekend getaway would be the best. The gift of time is the most precious to me. Of course, a weekend getaway is great *anytime*, not just for VDay (see my previous posts ).

Oo yeah that would be the best present, hands down! Hm... now to be able to afford it....

[Jenn! 918]

Marilyn, the resentment comes from the overt attempt at manipulating the public, especially guys, to go out and spend money for their SO, to show her how much we love her. It is a lot of pressure, especially if the wife feels left out because she didn't get flowers.

There's this one commercial for some psycho hug-soliciting dog that you get free when you purchase 3 Hallmark cards. Hint for men: your SO does NOT want this.

[Marilyn. 340]

but I am telling you you don't need to feel the pressure...

wives would be overjoyed if the men took a little time and did something that doesn't have to cost anything but showed that they put a little thought into it....

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Marilyn, the resentment comes from the overt attempt at manipulating the public, especially guys, to go out and spend money for their SO, to show her how much we love her. It is a lot of pressure, especially if the wife feels left out because she didn't get flowers.

There's this one commercial for some psycho hug-soliciting dog that you get free when you purchase 3 Hallmark cards. Hint for men: your SO does NOT want this.

When I worked in grocery retail, I would see these middle aged men come in on VD, grab a bouquet of roses, a card, and a 12 pack of beer. It was funny and sad at the same time.

Edited February 2, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Jon and I have developed a tradition of having a nice dinner somewhere (nothing super-fancy, just a place we both like), lots of booze, and an exchange of inexpensive gifts (cap: $20).

I understand why a lot of people object to it, and it is, as Jon says, "marketing bollocks." I guess we just use it as an excuse to get drunk.

I also don't know why the burden tends to fall on the guy. Guys sometimes need love reaffirmation too!

Deadpool, how about a toaster oven?

Edited February 2, 2008 by AOS despair