Valentine's Day or Hallmark Day?

[Cloudbringer]

Originally posted by Bungleau: I'm really none of the above -- it doesn't do much for me one way or another. It feels far more commercial than I'd like to think (and since my wife's birthday is the 6th of February, I'm toast -- I can't come up with two good gift ideas in that short of a period of time). We're down to exchanging cards and some special time together.

[img]smile.gif[/img] I think the special time together is the best gift any couple can give themselves!

[Legolas]

I think it's overcommercialized. However, I don't think there is anything wrong with taking the time now and then to treat your 'bf/gf/spouse' to something extra and reinfocre how you feel. It may in fact be very helpful to a relationship, and show that you don't take everything for granted but really appreciate what you have.
In my opinion, that'd work best and appear most heartfelt when it's not done at the same time everyone else is made to think of it, but on the other hand, this is the time of year when you'll have the widest range of choices open to you so logistically speaking it's perfect.

Myself, I'm single and I can't say I feel particularly lonely or left out today, or any other day of the year for that matter.

The biggest downside of a day like this, in my opinion, is that for some it is not a pleasant bonus to get some extra care and attention, but something which is expected and wordlessly demanded.

[Gangrell]

I hate to break it to you all, but commercials give every holiday big hype to get someone some type of gift, or to purchase something period, it's not just Valentine's Day. But, if you're single, you get on with your life, if you're not, doesn't hurt to get your spouse something that says, "Hey, I was thinking of you."

For me, my g/f doesn't care if I get her something or not, she's happy how we are (even though I'm getting her something anyway). I know commericials give V-day a big hype, but that's why there's a mute button on the remote [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Link]

Well, me and my girlfriend agreed that we wouldn't celebrate the day at all. That means no sentimental sms messages, no flowers, no presents whatsoever. It's kind of hard for me to do anyway, because she lives some 20 miles off and we're both extremely busy with our lives.
Generally speaking, I was never really into Valentine's day. If I want to be romantic, I'll be so any given day of the year. If I want to give someone a present, I will do so (given that I have money left ). The only time I sent a Valentine's card was when I met someone on vacation. She thought it was really sweet and while we never dated, there were some really intimate messages travelling between the two of us. Come to think of it, I think I actually made a flower shop deliver a single red rose to her on her birthday (to which she - of course - replied "Oooh you're so sweet!!"). Yay me!

Yet, yesterday when she came to my place, I couldn't resist surprising her. I claimed to have forgotten something and ran off, but instead I ran to the nearest flower shop, bought a single white rose (seems like I've got a thing for roses going on - )and even managed to keep it hidden while running back towards her. She thought it was a really sweet gesture, so I guess I've scored some Romance Points doing all that.

[Ilander]

I don't mind it. I'm single...but it's still not a bad holiday. I despise coporate America...but I still like Valentine's Day. *shrugs* It's just not that evil, really.

[Cloudbringer]

Link, you sound like my sweet husband. I tell him not to spend money on flowers for me, but he rarely listens! LOL He shows up with them out of the blue some days, 'just because' as he puts it.

I suppose Valentine's day as a whole is good for those who forget to do things like that during the year or who want to show some extra love/attention to their mates.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

V-day is a waste of time, imo. It's... just overrated and overdone. It can be special - but only as special as you make it. But that said, so are most things. It's not a big deal, imo, but - I dislike the way that people seem to "expect" you to behave in a certain way and do certain things. *shrugs* Whilst it might be nice to take the gf out for dinner, its a little hard right now [img]tongue.gif[/img] . Namely, because she's in Canada atm, and I'm in England.

[Cloudbringer]

Hmm..the poll's a bit lopsided... 1 like it option, two hate it options and one 'don't have it' option! Were you trying to tell us something, Illumina!?

[ 02-14-2005, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

[Aelia Jusa]

Well I put I love it, even though I don't LOVE IT, but neither do I hate it so given that there were no non-extreme choices that's what I had to put. I think it's nice that there is a day set aside for recognising love and commitment.

I don't love the rampant commercialisation. The other day I was watching a lifestyle-type program and they were talking about flowers for Valentine's Day, and the florist was warning guys about getting the Wrong Coloured Flower. Apparently you would offend your girl immensurably if you got her a yellow flower (meaning friendship) or a pink flower (meaning power or something) rather than a red flower. As if! And if you did have a girlfriend who got peeved because you bought her a bunch of beautiful flowers in a non-red hue, then she needs a good kick up the pants

I don't like the way that the idea of being romantic has been crammed into a little box called 'flowers and chocolates'. Romance isn't that at all - it is about consideration and effort, but then, that isn't quite as easily marketed. That's why when people do surveys of married women, and ask them what is the most romantic thing their husband could do for them, they don't say 'buy me flowers' they say 'do the dishes' or something. It's about thinking about whoever you're being romantic about and what they'd most like and then putting in the effort to make it happen. Flowers take no thought and minimal effort. I know what I'd prefer as a romantic gesture.

[Cloudbringer]

Aelia! Great post!!!! I feel incredibly lucky in that my husband does both...the helpful things (yes, laundry and even cooking!) as well as the sweet little gestures like flowers.

But you are absolutely right about which one makes the 'romantic' come out in most women. It's the helpful, thougtful things that count the most.