To think that married couples should not 'celebrate' Valentine's day?

[fadingfast]

It all seems a bit pointless to me, although to be honest I was never much of a fan even before I was married.

I would rather just do something to mark our wedding anniversary, but we always seem to end up giving each other cards in a rather half-hearted effort.

What do others do? Am concerned I might just be a cold-hearted and wizened old bag.

[HmmAnOxfordComma]

That's so thoughtful, Worra.

[FootieOnTheTelly]

I think valentines day is really cheesy and naff, but I like cheesy and naff

[ExcuseTypos]

We usually get each other a card and some chocolate and that's it.

This year however we are going out with 2 other couples to our village pub. We didn't realise when we booked it that they are putting on a special "Valentine's Menu".

DH is worried it might start the rumour mill going about us all being swingers

[ToysRLuv]

Wholelotta: Yes, we don't do birthday or Christmas presents either. We can both buy whatever we want whenever we want (although atm, not anything too expensive or unnecessary), so just cut out the middleman.

[notso]

I'm not bothered either way. This year DH is going to a wedding evening do, sometimes we will get each other a daft card or whatever.

I don't bother much with our wedding anniversary either. We had been together for 10 years and had 2 DC when we got married, it seems daft to make a big fuss over a tiny part of our relationship.

[fadingfast]

See, I happily encourage ALL other excuses for gift receiving giving: birthdays, Christmas, mother's day, wedding anniversary. I am not entirely joyless.

[WorraLiberty]

Excuse I've got real tears in my eyes, laughing at swingers

[ExcuseTypos]

I think it might be fun- not swinging, but pretending! It'll get the village gossips going.

[Bowlersarm]

@ Swingers

[1974rach]

Not married yet but even when we are we'll probably still "do" valentines day.

We both do silly romantic things very regularly anyway because we like making the other one go "awww".

No harm in it, good job we're all different - makes the world a more interesting place.

[Bowlersarm]

Can imagine your DH praying no one he knows is in the pub that night ExcuseTypos

[ToysRLuv]

Ahem.. not exhanging gifts etc. doesn't mean that you're joyless.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

We used to make a big(ish) fuss about Valentines Day as it is the day we started dating so it was our anniversary for 13 years. Then we got married and started celebrating our wedding anniversary instead and just do a card on Valentines Day now.

I couldn't give a hoot what anyone else chooses to do - but I like to celebrate that my DH has been in my life for over 25 years.

[mumeeee]

YABU I.ve ben married to DH for 29 years and we still celebrate Valentines day. Usually go out for a meal, This year we are celebrating the day before as I'm at work on and DH is away on the actual day.

[ExcuseTypos]

Bowler it's our local, well know nearly everyone.

Poor DH

[ToysRLuv]

Where I come from, Valentine's day is called "Friends' day" anyway.. more inclusive

[qazxc]

You're not a cold hearted wizzened old hag, it's just not for you.
But YABU to say that others "should not" celebrate if they want to.

[qazxc]

excuse typos Will you be bringing a few branches of pampas grass? or a receptacle in which to put all car keys?

[ExcuseTypos]

Oh that's a great idea- I'm sure I can find some pampas grass before next week. I shall trawl the area.

I've never been more excited for Feb 14th.

[Weegiemum]

Dh and I have a tradition (which dates back to before we were married, and that's just over 19 years) that we make cards for each other and have a nice meal at home if possible (not this year, he's on-call). We still have all of the cards, some framed now. Including very amateur efforts made when dc1 was 8 days old, and mine from 2 years ago when I was very ill with a neurological illness and couldn't use my hands and was in hospital (the OT helped me apply lipstick and kiss a card for him).

It's materialistic bollocks if you let it be.

[Vinomcstephens]

Yeah it's all commercialised bollocks. A bit like Christmas eh? That there Christmas that no-one on MN celebrates at all...

DH and I will exchange a card on valentines day and we will also exchange a card on our anniversary too. We like it, it makes us smile and it's a bit of fun. But if it ain't your bag it ain't your bag - really, there's no right or wrong here - whatever floats your boat

[Olivegirl]

Dh and I have sent the same card to each other since the yr
2000 ...I always write in the cards every yr the date.

We get 2 reactions only, from people

1: ahh that's sweet, nice to keep and look back on when your older

2: what cheapskates

[Amy106]

My dh loves Valentine's Day and plans a surprise day out each year. Last year, it was a visit to one of my favourite museums and then lunch. Half the fun is all the hints he drops about where we are going and what we are doing. No idea what's up this year but it's always fun.

[VestaCurry]

We buy each other a card and have a cuddle. Used to go out if a babysitter was available. Last couple of years, dc's said 'we want to share your romantic dinner', so it's all four of us now ! Before we know it, they"ll have flown the nest, so we don't mind. Might let them cook for us this year actually, eldest can be chef and 10 year old the waiter.

[MrsMook]

YABU, I need the excuse to encourage DH to do something remotely romantic. Valentines is roughly 6m from our anniversary, so gives me 2 days in the year where I can reasonably request flowers. It's nice to have that excuse to display a bit of romance and to remind ourselves that we are a couple, and not just resident best friends, especially now were at that stage of parenting of post 7pm house arrest, and too drained at the end of the day to think of couply niceties by the time the DCs are in bed.