Valentine's Day: Petrol Station flowers, Ferrero Rocher chocs, ...

[TheBeautifulVisit]

... slutty uncomfy knickers or what?

What do you hope to receive?
What do you actually receive?
What will you give?
How will you celebrate?

Just cards - I think it's really a load of codswallop. DH sent me a huge and very unexpected bouquet of flowers in November for "No reason, just cos I know you love them, and I love you." This means far far more to me than a bunch of flowers cos the calendar says he has to.

we also got the stupid cuddly toys, showy gestures and 3foot high cards done with way back in our teens

I expect dh to make me a very simple card made with a piece of a4 printer paper and a nice message within. Usually I cook a special meal but we are travelling this year, so I expect it'll be nothing special. I don't want flowers - ever - they remind me of death and funerals and create a bloody mess!

Just a card to show that DH has actually given me a second thought (we have ishoos with him never considering how I might feel about things).

I have bought a card for DH too.

Nothing else though, it's for people who are still in the early dating stages of a relationship I think - not people who have been married for 17 years!

Might buy him a card.Might not.He might buy me a card but I wont be bothered if he does not.I would be shocked if he bought me an actual gift,although if it was chocolate I wouldnt complain (or share it) We arent trying to woo each other,we been together ten years,think its a nice day for new couples though.

I try to avoid hallmark occasions as their are nothing more than money making scams.

I will give him my love, like I have for 25 years and I am sure I'll get the same in return. If we lucky (remember) we'll steal a kiss in the morning before we rush of to work.

I make heart-shaped pizza every year for us (dh, ds and myself).
It has become a firm family tradition, so much so that when ds (almost 7yo) was looking at the calendar and realised that this Friday is Valentine's Day, the first thing he said was "Ooooh, excellent, pizza!" :o

We're going to be having a romantic dinner, DS along for good measure, chez EZJet. Warmed over bacon bap anyone? Mmmmm.....

Usually we just do cards and a take away and the deed but this year DC3 is due so we've decided to treat ourselves before the newborn haze starts. DH is getting a PS3 game he asked for and I'm getting a 12 week countdown at Slimming World that I asked for. I used to do SW before I got pregnant and want to go back once I've had my six week check. He's got the day off work and will do the school run for me, then we're going to have breakfast together at the coffee shop in the village. For the evening we're going to cook a meal once the DCs are in bed and watch a DVD.

With all this planned I will blatantly go into labour at 7am on Valentines Day.

He has said though that because I can't use my gift just yet he's going to get me something small for Friday itself but I have no clue what I want. Chocolate gives me horrific heartburn at the minute, I can't drink wine and there are no books I want to read that I don't already have. There's no point in lingerie or nightwear because it won't fit me soon, ditto daywear. I don't need nice smellies for the bath because the smell makes me ill (DC3 decide to give me a whole nine months of morning sickness when I encounter certain triggers) and the same goes for perfume.

As a single mum, I have no one . Just joking, I'm fine with it all! It's great for teens but I'm definitely not one. DC always gets me a nice gift thought, I'm a very appreciative mum!

I'm a cynic.

However last year I made a card and wrote him a poem because I love writing and literature.

This year I'm heavily pregnant and really can't be added. But I'm shamefully dreaming of one of those big boxes of chocolates with all the different centres in them. Just because I've had a massive sweet tooth this pregnancy.

We are doing an anti-Valentine Day complete with treasure hunt and take away pizza.

Would love a day in bed with DH while DC are at school/childminders. Could get day off work, but he won't take day off as work busy, he was away last week on mandatory training and is behind, and he's booked Mon / Tues off to visit in-laws

I've got roped into going to a local sports club valentine dinner dance ' with entertainment '.... It's going to be like a scene from Peter Kay's Phoenix nights !!! Would rather be wined and dined in Paris but just keeping it real !!!!

Nothing. Dh would if I did as he's a little bit sentimental but I've always been adamant about hating the commercial crappiness of it. It's a cliche but we don't need a day to mark our relationship. He bought me flowers last Friday because I was cheesed off. That means more than buying a card from Clintons.

After 16 years just cards and a curry with the kids :)

This year it'll be cards, fish & chips, and shop bought creme brulee ??

oh bloody hell, I forgot about valentines day. tbf I have been a bit distracted with a lot going on.

My DH bought me some whoopsed flowers at Asda last week, and we had a date night last night, with Asda pizza and tiramisu and a bottle of Cava, just because we felt like it. We don't need the card company to tell us to do nice things, we don't need to spend a lot of money. But we do regularly do something nice, just for each other, just because we want too.

See, I like it... was miserable when I was single & seeing loved up couples made me :(

So when I met DH, I felt entitled to all the schmaltz!

We exchange cards and a token gift. I normally get some nice flowers and then we have a nice meal at home. We used to get those dine in deals from M&S but we didn't fancy any of the options this year so will cook something together.

We know it's commercial rubbish day but it's nice to have an excuse to have a romantic night together.

Normally I do insist on cards because Mr V is usually travelling a lot with work or being inconsiderate or something and I feel the need to see some effort :)

He's barely been away this year and is a paragon of generousity and good humour so Im feeling very valued. Ive told him no cards or gifts, we'll just get some wine in and we'll chat and watch telly.

Nothing beats a proper 'mystery besotted person' card. I havent had one of those for years. I'd love to get another!!

Normally I do insist on cards because Mr V is usually travelling a lot with work or being inconsiderate or something and I feel the need to see some effort :)

He's barely been away this year and is a paragon of generousity and good humour so Im feeling very valued. Ive told him no cards or gifts, we'll just get some wine in and we'll chat and watch telly.

Nothing beats a proper 'mystery besotted person' card. I havent had one of those for years. I'd love to get another!!

I don't work Fridays and DH is self employed so we're all going out for lunch, 3yo DS included. I've got him a card and will prob get a nice gesture choccy-based treat for him. He will get me a card and some roses. I will dry one of the roses and add it to the vase of dried roses under the stairs, one for every year we've been together.

Don't like the commercial hype at all but no-one's actually making anyone buy crap! In the same way that Xmas prompts me to catch up with friends and family, and Mothers Day makes me find the rudest card I can find to make my mum laugh (and I get taken out for a cream tea - or else), and Easter means its time for an NCT group reunion and easter egg hunt, and my two best girl friends and I take turns to organise a GNO on the last Weds of every month; Val day is one of the opportunities peppered through the calendar which can be made into a personal and nice thing. If one so chooses!

We do cards ... Been together 20 years nearly and married for 13. Usually have takeaway and bottle of bubbly. Occasionally have gifts . I get flowers often but I d nag DH not to buy any for V Day as they are toooo expensive.