to think that valentines day is pointless

[ippdipdo]

It only benefits the shops that sell all the gifts, flowers and cards doesn't it? I can't see the point in wasting money on it when it's surely the rest of the year that matters more?

Sometimes at work we see people getting stuff like bouquets of flowers delivered but who spend the rest of the year bemoaning how awful their wife/husband are.

Then don't celebrate it, what's unreasonable about that?

We don't bother with Valentines Day. As you've said it's just a money spinner. We don't need one day to tell each other we love them.

Are you just realising this? I enjoyed it when I was little and in school we all gave everyone in the class valentine cards but it didn't mean anything it was just fun.

Bit like Christmas, Birthdays and Easter then, do you think? When we make an effort to see people we don’t see all year and spend a fortune on food and gifts? Why bother celebrating anything? It’s entirely up to you what you do and don’t celebrate, but it’s any excuse for a party in my life!

Agree op, we don't bother with it much in our house. I like it when DS (She 3) hand makes me cards and things.

It's not an either / or situation though is it?

We swap cards and have a nice dinner by ourselves once dc is in bed (usually we eat as a family). We wouldn't bother with actual presents as we're quite generous with each other at Christmas and birthdays so it seems silly to buy stuff we don't need or particularly want at another time of year.

It’s gone from cards and a bunch of flowers to clothes, jewellery, all sorts of stuff dressed up as the ‘perfect gift’. Christmas was only two months ago! We only buy cards for each other. I know that sounds boring but I really don’t need him to spend money on loads of presents to say he cares.

I like Valentine’s Day, each to their own- you’re not forced to take part in anything and you shouldn’t judge people who like the things you don’t.

We never bother. But then we go out for dinner all the time and are very affectionate day to day so what would be the point.

It’s all a bit of a display isn’t it?

Proving your “love” to everyone else, rather than to each other.

I could go down my FB feed now and know which of my friends will get big bouquets, heart-shaped chocolates and prosecco

Bit like Christmas, Birthdays and Easter then, do you think? When we make an effort to see people we don’t see all year and spend a fortune on food and gifts?

Well, no. Because I see DH every single day - not once in a blue moon. So I don't need to spend a fortune on food and gifts for Valentines Day. Mind you, I don't at Christmas either.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a prompt to show our love and affection for partners etc, though I swerve the chocs/flowers/gifts. We fully embrace Steak and BJ day, though .

Whilst I do go in for it I wouldn’t say it’s pointless as there are those that love it.

It’s about the thought and the gesture. But I don’t need a designated day for that to happen.

You're right of course, but it's so easy to get sucked in by all the hype. I find it's best to tell dh exactly what I expect (just a card, nothing OTT) so there are no misunderstandings. Not very romantic but then it's the ones who make the most fuss about it who seem to split up, I find.

I'm completely unaware how anyone else marks it or whether they leave it alone. I see the ads on tv but otherwise not. How are you coming across so much of it?

We like to give one another a card. The day goes otherwise unnoticed but I don't have strong feelings about it one way or another. Who cares if it's a commercialised holiday? If that doesn't sit with your ethics or lifestyle then don't engage in it?

I take it you're not bothering with a Valentine's tree OP?

I think it just highlights to people who are unhappy with their lives that everyone else around them is happy iyswim.

Does the month of February not have one of the highest rates of suicide?

If it's not your thing just ignore it, surely?
We celebrate it but we are a bit rubbish at arranging date nights and taking time to be a couple rather than co-parents/ employees etc. Valentines day, our wedding anniversary and each of our birthdays prompt us to book a babysitter, a restaurant and buy each other a card and gift.

I agree love and romance shouldn't need to be prescriptive but life and responsibilities are so jam packed, I personally like these days to give us a nudge in that direction!

Shall we ban mothers day as well?

It's forced fun.

That's why it's rubbish.

Try going out for dinner on Valentine's Day- loads of couples staring at their phones eating heart-shaped nonsense.

I hate that the Valentines stuff appears in the shops straight after Christmas. It’s all spend, spend, spend. That’s not romantic. Romance is doing something original, thoughtful and spontaneous.

Restaraunts hate it. Lots of couples who have been married years and have said all that can be said to each other out on a 'duty date' not talking.

You could literally say that about anything though; why make family important at Christmas when you should do it all year, why spoil someone on their birthday when you should do it all year, why treat a mum on Mother’s Day when you should all year.
In reality most of us become too busy to really spend time appreciating our other halves and you’re right the rest of the year should matter more but it doesn’t happen so I don’t see any harm in making each other feel special on that day; for us it’s not about the money we spend on each other though instead it’s about having a nice night together and enjoying a nice meal. We’ve been trying to do that for about 3 months but life has taken over so valentines will make sure we do that

Valentine's Day is very important as the day after you can get very lovely chocolate very reduced!