Valentines for kids/pets. Why?

[AlternativePerspective]

Admittedly I don’t do valentines for partners either as I think it’s a waste of money, but each to their own on that score, what works for one doesn’t for another and so on.

But increasingly I’m seeing cards/presents in supermarkets etc with valentines for kids and pets. And I can’t help wondering why, especially for pets.

I know why the retailers sell them,because the gullible are prepared to buy them. But why would anyone want to buy a valentine for the dog or even the kids when A, the dog won’t have a clue, and B, valentines was supposed to be about romance so is really not exactly appropriate for the kids either?

It’s a bit of fun and makes people happy I suppose.

Each to their own, what works for one doesn’t for another and so on

^ You've nailed it further up the OP, OP.

I think it's weird too. We've never bought into the whole Valentines Day stuff anyway but now DD is at playgroup they make a big old fuss about it, they've been making cards/heart things all week. So because she understands (she's nearly 4) that tomorrow is a day 'all about love' I've bought her a little tin of heart shaped biscuits. I know she's made me a card so I didn't want to ruin the fun for her. I wouldn't have otherwise though.

Pets is just really really odd, imo.

My dad used to buy me a valentines card every year, it’s one of my fondest memories of him.

Oh my goodness, I grew up in the US… And even in kindergarten we gave each other valentines I think… I remember because I had a dentist appointment on Valentine's Day, and I had to have several teeth removed… And after word I said I wanted to go to school to the Valentine's Day party… It was a big thing…

Do whole class is in the UK not do a Valentines exchange? Is it the occasional school that does a party? I'm just curious…

We also had a Valentine's Day dance every year… With the Valentines princess…

a bit of fun in this harsh cold world op.....thats why!!

if it raises a smile why not??

Do whole class is in the UK not do a Valentines exchange?

Nope.

Is it the occasional school that does a party?

Certainly not in primary school! I suppose in secondary schools they might do a Valentine's Day disco or something but we never had one at my school.

Sounds strange to me as well , but I am Danish and Valentine's day is fairly new here, so it's only for couples/romantic interests from what I've seen 🤔 it's mostly a women's day and the men have something called "steak & bj-day" apparently lol, luckily I'm a lesbian so I haven't needed to participate in that one.

My dad used to send me one too. I loved it.

I've got my kids a small box of chocolates that they love, that's enough.

I was educated in an american school. Valentines day was bonkers and I'm nearing 50 now. You could order roses to send to other people - friends not just 'boyfriends' about £3 each if i remember correctly.

It turned into a complete popularity contest and was so unfair on those that either didnt have the money, or the friends. Then there was a valentines ball in the evening. God knows what it is like know.

My primary school in the uk had valentines discos and card exchange.

@MamaDane steak and bj day? god help us all!

Because I like to make my dd smile any way I can and if a card on Valentine’s Day from our cats does that then I’m going to keep doing it .
Don’t care about commercialism or anything else .
I just love my little girl

@Hellokittymania I recall the same from growing up! You would buy a big box of little cardboard valentine's Day cards (with your favourite theme/character) and then exchange them with pretty much everyone. I have a vague feeling I may have given out She-Ra valentines one year, and maybe Garfield another year.

I agree its inappropriate and not something I would do.
Valentines day is about romance and in that context giving my kids stuff would be bizarre. It's not like they miss out by not getting anything

My parents used to get me one of those Thornton's personalised chocolate hearts with my name iced on. Just a nice little treat and I used to love waking up to it on my bedside table

My kids school doesn’t do anything for Valentine’s Day thankfully! I think it’s weird personally. I was on a fb group where a mum bought her son a ring (cheap pound shop one) to give to his gf for Valentine’s Day. The kid was 9. sorry but I think it’s very very odd to involve kids in Valentine’s Day.

That's interesting @SidsWife. We didn't bother, and neither do the schools I've worked at. Then again, none of the kids where I work tend to admit to even fancying anyone before year six, so setting up a disco based on the idea of love and romance would be a tad bizarre.

Here are some screenshots of a Google images search!

Incidentally, does anyone else remember the stuffed toy on one of those cards that tucked into itself to create a ball???

I don’t buy cards but I do a valentines treasure hunt for my kids - they love it

I make a card for my DH - he buys one for me & writes rude limericks so I have to hide it

Dellacucina, did you grow up in the US? Do you remember those disgusting little heart shaped candies with messages on them? They were awful… But everyone gave them out…

I love the Barbie, so I think most of my valentines were Barbie… I received a box of Barbie chocolates one year… My friend and I were both given them by her mother… We left them out… And aunts got to them before we did… We lived in Florida… So ants and roaches galore…

Yes, those things were disgusting! Like Smarties (American Smarties) but more chalky and horrible. If you were really lucky your favourite boy/best friends would put one with a really nice message in with your card.

I am from colder climes so no concern about insects there!

Why gullible? Most people are capable of making a decision whether or not to buy the card, they haven’t been tricked or misled.

I've got a card each for my three kids (and DH and my best friend). Partly because my parents always sent me a card which I loved so want to do the same for my lot; partly because I want them to be able to truthfully tell anyone that asks at school that they got a card; and partly because I bloody love the lot of them and it will make them happy. Don't understand cards for pets though...

I see the pets thing as just a bit of a joke but I find it weird to do it for kids; it’s for couples and I don’t see why you’d bring children into it. Also as a parent of young children I see it as something for us to enjoy and be a bit selfish in not making the kids part of it for once

Love doesn’t = sex. Kids can celebrate love without it being sexualised by weirdo adults. At our disco, we danced with our friends, made friendship bracelets and had a photographer there that took photos of us and printed them onto little heart shaped cards. I had photos taken with my best friends.
I took my 4 year old for a lovely candlelit 3 course meal last year as my husband died a few weeks before. I’m going to do it again this year and probably every year from now on. Doesn’t mean anything sexual. I’m celebrating love.