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?

The whole thing is the tackiest tack fest around. Although Christmas is rapidly catching up.

Anyone who buys a valentine's card/gift for a pet needs their head read.

I used to send them to my kids- they enjoyed going down for the post. Even though I didn’t sign them, they knew it was me, but played along. It’s just a bit of fun. DH and I don’t send them though!

St. Valentine is the saint of lovers which is why it's odd to send them to children or animals. He is also the patron saint of epileptics and beekeepers though so if your dog is either of those things crack on.

@Lionel - he was actually the patron saint of 'courtly' love - which I'm pretty sure doesn't exist nowadays! So as far as I'm concerned we can choose it to be about any love we like...even the love of beekeepers, I guess!

According to Wikipedia:

Many of the current legends that characterize Saint Valentine were invented in the 14th century in England, notably by Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle, when the feast day of February 14 first became associated with romantic love.

During the Middle Ages, it was believed that birds paired in mid-February. This was then associated with the romance of Valentine. Although these legends differ, Valentine’s Day is widely recognized as a day for romance and devotion.

So, basically, Chaucer started many of the traditions- before that it was about commemorating the martyring of St Valentine.

St. Valentine wasn't the patron saint of 'romantic' love but actually 'courtly' love - which is something very different.

Sure, but it's equally inappropriate for children and animals.

I just don't see why every celebration day has to be for everyone and everything. Why can't we say to children that this is a day for celebrating romantic love, and they'll enjoy it when they're older? Why do we want to say that the love we feel for parents or siblings or friends is exactly the same as the love we feel for partners or husbands? And I definitely don't see why primary-school children need to have a day where they all give each other cards. Who needs their kid bringing home 30 handmade/cheap cards?

@bridget - how is love innapropriate for children?

Why do we need to say a day is only for certain people? Why should only people in romantic relationships get to celebrate? Surely people can celebrate however they like - how does it affect you? I've not seen anyone say love for a friend is the same as love for a romantic partner - only that we can celebrate any love we like. I find it odd that people get offended by others having fun. I'm going to the cinema with my friend and it really doesn't matter to me that you think people should only celebrate with/if they have a romantic partner. And my DC are getting a little tin of loveheart sweets - it will make them happy which will make me happy - not sure what is so wrong about that!

I think it's like any holiday- celebrate Easter any way you like; chocolate eggs and bunnies, churches and crosses, whatever floats your boat. Celebrate any day, or none, however you want to.

However, I'm glad we don't tend to make it a big thing in schools in this country, if only because of the environmental impact of each kid handing out thirty cards, (many of which would probably be covered in microplastic glitter and unrecyclable).

The only why here is why do you care?

YANBU. It is extremely weird and really inappropriate for a parent to participate in Valentine’s with their child.

It is a day of romantic love, not any love.

Had to come back to this thread as I previously said my dcs school doesn’t take part in Valentine’s Day only to pick him up today and him come out with a happy Valentine’s Day card, it was blank inside but had a pack of sweets. The teacher was giving them to everyone in the class. I was abit shocked tbh.. First time they’ve done that. My older dcs came out with nothing so it wasn’t a whole school thing. Very odd!

The weird ones are the people who get all cat bum mouthed about anyone other than couples celebrating Valentine's Day. The sort of person who reads a thread about eg. a mum putting a heart shaped peppermint cream in their child's lunchbox or a child making a card at school to bring home and then insinuates they must be having an inappropriate relationship with the child rather than it being kind is a very strange person indeed.

Thanks for this thread! It made me realise that I should get my daughter a card and a small gift (a painting book).

Her nursery has had the children busy preparing some kind of surprise for the parents all week and it would be a shame not to reciprocate.

Like you say, each to their own, it doesnt matter.

I know why the retailers sell them,because the gullible are prepared to buy them.

OK, so just because you don't like it, anyone who does is gullible?

It's all nonsense isn't it. DD wanted to get one for the cats, I persuaded her they would be happier with a tin of tuna!

I’ve got a 9 year old rescue dog who had a pretty shit life until I got him a few months ago. I spoil him every opportunity I get. He got a gift - or he will when he finally gets out of his bed. Couldn’t care less if this makes me gullible.