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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Valentines Day for kids

90 replies

Dumbo18 · 14/02/2023 13:44

Since when has it been a thing to buy for your children on Valentines Day? I dont care what people do with their time or money just more curious as to when getting cards, chocolates etc for your kids became a thing. When i was growing up (20 years ago) it was unheard of but now seems quite normal! I know it comes from a place of love which is nice but i do find it a bit odd to be totally honest!

OP posts:

CherLloydbyCherLloyd · 14/02/2023 13:46

I’d actually say the opposite is true - I’m in my mid 30s and growing up, many of my peers used to get a small token for Valentine’s Day (eg a card and a small chocolate) whereas now it seems less prevalent.

Oopswediditagain2023 · 14/02/2023 13:49

I agree with @CherLloydbyCherLloyd - my mum and granny always used to get me a little token something growing up. A little themed gift like a picture frame with hearts around it, or some chocolates, and now my mum does the same with my children!

Oopswediditagain2023 · 14/02/2023 13:50

Posted too soon!
But I think it's quite rare these days - none of my friends get anything for their children, and DP's family don't really celebrate it

donttellmehesalive · 14/02/2023 13:51

I think there's just been a big push in recent years for it to be seen more as a 'day of love.' I saw it referred to as 'Galentines' in a local bar. I teach and lots of my children had received cards and token gifts from parents. One pupil made me a heart shaped cookie. I like it. It feels more inclusive somehow. When I was younger it was traditionally hated by single people but I don't think that's so much the case now.

SpinningFloppa · 14/02/2023 13:51

Omg yes I hate this, thought it was just me! I’m on a single parents group and they are all buying gifts for their kids for Valentine’s Day, some are making them valentines breakfast sorry but it’s just ridiculous, then some have said they are taking there kids out for a valentines meal today at a restaurant? As if they won’t be awkward surrounded by loads of couples sitting there with your kids. I don’t get involving kids on Valentine’s Day. Maybe a token gift isn’t that bad (but personally it’s still a no from me) but actually taking your kids out for dinner?

Caspianberg · 14/02/2023 13:53

We don’t really buy anything, but we are having a nicer than usual meal at home tonight, bought some fancier ice cream, and will probably turn the battery candles on for ds to enjoy. He’s 2.

it’s more a ‘ lovely evening’ together rather that Valentines cards etc

JustCheck · 14/02/2023 13:57

isnt it just nice to have a day to treat people and do something nice? The world is a bit shit, so if a pound shop card and chocolate orange brings a smile that’ll do for me

PinkArt · 14/02/2023 14:06

It was a thing for us in the 80s. Started with me and my sister making my parents a card and evolved into cards and little presents for us from them and my grandparents. It had been explained to me as 'a day to tell people you love that you love them' so it seemed a no brainer that we'd tell mum and dad that we loved them.

PumpkinDart · 14/02/2023 14:10

I don't think this a new thing, I used to get a card and small gift (flowers or chocolates) from my parents growing up and that was 20+ years ago. Instagram makes everything a bit

PumpkinDart · 14/02/2023 14:10

Sorry half a sentence, insta makes everything a bit more in your face with Valentine's Breakfasts, baskets and all that jazz. But small token things for children, not a new thing.

Sux2buthen · 14/02/2023 14:11

It's a bit of fun. It's nice

Thesearmsofmine · 14/02/2023 14:15

I think it’s one of those things some people do and some don’t but we just notice it more because it’s on social media. My family don’t really do anything, some years I’ll buy some heart shaped chocolates to share or whatever but this year I haven’t.
I must say I was a bit 😮 reading a post on fb this morning about a child not being grateful for the presents they received this morning as they were expecting more.

rainyalan · 14/02/2023 14:18

It makes me cringe when I see parents buying their children Valentine's Day gifts.

2crossedout1 · 14/02/2023 14:20

When I was a child I remember making valentine's cards for my parents, that seems a bit weird looking back.

Boringcookingquestion · 14/02/2023 14:20

I’m in my early 30’s and my parents always got us a card and little gift. Sometimes it would come from a ‘secret admirer’ which is a little odd when I think about it! I remember it being quite normal amongst my friends too.

I never thought to get anything for my baby or toddler, though we did do some heart themed crafts at the weekend.

xogossipgirlxo · 14/02/2023 14:22

I'm 30 and my mum always bought us a treat for Valentine's Day.

Flamingogirl08 · 14/02/2023 14:22

Oh I have a girl I went to school with on my Instagram and she posted a picture last night of a big valentines balloon and chocolates for her little boy. Then again that kid gets a silly balloon arrangement for any occasion, he has that many the USA will be shooting them down soon!

DelurkingAJ · 14/02/2023 14:22

My DM was doing this 40 years ago. But she is American and I believe it’s always been more general there (she says her DM bought her a card for Valentines back in the 1950s).

GAW19 · 14/02/2023 14:23

I'm late 20's and my dad always got me a card and a small gift, up until I was around 18 haha.
I haven't got my DD's anything but only because they are 3.5 & 1.5 so not much point 😊

bigbluebus · 14/02/2023 14:24

Since every 'event' went so commercialised and instagrammable.
Saw some photos from a baby and toddler event on FB yesterday in which the youngsters were dressed in 'valentines' outfits and made cards.

GordonShakespearedoesChristmas · 14/02/2023 14:24

I hate it.
It's just a money spinner.
Pressure on families who can ill afford it.
And don't get me started on bloody Galentines!!

SleepingStandingUp · 14/02/2023 14:24

I got two Valentines cards from Nursery so I'm happy 😊😊

xogossipgirlxo · 14/02/2023 14:26

Flamingogirl08 · 14/02/2023 14:22

😂😂

Original poster

Dumbo18 · 14/02/2023 14:26

Yes, very true about social media, its like a competition these days! Maybe my parents had the same idea as me 😂

OP posts:

TheChosenTwo · 14/02/2023 14:26

My sil has always included their dc in Valentine’s Day, their eldest is now 25 😂
they used to have a special dinner together and then they would all have a fancy chocolate lolly (kids) at their place setting or small gift like a book. I always thought it was a sweet gesture but then aside from the first year of being with dh we haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day so it doesn’t mean anything to us full stop.

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