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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:

Sharktopus · 14/02/2023 14:57

Saw a whole range of 'To My Darling Daughter' Valentines' Cards on Saturday, but didn't think anything of it (I live in Norfolk).

Tidsleytiddy · 14/02/2023 14:57

Quite, quite mad.

ifonly4 · 14/02/2023 14:58

Never heard of cards and presents. I used to buy DD a small chocolate heart though.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 14/02/2023 15:08

My mam and dad always bought us cards for Valentine's Day so I've always got one for DS. Plus chocs.

Doesn't mean I post it on my insta or FB. It makes him happy and his happiness is a bigger priority to me than random, judgemental people online

OneTC · 14/02/2023 15:11

My mum used to give me a card in the late 70s early 80s

WFHbore2023 · 14/02/2023 15:13

I gave my 2 girls a single rose and a chocolate. I just about managed not to post about it on social media. Which was difficult because why else would I bother doing anything nice for my children? 🙃

They love 'holidays'. They get super excited about Mother and Father's Day, they love to choose and give us presents on our birthdays, and they like to help me choose a card for their father for valentines.

I get them a token gift not because I want to be involved in some kind of parenting one upmanship, or because I've fallen for the commercial side of it hook, line and sinker. I do it because they enjoy it, and I like to make them happy.

OneTC · 14/02/2023 15:13

from the cats!

Yes this too 😅

Phos · 14/02/2023 15:15

It is bloody weird. I don’t remember it happening when I was a kid although my daughter was definitely expecting something today. I said oh let’s do it later and hurriedly grabbed a chocolate lolly when I went shopping.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 14/02/2023 15:16

Love how on this thread half the people are saying "we've been doing this since the 70s/80s/90s" and the other half are countering it's a brand new thing for social media 😂.

BettyOBarley · 14/02/2023 15:21

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

Totally agree, don't know why people get so worked up about these things!
My mum used to get me a little something when I was little and I'm in my 40s, so it's nothing new.
I got my kids a little £1 teddy and a choc heart 'cos I love them! What's the big deal.

Sharktopus · 14/02/2023 15:25

This might help people's confusion:

whatisforteamum · 14/02/2023 15:28

I used to give mine a choc lolly or fizzy heart sweets.
Later on it became a heart shaped spoon each or a mug.

DNBU · 14/02/2023 15:39

I used to exchange cards with my friends when I was growing up, i gave my daughter a little heart shaped chocolate this morning, she made a card for us at nursery. What is the big deal?

DNBU · 14/02/2023 15:41

(I didn’t post about it on social media)

Original poster

Dumbo18 · 14/02/2023 15:41

No judgement here, just different opinions. Saying that i do judge the person who has posted about someone saying their child has not appreciated the valentines gift they got them... that i do judge!

OP posts:

Hesma · 14/02/2023 15:43

What’s the harm in it? We’re on half term so I made my girls pancakes for breakfast with a card and few sweets. It’s made the day special for us. Valentine’s Day was my Grandads birthday and I miss him so it cheered me up too.

VegetableGyoza · 14/02/2023 15:43

My dad is in his 80s and not from a generation where men were really overly emotional. One really sweet thing I will always remember from my childhood is that he bought valentines card for my sister and I. I’m someone who loves both family traditions and an excuse to celebrate so I’ve always done the same for my children. If you don’t like it, don’t do it.

evemillbank · 14/02/2023 15:45

I'm in my thirties and most kids got things for valentines when I was small

SpringMum30 · 14/02/2023 15:50

To each their own. We have a valentines breakfast and I buy each of my children a card with a personal message and some chocolate didn’t spend much more than £10. They love it and look forward to it every year. They made hand made cards this morning whilst I did the breakfast and we all had a nice time.

namechangetheworld · 14/02/2023 15:55

Usual Mumsnet miseries are out in force I see.

We got our children some heart shaped chocolates with the weekly shop. They've made DH a Valentine's card for when he's back from work. We don't have Instagram or Facebook.

Sometimes it's nice to have a little bit of fun and show the people you love you care. The world is joyless enough at times.

WillYouDoTheFandango · 14/02/2023 15:59

I buy DS a token every year. Started when he was 5 and “very sad” that he didn’t get anything. This year it was a funny card and a small chocolate bar. It’s not on SM though so it didn’t happen.

This year he’s much more excited about next Tuesday and the prospect of pancakes.

PrancerandDancer · 14/02/2023 16:03

It's half term so we've spent the day making crafts and cards that my DD5 has gifted to her two best friends.

We'll have a special tea and we made each other cards. Its nice way to show we love and appreciate each other. Not much to get worked up over.

whereaw · 14/02/2023 16:13

As social beings we have always had festivals and holidays from ancient times. It's about belonging, celebrating, being thankful. Who cares if people want to use Valentine's Day as a reason to spread some love and fun to their children on half term?

If your argument is one of sustainability and wastefulness, I do hope you also refrain from holidays abroad or a big house when you are well aware other people are living in poverty.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 14/02/2023 16:17

I’ve always done it for my DC nothing new in our household. It’s just a card and some chocolates.

DurhamDurham · 14/02/2023 16:30

Our girls are 30 and 25, my husband always bought them a card and a small present when they were little. Still does, despite them both having partners of their own

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