Is Valentine's going to be the new Halloween?

[MamaLlama123]

Recently a mum friend asked how i planned to celebrate Valentines with my children?

With her plans, she will decorate her house with heart garlands. Children will receive a valentines box (similar to an advent box).

She is also doing a valentines newborn photoshoot. it is becoming a thing in our area - similar to a newborn Christmas photoshoot/ halloween photoshoot.

what are people's thoughts on this becoming the new Halloween? will there be valentines love trails (like light trails during xmas)/ valentines experiences throughout february/ Visit cupid on the Heritage railways etc? Valentines Duvet sets

It seems to me it's heading this way...

Well that all sounds bonkers to me, but up to her. DP and I do Valentine's but in a very low key way. I guess it is a bit like Halloween, in that you can make a fuss if you want to, or just ignore it if you don't

Jeez 🙄

That's batshit.

Absolute madness. But I don't do anything for Halloween either.

I don't think this is that new really. I'm mid 30's and my mum used to do a special tea for us for Valentine's Day when I was very little, about 5/6/7ish. I usually made cards for both my parents too. We just used it as an excuse to have a fancy tea and do some nice crafts.

There already is Valentines duvet sets and pyjamas etc. hearts everywhere. Hearts are very popular in textiles and illustration so it's an easy money maker. A Valentines newborn photoshoot is ridiculous though.

I will do valentines like I will do for the other 365 days this year....

Halloween I go all out for 😬

I don't think it matters if people are enjoying themselves, have at it

Not something anyone should feel the need to do but genuinely each to their own

If it brings them and their children joy then that can only be a good thing and as long as no one is pressuring others to do similar.

I think it's cute. Don't do it myself but see no harm in it

Each to their own.
If it makes them happy and aren't hurting anyone.

I think that it will be soon.

I have seen Valentine Boxes similar to Christmas Eve boxes being sold and DC's school are doing a Valentine themed own clothes day - hearts/pink or red. DS is not amused!

We do cheesy valentine's here.
Only cheesy/stereotypical gifts allowed (flowers, teddies, chocolates etc) absolutely not allowed to spend more than £10 each and that includes DS. We buy for him and he buys for us (or rather we take him into home bargains to buy something for the other parent). Cards are all homemade and we all get one.
DS has a valentine's themed pudding for tea that night and DH and I will have a M&S meal deal for tea once he goes to bed.

It's a lovely tradition which I know won't last forever but for now I love it.

If others do things differently, go bigger or smaller, do loads or little, that's up to them and I hope they have a lovely day.

He's not amused that he gets to wear own clothes for school?

I am 23 and do every occasion for my daughter, purely because my mum did not do it for me, but I always craved that excitement of occasions.
It brings me joy to see her so happy to get the things I never did.
I absolutely do decorate for all occasions. It did used to just be Easter, Halloween and Christmas , but as she's gotten a bit older, I do Valentines now for her too.
It's personal choice I think. And I understand why people don't do it and think it's mad.

I think it sounds lovely as February is a bit boring usually... especially for us without romance in our lives it's nice to celebrate family love too!

I used to buy a strip of chocolate hearts and hives then one each with breakfast, then make heart shaped pancakes with them after dinner.

@CatamaranViper not Valentine themed! He wears black or blue mostly, no pink hearts or even red in his wardrobe!

We were making valentines cards with children nearly 30 years ago in nursery, to give to parents. We would do heart/red/love related activities: eg paint a red picture or paint who you love - a sibling or parent. It’s not new to have children involved:

For some people it’s a thing. For others it’s not who cares who does what with it. I’m not a Halloween fan but I don’t begrudge others of having fun with it. Life is hard why can’t people find a little joy how they see fit?

Pancake day on 13th Feb, flowers and stuff on 14th.

Not that bad a way to occupy yourself and kids at half term.

I celebrate the 15th Feb when the Valentine's chocs are discounted. I might even share some with my kids (depends how nice they are - the chocs not the kids)😂

If it makes people happy then they should go with it. Life is shit enough right now that if they want to have a bit of fun they should.

We have primary aged children and we love Halloween, especially when it falls at half term. We love a Halloween trail and decorating the house. It's just a bit of fun.

I hope that meteorite hits Earth soon. Good God, what is society becoming

Well in this house we are looking forward to pancake day (the day before valentines) far more!

It's called Valentine's Day. Not just Valentine's. That's the American way to say it.

Just like they say New Years and we call it New Year's Eve.

The world is a crazy place. I hope that doesn’t become normal for Valentine’s Day.
All anyone seems to care about these days is showing off and money. The meaning and sentiment has evaporated from everything.

Its not compulsory is it? February definitely needs something. I mean, I incline towards a walk in the woods followed by a toasted tea cake in the tea shop, but if heart-covered present boxes floats your boat, why not?

The problem is when people feel they have to do it because everyone else is. Even on this thread, Valentines boxes are seen as ridiculous, compared to the apparently perfectly normal Christmas Eve boxes (also something I'd replace with a country walk and a visit to the tea shop 😀).

Shops are desperate to keep us all purchasing, and the gap between Christmas and Easter is too long for them.