My New Yorker coworkers and I were having lunch the other day and they started enthusiastically ribbing me about the ‘‘made-up’’ holiday we have in Michigan. Turns out they were talking about Sweetest Day. I had NO IDEA Sweetest day was a regional thing until they pointed out how odd it was. Even though I grew up with it, I never really celebrated it.
I don’t get the hatred for Valentine’s Day and I never have. When I didn’t have a special someone, I lavished the attention and gifts on my friends. I’ll take any reason to celebrate. I love holidays, I love tradition, and I love buying and receiving gifts. Believe it or not, flowers, candy and sparkly jewelry can exist in a loving, healthy relationship. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.
CaerieD has a really good reason to hate Valentine’s Day. I’m sorry.
Ok, here’s what you do. One day when she’s not expecting it, you say “hey, let’s go down to the beach and watch the sunset.” When you get there, you go, “hey, is that a steel drum band playing over there? let’s go check it out.” Then, when you get near, you say “hey look, a blanket surrounded with flowers. let’s sit on it” (ignore the appalled protests; it’s your blanket). Then you pop the question, discover a basket with dessert and champagne, and live happily ever after.
Wasn’t cheap, but it worked for me. You will need a friend to help set it up and keep an eye on it while you’re on the way, but if you know any girls, the “awwww” factor (and the opportunity to watch and get misty-eyed) triggers an involuntary reaction that makes them want to help. The steel drum band is optional, of course, and the only part that really costs a lot. Ten dozen flowers is a lot cheaper (but also heavier) than you’d think at a farmer’s market.
Mmm, an excellent question. My birthday is coming up soon, so I’m thinking of doing it around then. It’s a perfect excuse to go out for a nice dinner without her being suspicious. I don’t know how I’m going to get the horse into the dining room, but I’m assuming an appropriate tip to the maitre d’ should do it.
Yeah, I tried to get “creative” with peanutbutter cookies (added chocolate chips) and forgot the flour!
But I like your idea. A friend did that this year - she’s taken up beading lately, and she made red earrings for all of her friends, and did a blog post that told what she finds special about every one of them.
I know the day has passed, but could I chime in with – seriously, people STFU! What pisses me off is all the women who throw huge fits because their bf/husband/so didn’t spend a fortune on them sending flowers/candy/jewelry – I always find myself saying “and what did you get for him?” when they complain about how “little” they got.
My birthday is just 1 week prior to VD and I have always had to deal with guys who tried to combine the 2 days. I hate that. Get me something for my birthday, I’m neither pagan nor catholic, so I don’t care about Valentine’s Day. After the day has passed, if you want to get me some candy at 75% off, ROCK ON!
Of course, this year, my husband sent me flowers. Everyone oohed and ahhhed over them, while I thought “I’d rather he spent the money on a new alarm clock!”
I am usually bitter about V-day, but this year was better. I also learned that people spend on average 250$ on Valentine’s day items. Hooray for saving money! I went to a concert. It was a good time.
You will need a friend to help set it up and keep an eye on it while you’re on the way, but if you know any girls, the “awwww” factor (and the opportunity to watch and get misty-eyed) triggers an involuntary reaction that makes them want to help. The steel drum band is optional, of course, and the only part that really costs a lot. Ten dozen flowers is a lot cheaper (but also heavier) than you’d think at a farmer’s market.
