# Doper parents: do you get your kids Valentine's gifts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821 "2011-02-09T23:22:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/21 "2011-02-10T04:17:52Z")
I never got anything from Mom/Dad at Valentines Day and I don’t think it would occur to get my (non-existent) kids anything. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/22 "2011-02-10T04:20:43Z")
Kids? I don’t even get my wife anything. (that’s her present to me) ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/23 "2011-02-10T04:26:11Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > When they were in school, many many parents had flowers, teddy bears or balloons delivered to their children at school. The schools here had to actually outlaw this practice, there were so many deliveries coming to the schools. It started at the high school, spread to the junior high and was creeping into the elementary school. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten my kids anything for Valentines’ Day. Like someone else said, it seems like a lovers’ special day. It would seem weird to get them something. My hubby and I don’t get each other flowers/candy/cards either. It’s too commercialized, like it’s made up just to sell stuff. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/24 "2011-02-10T04:35:36Z")
No, but only because it never occurred to me. Maybe I’ll get them some chocolate or something this year - I’m sure they’d like that! My husband and I don’t exchange gifts, either. We usually just give each other cards, if either of us remembers. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/25 "2011-02-10T05:04:19Z")
I tend to think of Valentine’s Day as for romantic love. We never got anything for Valentine’s Day. I think Naomi of TV’s _Mama’s Family_ said it best “It’s only a real loser, who doesn’t show his love, by overpaying for chocolates and roses on Valentine’s Day.” ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/26 "2011-02-10T13:21:30Z")
My mom used to get me stuff for Valentine’s day, and I plan to do it for my daughter. It was something on the order of a little teddy bear and a box of drugstore chocolates. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/27 "2011-02-10T13:30:27Z")
Nope. Nor for my husband, nor him for me. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/28 "2011-02-10T13:34:40Z")
Valentines Day has always been about romantic love to me. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/29 "2011-02-10T14:43:30Z")
My parents always got me a little something–a card and a couple chocolates, or a book, something along those lines. One year my dad got me flowers, one year my mom gave me a shirt. It’s nice, I always liked it. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/30 "2011-02-10T14:44:25Z")
My mother used to get those heart-shaped plastic containers and fill them with cinnamon hearts and chocolates for each of us kids. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/31 "2011-02-10T15:12:37Z")
Yes, we buy small v-day gifts for our 9yo little girl. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/32 "2011-02-10T15:39:40Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I guess I like the idea of letting my kids know that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance, it’s about love. Well, that’s ridiculous. It’s about candy! Thanks for reminding me to get them some. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/33 "2011-02-10T16:27:41Z")
I always get the kids some candy and a little stuffed animal, nothing major. Plus cards of course. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/34 "2011-02-10T16:34:11Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Well, that’s ridiculous. It’s about candy! Thanks for reminding me to get them some. 🙂 I believe, ma’am, that you are mistaken; Valentine’s Day is about love. _Easter_ is about candy! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/35 "2011-02-10T16:38:24Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Valentines Day has always been about romantic love to me. This. I think this question came up last year with the pretty much universal reaction from non-Americans being ‘ew, no!’. Another one to chalk up to cultural differences. (But then I’m British, my family are lucky if they get a shoulder punch from me 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/36 "2011-02-10T16:41:10Z")
Not only Celtling, but a little dollar-store something for every kid in her class. $20 ain’t gonna break me, and it’s important that they all feel included. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/37 "2011-02-10T17:12:30Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > OMG, parents really had gifts _delivered_ to their kids at school?? ::Gag:: > I would _not_ do this. > . Not only that, but since I did not buy the gift bag the school sold to deliver to the classes (bag with candy, t-shirt and balloons attached) the teacher made a point of letting me know how upset my child was when he was the only one in class that did not get one so she had to get him some candy. Guess they go for the hard sell. Gah! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/38 "2011-02-10T17:19:55Z")
The Firebug’s going to get a card from us, and probably some candy. And he’ll be exchanging valentines with the rest of the kids in his ‘class’ at day care, sending cards to the grandparents, and we picked out a card together for him to give his mom. He can sign his name now to the cards, which is kinda cool. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/39 "2011-02-10T17:36:27Z")
I thought about it, but have never actually done it. My husband and I don’t really celebrate it, either. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821/40 "2011-02-10T20:25:07Z")
My first year away from home my parents came to visit a couple of weeks before Valentine’s Day. On Valentine’s Day my mom emailed me asking if I’ve checked in the cabinet of the side table lately. I hadn’t, as I just stored old gaming stuff in there, so I opened it up and there was a bag of Valentine’s treats in there. She had planted it when they visited earlier! She knew I wouldn’t look in there unless prompted to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-do-you-get-your-kids-valentines-gifts/570821.md?page=3)