I’ve never minded it, except for the commercialization aspect.
My sweetie and I… well, let’s say that the clichés don’t seem trite and stupid anymore.
But of course, he can’t be here like we thought 
It hurts. But we’ll have lots more ones together 
Me too!
I strongly dislike this holiday, not least because it has somehow morphed from a day during which couples did something nice for each other (as opposed to the days when they beat on each other with stuffed weasels?) into one in which the male is supposed to grovel in the muck after flinging her weight in semi-precious stones, rare flowers, insulin-shock inducing candy, and wretchedly poor romantic poetry at her feet. I’m no longer sure what the female role is supposed to be. Maybe she bites his head off during sex or something.
[SUB]I also dislike Mother’s Day and instead take my mom out for dinner on my birthday.[/SUB]
I like holidays, but they always seem to come at lousy times for me. Christmas last year was the worst–I was on a really tough month at work, and I had a wedding coming up on the 30th, so Christmas was way down on my list of things to worry about. If I could have, I would have put the whole holiday off until I had time to deal with it–say, April.
I haven’t been so busy this year, but I did underestimate the amount of time I’d have to do any shopping, etc. this week since I am on a rotation with crazy hours.
I support Robert Fulghum’s answer to this dilemma–for a while, he asked his family and friends to simply let him out of holidays. He would hold celebrations and buy gifts when he had the time, money, and inclination to do so.
As for us, we’re going to see Daredevil, since we both thought it was about the least likely date movie possible; it’s as if the studio figured anyone who would want to go see such a nerdy comic book movie obviously doesn’t have a date for V-day. Now that I’ve seen the previews, they may be trying to play up the sex appeal of Affleck and Jennifer Garner and make it into more of a date flick, but I really, really hope not.
Just don’t forget a present from Bee Jewelers–because every blow job begins with Bee!
Dr. J
On the radio yesterday, I heard that the average man spends $95USD on Valentine’s Day. A guy who called in said that number was low; he’d be spending at least $150, if you include dinner.
Sorry, I don’t get it. I’m female, and I’ve been single way to long (ok, never married), but what’s the point in spending $100? To show you love me? I suspect you don’t, bribery won’t work. Now, I admit Valentine’s Day brings out some of my insecurities about not being attractive/lovable, but that is just me. Last year, a good male friend who knows how I feel about the day asked me out to dinner, and, as usual, we both paid. Being somewhat jinxed, I swear, the evening didn’t go all that well, but that was partially my own fault. We got a good laugh out of it.
Assuming I fall in love again, spending a lot of money isn’t necessary. Tell me you love me, that you’re thinking about me, but if you insist on buying flowers and/or chocolates, do it on Feb. 15th when they’re cheaper. Since I am a cheapskate, I’ll be amused and happy that you know me so well. Same with dinner out – the restaurants will be packed enough as it is, and I could do without the crowds. Oh, and don’t be surprised if I pick up something for you.
I’m a hopeless romantic, I admit it, which is one reason I hate Valentine’s Day. It’s not a contest!
CJ
Can I get in one more rant, now that I’ve had my breakfast? A headline on the front page of today’s paper reads, “Devout singles looking for love in all the right places”. One other thing I’m sick of about Valentine’s Day is the assumption that every one out there who’s unattached is desparately looking to become attached by Valentine’s Day (or New Year’s Eve, or St. Swithin’s Day for all I know).
I’m single, and I don’t have a boyfriend right now. I have a lot of things which are a lot more important: a temp job for today, and a couple of nibbles, a gorgeous apartment which is slowly filling with the glowing light of a beautiful sunrise, a mailbox full of Doper Valentines, several wonderful friends who love me, and a whole bunch of really neat people who really like me, including, apparently, some on the SDMB. Besides, the weather forecasters are pulling out full weather alert stops, telling us about a major winter storm which is due to hit this evening (hopefully after I get home!). Now, if I were dating, I could see exploiting this for all it’s worth – “Gee, it’s really snowing heavily. You know, I don’t think it’s safe for you to drive home, so I guess you’ll just have to stay here. ;)” But since I’m not, I don’t have to worry about it.
I would like to fall in love again and to be loved. When I do find “that special someone”, I want to love him because of who he is, not because some nebulous force in society tells me he’s who I’m supposed to love. Objectively, none of the men I’ve loved have been hunks in the physical sense, but they’ve had wit, charm, compassion, and a hundred other qualities, and I wouldn’t trade them for a room full of David Copperfields or Tom Cruises. They’ve also had too much sense to spend nearly $100 just because “everybody else is.”
CJ
My SO and I don’t give a rat’s ass about Valentine’s Day. We don’t need Hallmark to write us a prescription that says “you must be romantic today”. It’s much more appreciated when it’s spontaneous and unexpected.
It means more that my SO does something extraordinarily special for me just out of the blue, for no reason at all, rather than because a date on the calendar syas “you must because you’re supposed to on this day.” Bah.
I get my SO fancy things or little gifts whenever the mood strikes me. Always appreciated because it’s a surprise.
I have not yet spent one single cent on V-day this year, and I don’t remember ever doing so. And I doubt B will mind. Money is for those who aren’t inventive enough on their own;)
Happy birthday, Dooku!
I like Valentine’s Day. I got Mrs. RickJay flowers. We do that sort of thing all the time, but now we throw more cards back and forth. It’s a blast to play it up.
Lighten up. Christ. If life hands you a holiday, have some fun with it.
I got a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift this year - mononucleiosis.
I hate this wretched day.
Well, the fates have decided to play with me. My partner’s grnadfather died last night (a blessing–he was 88, bedridden, and incontinent), so he and his family are gathering in Pennsylvania for the funeral. Since he is not out to his grandmother (a devout Catholic), I’m staying home to look after the cats. My partner is not too broken up about his granddad’s passing, since it’s been expected for some time, but his father is pretty devastated and he is going mostly to console him.
I was supportive and loving, helped him pack, sent him off with a kiss and a hug, but still a self-centered thought creeps in…I’m alone on Valentine’s Day (and the whole weekend, for that matter–he won’t be home until Tuesday). I know, I know, I’m a horrible person for even thinking this so pillory me if you must, I deserve it.
One thing that helps me through Valentine’s is remembering the actual significance of the “heart-shaped” symbol of Valentine’s Day. Have you ever seen an actual heart? It’s a lumpy, not at all “heart-shaped” organ. What a Valentine’s Day symbol actually represents is a butt seen during doggie style sex. The two half moons at the top of the Valentine symbol are butt cheeks.
So, when you offer your sweetie a Valentine, you are saying “I want your butt.” And when your sweetie offers you a Valentine, she is saying, “You can have my butt.”
Now, that’s more like it!
As it turns out, I got my wife a card (from a hallmark store) I stood there and picked out the one that expressed my feelings in a way I never could, I snuck it into her school bag where she would find it later.
She got me a copy of “best in show” on DVD -no card cause she knows how stupid i think they are.
I hate the holliday, but not enough to get divorced over.
Mother’s day?!?! you bastards are mean if you don’t think your mom deserves a day, and if you really think you’re going to adequately express your gratitude for passing your head and shoulders through her uterus, let alone feeding you clothing you and putting up with your adolescent agnst without some mandate. People don’t even call their mother without being told. I’m all for that one being government regulated even.
Auntie Em that was a great story! Sad, but great. Loved the climb-up-your-butt-and-live-there reference.
I’m a holiday whore, actually. I don’t care what holiday it is, I go all out. Just another thing that makes life fun. Yes, I’m the one who buys candy and cards for everyone she knows, gets decked out in all red and runs around all day singing “happy Val-times Day!” I’m the one most of you wanna bitchslap.
If you don’t want to celebrate, don’t. But don’t get your panties in a twist over it! You like to show your sweeties affection throught the year? Good for you! I’m all for it! So that means you can’t do it on the one day of the year that’s put aside to celebrate love? Doesn’t make much sense to me. Sounds more like trying to justify not doing anything, IMHO.
Personally, I think the people who really dig Valentines Day are those who’s S.O’s, don’t do anything for them throughout the year. At least they’re sort of guranteed a romantic gesture for one day. I love my b/f with all my heart, but the boy couldn’t make a romantic gesture if his life depended on it. I’ve been telling him I want flowers for the past two years. Have I gotten them? I’ll let you answer that one.
What Valentines day gives me is hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe this’ll be the year I get some flowers. My b/f even called me to tell me that he had a nightmare that I left him because he didn’t get me flowers.
My response? “Well you better get me some goddamn fucking flowers then!!” While laughing madly. The time for subtle hints has passed. Perhaps today will be the day. My heart is filling with hope as we type…
I just wish my husband would get a clue. He sent me flowers at work after our second date. He used to produce some of the most tear-wrenchingly sweet letters when we were dating.
But not anymore!!!
I like cards. My family was always big on cards. Therefore, I like them. HIS family wasn’t. His ex-girlfriend wasn’t. AND THAT’S HIS EXCUSE FOR NOT GETTING ME CARDS WHEN HE FORGETS. (I’m so sorry - it’s MY birthday, please get ME a card!!!) I even like the super-sappy trifold fake parchment ones. But he doesn’t, so I don’t buy them for him. I’ll buy something simple and sweet (and sometimes a second funny one) because that’s what HE likes. Now, why is it so much to ask that he think about what I like??? And I don’t just mean this time of year. I’m trying to remember if he bought me a card for our FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY last year (because if he did I’m sure I kept it - I keep cards, too). And the only reason I got a sappy card at Christmas 2001 (our first married Christmas) was because I threatened to withhold sex until he made up for it on Valentine’s Day!!
I have hinted that I would like some flowers this year (for the fourth whole time in 3 1/2 years!!!). His response? “We don’t have the money.” WTF??!?!?!? I’m NOT asking for 3 dozen long-stemmed roses hand-picked by goddess-blessed midgets specially trained in love!!! I mean, our local grocery store has a dozen roses for $30, and really pretty bouquets for less than that. And do you know WHY we don’t have the money??? Because he INSISTED that we go on our pre-planned weekend cabin trip with friends that ended up costing like $250 for the both of us AFTER he was out of work for a month!!! And I’ve tried being subtle when it comes to what I want. It doesn’t work. And if I’m forthright about it, I’m being a nagging bitch and doesn’t he get a break now and then!!!
PHEW!!! Ok, I know I may sound kind of psycho here, but he just doesn’t seem to care that sappy little gestures are important to ME. I am so excited for all of you who have husbands who do wonderfully sweet and thoughtful things for you throughout the year. Bully for you!! For the rest of us (who like a little romance), we COUNT on these holidays to make sure he hasn’t forgotten that we do more than laundry, dishes, and cooking.
Man is he gonna be in the shithouse tomorrow!!!
See, I have auntie em as my Valentine, so the day is pretty much just North of wonderful for me.
Yay for love! Right? 
Avarie537
I know exactly how you feel. I’ve tried explaining to the S.O. that I don’t understand why he can’t do something simple like buy me some flowers or a card when he knows it would mean so much to me. That’s what kills me. I know he loves me, and he does show it in other ways, but damn, all I want is some freakin’ flowers! Sigh We’re meeting for lunch in an hour, I’ll see if today’s the day!
And money isn’t even a consideration. I’ve told him he could walk his piddly little ass outside and pick some damn flowers and I’d be ecstatic. Money is nuthin’ but an excuse…
You asked for it, Buddy . . . bend over & spread ‘em, my pillow and I are comin’ in (now, this may hurt a little . . . )!