Anti-Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again - Valentine's Day - when couples around the world declare their undying love for one another. Or not.

Gransnetters turn out to have a love/hate relationship with the whole farrago of hearts and flowers and remembering to have sex - so here's our grumpy guide to having a great anti-Valentine's Day.  

Sorry, but we're anti-Valentine's Day

"It's now just an industry to sell things, same with Mother's Day, Father's day, Easter etc. Take what you want from each 'celebration' and ignore the others." Rosiebee

"I do hate the commercial element of it (I am not being bah humbug honest) - a card, fine - but these days it's so OTT (ditto Halloween and so many others)." katykat

"What's Valentines Day?! My husband insists that he does not need a special day to tell me what he thinks of me [wink]." glassortwo

"Bah, humbug - it's all done for the benefit of the card manufacturers and the florists." yogagran

"I think of Valentine's Day as being one [of many] occasions, which people are expected to make certain gestures. We live each day in way that speaks of love (the caring/sharing variety) and, for us, that is what counts." supernana

"Diarised sex! Not exactly spontaneous or romantic." phoenix

Half a century and still no card...

"I've known my hubby for just over 50 years, married for almost 50, and still no Valentine's card!" numberplease

"My husband and I have been together for 43 years and Valentine's Day has passed unremarked during all that time." aneainsworth

"I used to long for even just one (genuine) Valentine's card when I was a teenager. If I did get one it was generally from my granddad!" gillybob

"My husband has always maintained that Valentine's day is for "the young'uns". Not quite sure how young as I have not had a card from him since I was 22!" syberia

"No romance in my life. But I am totally in love with my darling grandson so I am completely fulfilled! Who needs a man?" Nightowl

Romantics do exist

"I used to hate Valentine's Day when I was with my ex. It just got ignored to be honest. But now I live with Mr Romance and I have to admit it's lovely." vampirequeen

"It's a good excuse to send little choccies and suchlike to the grandkids." j07

"We still have the first cards that we bought each other all those years ago and I get them out every year." glammanana

"We still mark the occasion with a bit of rumpy pumpy... going with the essence of the day..." Lescombes

"We exchange cards, but [last] year my husband amazed me by booking a restaurant; we don't normally do that." GoldenGran

"My husband just offered to buy me some wellies for Valentine's day. I turned him down, I hope that wasn't it." kittylester

What to do instead 

"I think I may celebrate anti Valentine's day this year - get my single friends round and watch the least romantic film we can think of." katykat

"For all who feel sad on V-Day, maybe we should just start by doing something, anything, however small, that shows we love ourselves." GadaboutGran

"Valentine's Day love doesn't need to come from your other half - pamper yourself and enjoy the fun with your [children]." carol

If you want to boycott Valentine's Day altogether and focus on something rather more serious, why don't you take a look at One Billion Rising's campaign and see if there is an event happening near you?

"Yes! A 'feminist tsunami' is how it has been described. One doesn't need to be a feminist to object to violence against women. Pease join any gathering in your area and swell the numbers of women across the world who want to make their voices heard loud and clear on 14 February." Whenim64

"It's fantastic to see this is really taking off." Butty

Image: Shutterstock