to hate Valentine's day?

22 years ago my DH asked me to marry him on Feb 13th because he couldn't face doing it on Valentine's day. Nobody could accuse him of being a great Romantic! We have our own little celebration on the 13th. Well that's not quite true, I make a fuss of it and try to cook something a bit more special. He rolls his eyes - and then eats it. We do exchange cards on the 14th but never presents and wouldn't dream of going out for a meal - much too cheesey. Some years ago I was on a weekend away with a girl friend and it just happened to fall on a Valentine's weekend. When we went down to dinner in the evening, the dining room had been transformed with balloons, banners and all things red and pink. Every item on the menu had a dreadful name to go with it. It was all excruciating and to our eyes hilarious.
It's just an industry now to sell things, same with Mother's Day, Father's day, Easter etc. Take what you want from each 'celebration' and ignore the others.

JessM What a good idea – definitely an act of love.

One of my aunts was married on 14 February which always struck me as rather romantic. The fact that she had to get out of a sickbed as she was ill with pleurisy and there was thick snow in the ground didn't apparently, spoil the occasion.

I have never sent a Valentine – I think men send them to women, generally young, unmarried ones in both cases.

I have only once sent an Valentine's card and that was when my DH and I started going out together. I remember we had a colossal row and split up - I think we just "fell" into going out together afterwards. I have never ever sent one since and we've been married forty one years this July!

Go to a 14th of Feb demo about violence against women instead of worrying about this load of maybe ?

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

If it's any consolation Katykat DH and I have been together for 43 years and Valentine's Day has passed unremarked during all that time.
I would be astonished if any of my friends who are 'in relationships' receive anything from their OH's either.
So you aren't missing much.
Agree with you about the commercialisation.

It's a good excuse to send little choccies and suchlike to the grandkids. Nothing else goes on round here.

katykat I'm with you on this! After spending Christmas alone, then having Happy Couples Day rubbed in your face a few weeks later adds insult to injury!

It's up the individual how far they want to go though katykat a simple card for Valentine's day or the dozen red rose chance would be a fine thing.

My grandchildren adore Halloween as they love dressing up so I don't think there is any harm in it really.

but also 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)

petra I know you are right - and I do count my blessings. But I just hate that day because it's so in your face about being part of a couple that if you're not it's like something is wrong with you. 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

gilly I am taking the line that it may be best not to ask!!!

I used to hate Valentines Day when I was with my ex. Well it just got ignored tbh. But now I live with Mr Romance and I have to admit it's lovely.

Oh, Katykat. Don't feel inadequate because of something as frivolous as Valentines Day. Surely you are worth more than that.

Joan - love it!

Joan it is my DGS's Birthday too and we have another 4 birthdays between end of Jan and Feb. The shops clear out their Christmas Cards and go straight to Valentines Cards so I very cleverly bought all five birthday cards last November I have, of course, no idea where they are now

Ooooooooooh glass and what would that be I wonder?

Whats Valentines Day !!!!!! My DH insists that he does not need a special day to tell me what he thinks of me

Lucky you Joan I used to long for even just one (genuine) valentine card when I was a teenager. If I did get one it was generally from my grandad !

That's very funny, Joan!

It's my birthday though! I remember when I was a skinny spotty 14 year old getting loads of (birthday) cards, and the postie looking at me in disbelief.