Valentine’s Day, is becoming like Halloween.

No, you are not being unreasonable.

No you are not being unreasonable.
Full disclosure the 14th is the birthday of one of my sisters so it has always been primarily someone's birthday to me , rather than another anniversary of my romantic failures.
I've been very happy about that because when I didn't have any Valentines I didn't take it that seriously.

It’s up to you if you want to go along with Valentines Day, nobody forces you.
We never bothered about it but I have friends who love receiving chocolates and flowers, so each to their own.

We were married on Valentine's Day fifty three years ago. It was snowing. It will be my first wedding anniversary without DH, but I have kept last year's card from him so I will display that beside his photo. ❤️

With the miserable state of the world right now, I’ll go along with any excuse to celebrate and have a bit of fun. I’m certainly not averse to a big bunch of flowers and a decent meal deal (with a bottle of fizz). Not forgetting a big, cheesy, or even funny, card.

Grannmarie I hope you can have happy memories of previous Valentine's days.
We got married on the nearest Saturday to Valentine's so have celebrated the anniversary foremost, with just a card and small box of chocolates on Valentines Day. Last year we had booked a hotel in the Cotswolds, but DH had a bleed on the brain on 12th Feb so that was cancelled. He still remembered where he had hidden my anniversary present, and managed to tell DD so she could find it! He is still very disabled, but he wanted to go shopping, so I managed to get him into a shop today and left him on his own for the first time. He spent 20 minutes choosing the two cards for me with his one working hand, and paid for them at the checkout. Very proud of him!

Thanks very much, B9exchange. Glad to hear that your DH is regaining some movement and independence. ♥️

That's kind Grannmarie, I will be thinking of you too on a really hard day for you.

Haven't bothered with Valentine's Day since I was 18. But then I don't really bother with my birthday either, although I try to make a fuss of other people's.

DH has always bought me a big bunch of red roses at Christmas - no idea how it started and I really wish he wouldn't but he thinks I love them and it makes him happy so I will 'enjoy' them every time he does it.

Valentine's Day is becoming so like Halloween it's Scary

We married in February, a few days after Valentines day, so we have always ignored it and celebrated our wedding anniversary instead.

St Valentine is the Patron Saint of beekeepers and epilepsy.

I didn't know that. 🙂
I'd quite like to be given a jar of good honey on 14th February! (As well as some chocolates.)

It will be bitter-sweet for many with their memories though
💐

We always celebrated Valentine's Day across fifty years of marriage, though in recent years we chose to eat well at home rather than pay through the nose to dine out (I cooked). Last year DW was too unwell to get me a card, so I produced a mutual one. It will feel odd this year.

Grumppa, it will, I know. I hope you can find some comfort in memories of happier times together.

Why does it bother you Sago if what you deem as tacky cards and teddy bears are enjoyed by others?

It sort of bothers me, because so much of it is landfill. I don't like Halloween at all, all that plastic.

My halloween stuff is used year in year out. How is that any different to christmas decs.

grumppa and Grannmarie - a sad, bittersweet Valentine's Day for you both and so many others in the same situation.
I'll be thinking of you and send you both

Galaxy

My halloween stuff is used year in year out. How is that any different to christmas decs.

Mine too, Galaxy. Some of it’s been on the go since the grandsons’ parents were tiny. I did buy a dancing skeleton fiddler a few years back that sadly no longer performs. He still looks a bit scary though so keeps making an appearance.

Is it something in the British psyche that keeps them so down on having fun?

Oreo

Is it something in the British psyche that keeps them so down on having fun?

A real pumpkin is better than plastic that!

Likewise, chocolates rather than teddy bears (unless it's a Steiff one, of course!).

Oreo

Is it something in the British psyche that keeps them so down on having fun?

It's Puritan streak that has been with us for nearly 400 years combined with a horror of anything that could be thought to be connected with the Pope and Roman catholicicm.

All those heretic catholics with their mysterious monks (Gothick and horror stories) and outragous ceremonies and processions (Mardi Gras, Saints feasts etc etc. The great British virtue is self control.

I don’t see it as a virtue Monica but a national flaw.

It’s not everyone of course that has a fun deficit, I remember a miserable woman in our street years ago who Mum said ‘ it’s being so cheerful as keeps her going’ and we kids would dissolve into giggles.
Let’s try and enjoy every bit of fun that comes our way including Halloween🎃 and where applicable Valentines Day if wanted.🌹