Valentine’s Day, is becoming like Halloween.

Thank you, Maremia. Splashing out on a heart-shaped box of chocs. from Fortnum's once a year helped to lift the inspissated gloom of February, and was cheap at the price.

I dislike Valentines Day and do not celebrate.

Give me Halloween any day though. But I am a crazy American.

I've only ever had one Valentine's card in my life (insert sad smiley here!)

TheWeirdoAgain60

I'm with you on that.

I'm constantly single, never had a partner by choice, no family of any sort, and I can't abide all the stupid Valentine stuff, and other yearly things rammed down my throat - Christmas, Halloween, Mother's/Father's day, Easter, Bonfire Night, New Year and any others, that I have absolutely no interest in and never celebrate at all.

It's just another way of getting people to pay a fortune for tat.

That sounds very bitter and smacks of raining on everyone elses parade.

You sound rather like Mr Gradgrind in Dicken's Bleak House. I am sure you have your secret pleasures and moments of joy.

You may have no interst in the traditional celebrations but other people do, and it is a very sweeping declaration that everything sold for these events are tat. Bear in mind that by saying that you are dismissing many people's engagement rings, wedding rings and many treasured and useful possessions.

My DD is single and childless by choice, but it has never stopped her enjoying herself and getting pleasure out of life. Last Saturday we all went to the Lux Muralis light show at Ely cathedral. It was stunning and we were all entranced.

I'm with you on that.

I'm constantly single, never had a partner by choice, no family of any sort, and I can't abide all the stupid Valentine stuff, and other yearly things rammed down my throat - Christmas, Halloween, Mother's/Father's day, Easter, Bonfire Night, New Year and any others, that I have absolutely no interest in and never celebrate at all.

It's just another way of getting people to pay a fortune for tat.

Yes, I too have heard of Galentine's Day but took it to mean treating a Gal (female) friend to a thoughtful gift, a little posy from the garden, home baking or something made especially for them. I think both versions sound lovely, very kind

The young folk have a new version called Galentine's Parties, where you invite your schoolfriends and have night in with them.

"St Valentine is the Patron Saint of beekeepers and epilepsy."

Now this I didn't know and it has cheered me up immensly. Where is the link between the two ?
I don't dislike V day because I'm miserable but because has meant expensive cards /or no cards for me/ or no date so embarrassing and awkward.
As I've said I'm eternally grateful for my sister's being born on the 14th so she has always(no offence) been a deflection.
Also being a Brit all that over the top luvvy stuff makes me a bit uncomfortable.

fancyflowers

I recently watched 'Picnic at Ayers Rick's which began with the girls' Valentine's celebrations. It seemed to be a huge event in their schooldays.

Great film. ( sorry off topic)

I recently watched 'Picnic at Ayers Rick's which began with the girls' Valentine's celebrations. It seemed to be a huge event in their schooldays.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202602/medium-1800bj-img-3975.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202602/medium-783t4b-img-3976.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202602/medium-1mh5ew-img-3978.jpeg

I saw a supermarket marketing a meal delivery offer that was literally hundreds of pounds

Do tell us which one?
In order
Waitrose
Tesco
M&S. illustrated.

“Literally” hundreds of ££££££??? Flying it in by gold plated jet I suppose.

Thank you, Maremia.

The most romantic stays?

Do you mean corsets?

rafichagran

Sorry the kiss x was by accident.

But very welcome 😁

It might be commercialised but I would be hugely disappointed if I didn't get a card at least. And my friend who owns the card and gift shop in the village will probably remind DH if he hasn't been in.

This is exactly how it is Dickens, and I am sadly seeing a definite lack of confidence in a fair few younger people re DIY &house maintenance too. Birthday cakes from a local baker are £120 ish and look great but would they still be ordered if the toddler's party wasn't to be on social media?
My visit to Tesco this week was an eye opener, alongside St Valentin's cards you can delight your loved one with any number of themed wines, gift sets, cookery equipment and even PJs
"The thought that counts" is so last generation dahlings, now its the 'likes' that count!

That must have been gorgeous, Granmarie, having a snowy day wedding. Here are some flowers for you and grumppa and henetha and B9exchange
💐 💐 💐 💐 and another, in case I have missed someone 💐

Oh, I tell a lie, we have Mother’s Day first!!

I do think it’s a lot of nonsense really…and money making nonsense at that. We have always exchanged a card and maybe flowers or chocolates, just a token. But over and above that seems a bit much. I saw a supermarket marketing a meal delivery offer that was literally hundreds of pounds and I feel for all those people who don’t have that sort of money. It all just puts pressure on people…and as someone else said, a lot of the plastic tat is so bad for the planet. (And after that it’s Easter. There’s no let up is there.)

rafichagran

Sorry the kiss x was by accident.

Oh, thought it was for St Valentine's Day!

I like your style rafichagran. I love a bargain too, makes everything taste nicer
XXXs (not accidental!)

Fallingstar

I think if people enjoy it where’s the harm?
Is a huge commercial rip off but then so is Easter and Christmas and I presume adults know this and will either be happy to pay or perhaps find a different way to celebrate. We never really celebrated Valentine’s Day, I think when we were courting, back in the midst of time, we sent cards to each other but cannot remember doing anything else.
Would just advise against red roses, vastly inflated in price, and put a few bunches of daffs together wrapped in a red ribbon. Daffs are presently a £1 a pop in Lidl but you would need a fair few bunches, even so would work out cheaper.

I think if people enjoy it where’s the harm?

... here?

Would just advise against red roses, vastly inflated in price



Without wishing to come across as over-thinking this, I have an instinctive feeling that the commodification of such traditions / events, etc, could ultimately stifle human creativity and ingenuity - even sort of 'commoditise' raw emotion itself, IYSWIM?

I'm thinking of the occasion when my son, fifty odd years ago, came home from school clutching a 'plant-pot holder' he'd made for me for Mother's Day (I was a houseplant enthusiast). Maybe there's no time for such inventiveness now for people who have to work with their nose-to-the-grindstone?

My 'theory' is that as a society we are becoming dumbed-down by modern consumerism that places performative social-media culture above traditional family / community events.

Brutal Capitalism has us keeping our shoulder to the wheel, often with little reward, and has devised ways in which to organise our social and cultural events which we can now 'purchase' - win-win for the corporate world!

... but this is just a personal point of view, and I haven't given it that much thought...

Sorry the kiss x was by accident.

I don't buy presents for Valentines day, just a card and a meal deal, good value fir money.
Being cynical, I go to the supermarket and buy the things that are a day in date snd half the price. So another very cheap meal.
I also buy the deserts to freeze. X

Norah

We celebrate February with Bridgewater heart crockery.

I make no apology for joyous festive weeks.

I've made two crochet blankets, called Emmas's Hearts