How do you feel about Valentine's day?

Why do so many people seem to begrudge card companies, florists and restaurants their odd day in the sun? Of course prices go up at the latter two - supply and demand and the special effort made will lead to that. It always puzzles me that when so much is written about supporting local businesses, so many people seem determined to do the opposite!

We’ll be ordering in from our local gastro pub, and the flowers will come from the local outdoor market, both struggling to survive at the moment. And if you see Hallmark as the devil incarnate, there are some talented artists selling lovely cards online.

We don't normally celebrate but this year will be having a three course meal delivered to our home by a local restaurant. Just feel we needed something to look forward to.

I made the mistake of getting married on Valentines day. When the children were adults we separated and eventually divorced. It is just another day as I have nobody special in my life. A male friend always sends me a card though...just to say I am not forgotten....hahaha

Oh Lupin, here's a card from me ? ?

My husband and I have been together for 46 years - married for 37! We were only 18 when we met, and we always sent each other cards and went out for a meal on Valentine's Day in our younger years!
Somewhere along the line, that all stopped! I can't remember exactly when, but more than likely when our 2 children came along in the 1990s!
I have to say, these days I am inclined to think Valentine's Day is for those in their teens and twenties! Just my personal feelings, I don't expect others to share them! ?
My husband hasn't been in the least bit loving or affectionate to me since he was made redundant in January 2009, at age 51. He's never been able to work again due to health issues. He moved into a separate bedroom several years ago, after he developed sleep apnoea. Romance is a thing of the past for us, and frankly, if he were to send me flowers or a card on Valentine's Day this year, I would be absolutely horrified! ?

I usually get DH a card & maybe some chocolates & he gets me...nothing, which doesn't worry me as he's kind & generous in other ways on other days. This year we're using the occasion to have a slap up meal from a local catering company who are providing a 3 course menu with flowers and prosecco, all delivered to the doorstep. The young lady who runs it has an outstanding business doing weddings, parties etc in normal times but has kept herself ticking over with a very popular range of meals brought to your home. She produces a weekly menu and everything is locally sourced, perfectly cooked and very tasty. We support her as much as we can and are looking forward to the special Valentine's menu & we'll dress up for the occasion!

Have to climb over the heap of cards to get to my front door lol. No, nothing arrives here. Loved when at school and you sat for hours covering a card in verses and big red hearts. Oh and of course the SWALK and a smacker of red lipstick on the seal of the envelope that was covered in perfume. Those were the days, now I'm happy with a cup of tea lol

We usually buy each other a card, my DH gets me flowers and I get him some of his favourite sweets. One or other of us sometimes forgets and it's no big deal. My DH tells me every day that he loves me and is very thoughtful and kind, so 14 February doesn't need to be a "special" day. I know I'm blessed to have such a lovely husband - third time lucky for me though! I do sometimes wonder whether Valentine's Day can be a really difficult day for some of those who've experienced disappointment, bereavement etc.

Far too commercialised, like mothers' day. fathers' day etc. The thought of going to a restaurant on 14 Feb and sharing the occasion with scores of other couples makes me cringe. We got married five days after Valentine's Day so our anniversary is way more important. As we approach our 55th anniversary we think back nostalgically to last year's anniversary and the lovely restaurant meal we had. All the more nostalgic because thanks to Covid we have not eaten out at all since then.

Abandoned it years ago with all the commercialisation. Before marriage a card was the norm and that continued for a few years. Just stopped when there was so much emphasis on buying this and the other to mark the day.

Congratulations Growing0ldDisgracefully on your Ruby Wedding Anniversary!
My husband and I were married on Valentine's Day in 1981, so it's our 40th anniversary too. Back then I was working as a teacher and Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday that year. I went in to work afterwards on the Monday morning and a brass plate with my new name had been put on my classroom door along with lots of decorations made by the children. At playtime I took my bouquet outside and threw it over my shoulder into a crowd of excited children - the little girl who caught it was tickled pink!
It was half-term the following week and we went on honeymoon to Israel - partly because we could fly out on the 21st and return in time for School again on the following Monday.
One of my husband's friends joked that the reason my husband had got married on Valentine's Day was to save on cards and presents - he'd only have to buy one saying Happy Anniversary to my Valentine. Every year for the past 40 years we have sent each other an anniversary card and a Valentine card.
I know my husband has bought me a beautiful ring for our anniversary - we chose it together and it has been resized - and will give it to me on Valentine's Day. We will have a special meal with candles and flowers. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over we hope to celebrate with all our family and friends.

It’s Mr. B’s birthday so we celebrate that rather than Valentines.

Our wedding anniversary is just before the 14th so we ignore the latter and celebrate the former.
This year I’m planning a gastronomic meal to be delivered so we will have to cook it together.?
Actually he will probably do it, whilst I provide encouragement with a glass of bubbly.? have I found the secret of a happy marriage?

It is just another day.....

I haven’t had a valentines card since I divorced 20 years ago. My exhusband used to get me a dozen roses every year, even when he was having an affair. What does that tell you????

We exchange cards and he buys me flowers. Always red roses - he has no imagination, bless him. It will be a wash out this year, as I do all our shopping online and he has no idea how to order anything. Doesn't matter, anyway. We have more important things to worry about.

We decided years ago not to bother, however DH designed a lovely card, 'from us, to us x' Every year since then I put it out on the 14th .

Maggiemaybe

Any reason to celebrate, especially now, is good in my book. We exchange cards and I get flowers, and we always have a special meal, which we’ll buy in this year. And fizz, why not?

Our adult children seem to do the same - no massive gestures, just a bit of extra thought and effort on the day.

Me too, Maggiemaybe, except I only buy cards if I see one that is 'perfect'. So far I have bought one card 3 times in the recent past as the photo of two Grizzly bears cuddling was so perfect... DH doesn't always produce a card but occasionally makes one for me... We always try to have something nice to eat and drink and, as you say, any reason....why not?

I LOVE Valentine’s Day, even though always disappointed when I go to the letterbox lol!!!!
I always made cards for my friends and family, with a few nice words written and then a ‘question mark’ underneath !! I think it’s quite nice to receive some words of love and appreciation now and again. (And I’m not lining the pockets of Hallmark et al as make my own!!!). ❤️❤️❤️

We agreed in recent years not to buy cards or presents for Valentines Day because our wedding anniversary is two weeks after and we buy cards and go out for a meal to celebrate that.

I have never expected a gift, but a card from DH - like he used to do - would be nice, but he doesn't bother now, so I have stopped sending him one too.

Must admit Valentine’s Day celebrations have never been at the top of my list. Especially as I used to be in the restaurant industry. But since changing careers and COVID, this year my other half and I are going to arrange a special meal at home on the 14th as we have been unable to go out to eat at restaurants. Using it as an excuse to have a special meal instead of the usual.

Before we lived together, when we first met, we exchanged a Valentine card once in the post. I suppose that can be nice, to get a card in the post when you're apart, specially when you're young and romantic. But for the last 40 years, we don't bother at all.

Just another day.
It is still huge - I believe it is one of the busiest trading times for florists, 2nd only to Mother’s Day.

Ignored since I turned 16. Fortunately the man I married did the same! But if you do celebrate it, who am I do say it’s nothing but a way to get you to buy the ubiquitous over priced red roses?