Gransnet forums

Chat

St Valentine…..did you get a card or gift?

(112 Posts)
Sago Tue 14-Feb-23 11:45:11

Over 30 years ago on this day I gave birth to our second child our first son.
My husband left the hospital at 4.00 am and returned at lunchtime with a courgette in a brown paper bag, he said the flowers were all outrageously priced because it was Valentine’s Day!
Never been quite sure why a courgette, it remains a mystery.
Since then I have always told him not to bother despite our finances being in much better shape now!
It is now just our sons birthday but perhaps secretly I would like a card, flowers or a little treatšŸ˜‰

LadyHonoriaDedlock Tue 14-Feb-23 14:04:55

As most of the middle-market restaurants in town are plugging Valentine's Day romantic meals for two, I got to thinking as I always do at this time of year that I'd much rather be dined at home, or dined out on almost any other day of the year, than be made an excuse for price-gouging.

I always tell prospective partners not to give or send me [Saint] Valentine's Day flowers or cards, or take me for a meal on that day, or be made to feel guilty for not doing so. Flowers, cards and meals out are, of course, very welcome on any other day including, but not restricted to, my birthday, the cats' birthdays and the Friday of the Old Trafford Test.

Grannytomany Tue 14-Feb-23 14:05:02

I’ve never had a card or present or anything similar from my husband of 53 years.

Aldom Tue 14-Feb-23 14:17:10

Thank you to all who have sent kind thoughts to those of us who no longer receive Valentine cards/gifts.
Eighteen years ago today my darling husband was dying. He couldn't speak or move. I told him that it was Valentines day and that he was my Valentine. I spoke of our shared happy Valentines days of the past. My husband smiled and made affirmative sounds. It meant so much to me, knowing that he had understood. I treasure the memory of that special few minutes.
Enjoy sharing Valentines day all who can. flowers

Norah Tue 14-Feb-23 14:20:46

Aldom So lovely flowers

Norah Tue 14-Feb-23 14:23:07

flowers For all missing their loved one.

M0nica Tue 14-Feb-23 14:31:05

We have never bothered with Valentines day. Our wedding anniversary is on 17th February, so Valentine's Day seemed a bit superflous and prices have fallen by 17th, so we can push the boat out further if we want to.

B9exchange Tue 14-Feb-23 15:28:43

We share your anniversary M0nica, I had forgotten. Happy Anniversary for Friday!

Fleurpepper Tue 14-Feb-23 15:37:01

Nah, he is not the silly romantic type- we had a hug and a kiss, and that is fine. We don't need yet another commercial 'Murican thing at all.

Bea65 Tue 14-Feb-23 15:45:23

Happy Galentines šŸ’to All

Juggernaut Tue 14-Feb-23 15:48:14

Like Sago, I gave birth to our son on St Valentine's day, in my case it was 36 years ago!
On the day of our son's birth, I got a beautiful card (bought days in advance), and an Orchid in a display box. A full week in hospital (I was extremely ill after a very rough birth) suited the Orchid far better than it suited me!
Although it has been our son's birthday celebration ever since, I still get a card with a soppy message, and a present, usually jewellery, today I received a pair of amber earrings!
We've just returned home from having lunch out with our son, DiL couldn't get the day off work, and their son is in school, so for the first time in many years, it was just the three of us, and it was wonderful!
Happy St. Valentine's day to all of us!

Gossamerbeynon1945 Tue 14-Feb-23 15:49:25

I got absolutely nothing. He had a stroke ( and an affair with a work colleague) 7 years ago, and now can't speak! I didn't expect anything from him - but he used to on Valentine's Day

Juggernaut Tue 14-Feb-23 15:54:30

@Fleurpepper,
Romantic celebrations for St Valentine's day were first mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1375, and has absolutely nothing at all to do with America, mainly as the western world didn't even know that America existed back then!

kittylester Tue 14-Feb-23 16:06:01

Giving each other a card or a small present (or a large one) isn't being taken in by commercialism in my view. It's a nice, gentle way of showing someone that you value them. DH shows me every (well almost every) day that he loves me and I hope I do the same. But a card just adds a little light and joy every now and again.

But, horses for courses.

BigBertha1 Tue 14-Feb-23 16:06:28

We don't do it at all as my birthday is on the 12th so ive had all my treats for a while.

Greenfinch Tue 14-Feb-23 16:08:56

What a lovely memory Aldom. Something special to hold on to .A blessed St. Valentine’s Day to you.

Redhead56 Tue 14-Feb-23 16:20:27

A card with money in flowers bought a few days ago and a cook at home meal from Sainsbury's.
My DH didn't get married until he was in his forties and has always been romantic.

Doodledog Tue 14-Feb-23 16:30:17

We each got a card, from the same anonymous people who send us them every year.

Oddly, their handwriting is very similar to that of both of us.

MawtheMerrier Tue 14-Feb-23 16:39:46

Fleurpepper

Nah, he is not the silly romantic type- we had a hug and a kiss, and that is fine. We don't need yet another commercial 'Murican thing at all.

By which I assume you mean ā€œAmericanā€ which of course it isn’t.

Galaxy Tue 14-Feb-23 16:40:48

We used to just send each other a valentine card. A couple of years ago I bought him a surprise gift, he felt terrible as he hadnt bought anything, we are now in a turn taking battle to make the other feel bad via unexpected gift giving. I got flowers today and he got nowt so he feels very smug. It's a mature approachgrin

fancythat Tue 14-Feb-23 16:54:59

Will do on Thursday. Too busy today.
I buy a card and put a word or two in it. Send it. He accepts the card, writes something in it and gives it to me!

As you can see, we can be financially tight! And dont stick rigidly to even the exact date.

Nannytopsy Tue 14-Feb-23 17:06:58

I got a 3 pronged hand cultivator for weeding and he got a box of Cornish pasties. Practical and not at inflated prices šŸ˜€Both from some anonymous admirer!

SueDonim Tue 14-Feb-23 17:15:20

My Dh has just offered to make pancakes because he thought it was also Pancake Day! 🤣🤣

Fleurpepper Tue 14-Feb-23 17:15:48

MawtheMerrier

Fleurpepper

Nah, he is not the silly romantic type- we had a hug and a kiss, and that is fine. We don't need yet another commercial 'Murican thing at all.

By which I assume you mean ā€œAmericanā€ which of course it isn’t.

The massive commercialisation of it is.

dotpocka Tue 14-Feb-23 17:19:05

30 tears ago was our first date he bought me a plush bunny
hes gone now but i always think about my bunny.our dog actually got ahold of it and it became rooks til he took it apart few months later

henetha Tue 14-Feb-23 17:20:29

Surprisingly I received an online greetings card from an online old friend. Must admit I was tickled pink.