Do you and your significant other celebrate v-day?

[Trill Co$by]

Valentine's Day... a holiday that was literally created by Hallmark just so that they can receive a bigger pay day has now become an internationally accepted Holiday where many couples spend countless of money to pay for the usual flowers, chocolates, and even a nice dinner. It's the one day where men are told to do something and they do it because they have to.

Or do they?

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how I don't do Valentine's day. I never have, and probably never will... because I'm not the kind of person who likes having to buy someone something just because it's February 14th. To me, that's stupid. If you're going to be romantic, then do something nice when they're not expecting it... Like in the middle of the fall when it starts to get cold, bring your significant other something nice to warm them up. That, to me, is what makes someone a true romantic.

I really feel like people who buy Valentine's day gifts are usually suckered into a cycle that really doesn't make sense to me. Christmas makes sense to me, Hanuka makes sense to me... Mother's and Father's day makes sense to me... but Valentine's day? No, I just can't wrap my head around why I should be suckered into a day where I'm forced to buy my significant other something as opposed to doing it on a whim and being more of a romantic.

But anyway, time for you guys to discuss...

Do you celebrate Valentine's day?

If no, why not? And what are your opinions on people who do?

If yes, why so? And what are your opinions on people who don't?

 

[Paralyzer Z]

Do you celebrate Valentine's day?

I wouldn't say celebrate as in through a big party on that date, but I do recognize it as such a holiday. Valentine's day is more of an observant and passive day for me. I watch couple's dramatic gift exchanging and the occasional arugement with enjoyment. It's like I am a member of an audience watching a soap opera operate in real life. The over exaggerations and the enormous smiles on everyone is just so over the top.

Now I have never had a "significant other", nor have I ever been the recipient of a romantic gift. Romance simply isn't something I excel at, nor is it an mental entity that I have care for. I get gifts from family and some friends (I will admit none of those gifts have ever been from someone not in my family that is of the opposite sex). If Valentine's day celebration is restricted to absolute romantic related events then I don't partake of celebrate in it, if you consider it a day to get candy from friends and family then I guess I do celebrate it.

If no, why not? And what are your opinions on people who do?

As I stated I have never had anything close to a romantic partner so it depends on your definition of the Valentine's day. I think that the people that do partake in it are just having fun. There's nothing wrong with getting extra romantic one day of the year, plus it provides plentiful drama for observers to indulge in watching it. If they want to be lovey-dubby on February 14 than I am not someone to criticize them for it.

 

[LSN80]

Absolutely, especially since the day holds an incredible significance to my wife and I: On February 14th, 2007, we got engaged.

It was totally unexpected, in the sense that we had only been dating since June of the previous year. But after a month or so into the relationship, I knew I was in love with her. I've always been shy about saying "I love you" to a girl, because I take it seriously. I dated a girl for 2 years before I told her I loved her, and dated another for over a year before doing so. But I felt so confident in this relationship that after a month and a half of dating, I told her I loved her. She returned the sentiment, and on the way home from my sister's wedding that August, we talked the possibility of marriage. For both of us, it just felt right. We ran into many problems along the way, but the sincerity was there. But even with the I love you's and talks of marriage, the ring was completely unexpected, because we'ld only been together 8 months.

The reason I love celebrating Valentine's day most of all with my wife is because she doesn't expect anything from me. Seriously, can you imagine something better then trying to fish for clues(poorly) as to what to get someone, and for them to tell you that the most important gift is simply being with you? I'll be the first to admit I'm a sappy romantic, so when she says things like that, it melts my heart. I'm also much more likely to put out.

Anyways, I love celebrating Valentine's day with my wife. It's become such a pressure free thing for me that I find myself being creative, and doing or buying things for her that are out of the ordinary. And even if the gift winds up being something she doesn't like, sher always is appreciative of the effort. So yeah, tomorrow will be a special day for us, as it's been the 5 previous years. Can't wait.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I celebrate Valentine's Day. Last year I got my wife a huge heart shaped box of chocolates, she was pleasantly surprised by it. I also got us heart shaped gummies to share. I think it's important to do something special for your special someone on that day. Up until I got married I had no one to spend it with though. Every single year, something would inevitably happen to where if I was not single I'd be fighting with the girl I was with, or if I was single then I'd somehow be unable to find a date that week. One year in college I ended up going to a speed dating event on Valentine's Day for single people only. I got one girl's number but our date never happened due to the fact that when I called her she immediately showed me why she was still single, she was rather mean.

It's an awful day for the single crowd. When I was a teen I'd call it "Let's make single people hate their lives day". If possible, I recommend finding something fun to do with your other single friends. Perhaps have a guys' night and go bowling or eat some pizza. Just because you might not have a lady to spend this holiday with doesn't mean you still can't have a good time with your buddies, and I often found that to be the best solution before I was married. I have something special planned for my wife this year again. I work a closing shift so we might not be able to have a Valentine's dinner unless I can get my schedule revised at the last minute, much to her disappointment, so I plan on having flowers and chocolates waiting for her when she comes home. She gets off work tomorrow an hour after I start, so it would work out just right to surprise her. If I didn't have to work a closing shift I'd still get her the flowers and chocolate but I'd see about maybe having a dinner date and getting some ice cream afterwards. I'll likely end up taking her out this weekend if I do have to work. That date's happening, just might not get to be on V-Day itself.

 

[SalvIsWin]

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how I don't do Valentine's day. I never have, and probably never will... because I'm not the kind of person who likes having to buy someone something just because it's February 14th. To me, that's stupid. If you're going to be romantic, then do something nice when they're not expecting it... Like in the middle of the fall when it starts to get cold, bring your significant other something nice to warm them up. That, to me, is what makes someone a true romantic.

I really feel like people who buy Valentine's day gifts are usually suckered into a cycle that really doesn't make sense to me. Christmas makes sense to me, Hanuka makes sense to me... Mother's and Father's day makes sense to me... but Valentine's day? No, I just can't wrap my head around why I should be suckered into a day where I'm forced to buy my significant other something as opposed to doing it on a whim and being more of a romantic.

I know where you're coming from, but I disagree. You be romantic whenever you want, you can buy a gift for your special other whenever you'd like, but it's nice to have a set day where you both know you're going to do something special for the other person. I don't act romantic on Valentine's Day and then fuck off for the rest of the year, there are plenty of times when I want to be romantic or loving, and there are plenty of times where I will be romantic when my fiance isn't expecting it. I don't see how people are suckered into anything, people are romantic more than one day a year, but it's nice to have a day of the year where couples are recognized and catered to - I think that makes sense.

If yes, why so? And what are your opinions on people who don't?

It's their prerogative but they're probably making life harder for themselves by doing so. I can't see many women (if you're a straight man) who would be cool with not doing Valentine's Day - they love it.

 

[harrythem]

Nope, don't do it, won't do it and think it's a load of bollocks. The wife was not convinced at first but, to me, I love her and I want to show her that as often as possible. I don't need to spend stupidly high amounts of money on petty things to show her that when I can get them for a fraction of the price every other day of the year! It's the same way I don't let her get me fathers day stuff (but I'll let the little bugger make stuff at nursery, home-made stuff is cool).

Basically I'm not romantic, and I'm a tight cunt, but it works for us. I can get why people celebrate it, I just think they're mental!

 

[JWGunslinger]

Yes but the thing about the way we celebrate it is we don't do the hallmark shit, I will occasionally pick up flowers for her out of the blue throughout the year and do the nice stuff expected of men on Valentines Day throughout the year.
The thing is that we spend our V day our own special way, we stay home together and done whatever the hell we feel like if anything as long as we spend the day together being happy. We'll watch movies, go get some candy and have a LOST marathon and maybe have a nice dinner. But one of the things I love about my fiance is that she isn't into the big going out and having a fancy dinner and getting showered with useless shit. The most important thing to her is time together without anything getting in the way, and I absolutely love her for that.

I don't hold anything against people who celebrate in any other way, I just prefer our way. I think doing the whole gift and cards and fancy shit is fine on occasion too because it's nice to do things for the one you love but it shouldn't be expected like so many do these days. If you have a problem with valentines day you're upset or lonely, so sack up, pull a Barney Stinson and go snag a lonely single girl next desperation day.

 

[Danger Burger]

Val's happens to be the anniversary for myself and the significant other (through no fault of anyone's but four scottish musicians) but our celebration takes more of a form of jest than anythig else. Last F14 i sent here a PIL "this is not a love song" vinyl and we went to see the muppets... Hardly a hallmark moment? But the next day i got her some flowers and an alphonse mucha poster and forced her to get drunk.... I think she appreciated it?

I've done other things when i was younger, bought teddies and roses, jewlary and chocolates... It really doesnt matter. Like the others were saying about single people, it can suck for them, but it can also suck for the girl in a relationship if the guy doesnt care too much about the holiday and ignores her. Not to paint all with the same brush, but i cant imagine a girl who wouldnt like to be the centre of her mans world for just one day a year... Not that you cant do it every other day of the year, but if every other couple is "suckered into a cycle" i dont want to leave my lady out. If she likes it, i'd say go all out, whats the harm? Even if you dont like hallmark, you can easily fold over a piece of paper and make a thoughtful card and steal flowers from your neighbours garden. I almost guarentee it will be more appreceated than a $200 necklace and a pre-written card. And its certainly no more than a five minute loss from your day. If that seems difficult, i dont know what to tell you. Maybe i'm just lucky.

On the otherside of things, i've never seen a guy too beat up about being left out, and i only spent one teenage year with a girlfriend. Most guys would rather take the night easy with their ladies than go all helium balloons and a sky-writer. A movie, some chocolate, good dinner ad a beer often warm a heart much better than a pricey tie or whatever the hell a guy would get for a gift!! (I'm not a big reciever!)

 

[Silly Willy Nilly Vanilly in the Milly]

Do you celebrate Valentine's day?

I've only had 3 Valentine's days where I was dating at that time, 2 of which were with the same girl. Both those V-days, her and I just spent the day together, alone, away from people. The 3rd was this past V-day with my most recent ex. I gave her roses, chocolates, etc., like most anyone would do, and other than seeing her in a skimpy dress that looked SO FREAKING GOOD ON HER, I got nothing in return, not so much as a thank you. Henceforth, no, I have before, but never again.

If no, why not? And what are your opinions on people who do?

See above.
If people do, that's their thing, and I respect that. IMO, you should spend everyday with your significant other as if it were V-day.

If yes, why so? And what are your opinions on people who don't?

Again, see above.
If you don't, again, your thing, respect for it. Heck, one may have had a similar experience to my own.