"If music be the food of love, play on" - Shakespeare
It’s Valentine's Day next week; the consummate day of love and romance, when lovers across the world celebrate with blood red roses, chocolate hearts, jewellery, cuddly stuffed animals and candlelit dinners for two..... nauseating, isn't it ?!
Though many couples and singles do something special to mark the occasion, almost as many on both sides of the relationship aisle confess to loathing the sugary day of romance and the stress, depression, guilt and disappointment that bubble to the surface when it arrives, maddeningly, year after year.
So, Bloggers, are you one of those people who complain that it's a commercialised holiday created by De Beers, greeting card companies and florists (but ends up buying a box of chocolate hearts for your mate anyway ‘cos you don’t want the hassle not buying a gift will get you …. or is this a sure path to sex ??) Or, do you sincerely, and genuinely, get all doe-eyed and outlay some of your hard-earned on chocolates, flowers, lingerie, diamonds, and stuffed teddy bears in order to demonstrate your love and affection for your partner (or partner wanna-be) ?
Or do you hate it? Do you detest it with a virulent passion ? Do you feel nauseated at the thought of the sappy qualities that characterize 14th Feb ? Are you a bah-humbug, Valentine’s Day scrooge who despises what you say is the corny, forced sentimentalism of a contrived, overly commercialised day ?
Personally, I Valentine’s Day is one of the most annoying and cliché days of the year, seducing people into thinking the way to someone’s heart is through material things. Perhaps that's because I am fortunate enough to be married to a man who not only tells me he loves me, but shows me in countless ways every day that he loves me. (But - and this pains me greatly to admit - I would be a complete liar if I didn't confess that a tiny part of me feels quite envious of those girls who get enormous bouquets of roses delivered to their offices each Feb 14th !)
What about you Bloggers - do you or don't you get with the Valentine's Day Program ??
Do Fish Dream ?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Valentine's Day - Hallmark Hype or Consummate Romanticism ?
Posted by Tex's Missus at 2/10/2008 08:14:00 PM
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19 comments:
I kinda like it it a tacky way....I would probably like it all the more had DeBeers ever figured my any of my valentines days tho! ;o)
Ahhh I think it is the most beautiful, romantic, red rose and oils day...I would rather one forgot my birthday than valentines day...i love romantic picnics, cheesy cards, roses petals strewn everywhere, favourite songs playing, candlelit dinners, walks on the beach, cuddles on the headland...
God I would love that anyday, but should definitely be a day that celebrates love...god we have enough days dedicated to old fossils that mean nothing...Love love love love ahhhh I love romance
YUCK! Now with this said...I am making up 450 Candy Grams for my daughter's school (I am shocked that they sold that many). And the notes that the kids are writing are really cute. I am also baking heart shaped cookies...
I bought Matt a Guinness wall clock and have threaten death if he buys me flowers because they are way overpriced.
I am romantic everyday except Valentine's Day :)
Valentine's Day is a perfect time to celebrate being single so I don't have to buy into all the crap.
Growing up, my mom had a florist shop so it was obviously the second busiest day of the year. Perhaps that's where it my blech thoughts of the day started.
When I was with John we mutually decided to boycott the fuss. We knew we loved each other and didn't have to try and "prove" it on a fake holiday....
Well... I love having reasons to do little sweet things for J so I like it for that reason, but often feel such anxiety over getting the right goodies for him! I think its nuts how you have to have reservations months in advance if you just happen to want to dine out that night too. Sheesh. A wee bit obnoxious. So its love/hate for me!
Valentine's Day is nothing more than a day for women to make their men squirm and curse another day that they have to make it "perfect" b/c if not, then they are damned for days, weeks, or even months to come with their quivering. Not all women are like that, but damnations, i would have to say that most are. Love isn't expressed through money...that's what a strip club is for!
Meh, take it or leave it.
Yeah, it's a day for the romantic to expect stuff, rather than accept the joys life has to offer every day.
The more people build it up into a big romantic expectation, the more pressure they put on someone around them to deliver according to their own fantasy.
It is only another day in the year and I don't suddenly feel all gushy about it, and if I did decide to do anything for my lovely wife, it would be an attempt at not spending nothing, because the very fact of spending money cheapens love in my eyes, and I'd probably go out in the bush and find some flowers or make a nice card for her, or just leave an unexpected note, or have a surprise waiting at home with something I've done to the house which wasn't expected.
These are things I do on occasion, but I see the attempt to focus all this stuff on one day as little more than very smart advertising to sell lots of shit to people who don't need it.
Whoops, I meant not spending anything, what a dill.
Aw Tex, what a sweetie - have you got a brother and is he single?
I'm with Tina take it or leave it. We usually just get cards for each other...I know just caving into hallmark.
I like Tex's idea of romance...my husband was a surfer, and often on the way home he would grab some flowers from the sand dunes...and put them in water, ... I loved that he was thinking of me...he did look cute walking home with his board under his arm and a handful of flowering weeds...all the old ducks in our street loved it..
Poetry is my thing. If I have time to write it I will.
Hey guys, I, personally really appreciate what Valentine's day is about at the core; taking time out to focus on the one you love and letting them KNOW how much they mean to you...some of you guys are saying the sweetest stories (Abbey, the dune flowers are killing me) and I have to let you know something;
I work for Dove Chocolate (perfect for this time of year, yes? :) and right now we have an "Expressions of Love" contest in which we are asking ladies (and gents ;) to submit the most creative ways they let their loved ones know they love them. The winner will receive a 5.58cts "Baby's Breath" necklace worth $21,000 (a rather nice gift for the holiday!).
I am just trying to get the word out to people who truly have CREATIVE, charming ideas that would make nice entries for the contest ;) Hit up www.mydovechocolate.com if you'd like to enter and definitely let me know if you do! Would love to hear someone blog about winning ;)
Thanks so much guys!
*And btw, for anyone still looking for a last minute gift, we are customizing boxes of chocolates this year (personalized messages, etc), but go enter the contest! :O)
My hubby being from the Mideast never heard of such a holiday until I dragged him to the states. Needless to say, I have never gotten much on Valentines day. But once he left me a tiny little card on my car seat for me to see as I left to work. I still cherish it to this day.
~Deborah
Cool ass sparkles on your comment thingy and post titles!!!!!!!
I wish I knew how to do that fancy stuff!
Valentines Day is just another day to me.I admit I do try to not be so bitchy on that day but it still doesn't stop me from thoughts of putting rat poison in my old mans soup. he he Just kidding!
We have been together almost 30 years so most of the romance is gone.However I won't pass up a box of chocolates if he offers them to me.
Scrooge, no two ways about it. Here's my take on it.
http://diceshooter60.blogspot.com/2008/01/goddamn-valentines.html
Ah, Single-awareness Day. I used to enjoy it because of Chocolate. Now that I'm diabetic, I have nothing to be happy about.
If my grandchildren lived nearby I'd offer them some warm breakfast spicebread, with lacy paper doilies and little spring flowers. It seems a good sweet holiday for children.
As an adult, I'm a Romantic with a capital R. I love storms, trackless wilderness, hidden valleys, authentic feeling. In my marriage, I did not want to be taken out to dinner or showered with consumer items, or put on a sexual command performance. A walk would be good.
As a widow, I pretty much ignore Valentine's day, which seems to require that we should all feel love, all together now, on cue. Or pretend to.
--Grandma
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