Valentine's Day!

I would say this is more a person preference thing rather than a "here in the UK" thing...

If that's your experience here fair enough, but as a Brit who's lived here nearly all her life (apart from 3 years in the US) I'd still hold firm on that view!  I've asked one or two people quickly and they also view St Valentine's as a romantic day for lovers.  Anyway horses for courses - whatever makes you tick!

If that's your experience here fair enough, but as a Brit who's lived here nearly all her life (apart from 3 years in the US) I'd still hold firm on that view!  I've asked one or two people quickly and they also view St Valentine's as a romantic day for lovers.  Anyway horses for courses - whatever makes you tick!

In my observation it's mainly viewed that way in the US as well, but it's not unheard of to just get cards for everyone. My mother sent my DF and me a card. She had to write "Future" over "son-in-Law" 

It probably dates me - but I still remember having parties at grade school for Valentine's Day, usually with KoolAid & cupcakes or cookies.  Before the day, we would have each decorated a shoe box to be our individual desk's Valentine 'mailbox', cutting a little slot into the lid, for receiving the miniature Valentine cards that we would exchange with each other (similar to the small Christmas cards that children here exchange at school before Christmas?).  We also made Valentines for giving to our parents as well.

I was relating this to an English friend here last week & she couldn't recall having ever done anything like that for Valentine's Day in school here.

I wonder if they still do that in schools in the US now?  I thought it was a sweet tradition & most of the children (back in my day - oh I sound old now!) were pretty good about giving a Valentine to everyone, so no one was excluded - not as I recall anyway (and I'd have known because I was the fat kid!).  

It probably dates me - but I still remember having parties at grade school for Valentine's Day, usually with KoolAid & cupcakes or cookies.  Before the day, we would have each decorated a shoe box to be our individual desk's Valentine 'mailbox', cutting a little slot into the lid, for receiving the miniature Valentine cards that we would exchange with each other (similar to the small Christmas cards that children here exchange at school before Christmas).  We also made Valentines for giving to our parents as well.

I was relating this to an English friend here last week & she couldn't recall having ever done anything like that for Valentine's Day in school here.

I wonder if they still do that in schools in the US now?  I thought it was a sweet tradition & most of the children (back in my day - oh I sound old now!) were pretty good about giving a Valentine to everyone, so no one was excluded - not as I recall anyway (and I'd have known because I was the fat kid!). 

We did this too and I'm no where NEAR as old as you!!!        I loved the Valentine's party!

We did this too and I'm no where NEAR as old as you!!!

Nowhere near! 

It probably dates me - but I still remember having parties at grade school for Valentine's Day, usually with KoolAid & cupcakes or cookies.  Before the day, we would have each decorated a shoe box to be our individual desk's Valentine 'mailbox', cutting a little slot into the lid, for receiving the miniature Valentine cards that we would exchange with each other (similar to the small Christmas cards that children here exchange at school before Christmas?).  We also made Valentines for giving to our parents as well.

I was relating this to an English friend here last week & she couldn't recall having ever done anything like that for Valentine's Day in school here.

I wonder if they still do that in schools in the US now?  I thought it was a sweet tradition & most of the children (back in my day - oh I sound old now!) were pretty good about giving a Valentine to everyone, so no one was excluded - not as I recall anyway (and I'd have known because I was the fat kid!).  

I loved Valentine's Day parties at school!     And years later, when my kids did the same I loved it all over again.  You're right, no one was excluded because we/they gave a card to everyone in class.  I think my grandkids still do the same.

(I wasn't the fat kid but I was the one who had to wear glasses from 2nd grade on.   )

I wonder if they still do that in schools in the US now?  I thought it was a sweet tradition & most of the children (back in my day - oh I sound old now!) were pretty good about giving a Valentine to everyone, so no one was excluded - not as I recall anyway (and I'd have known because I was the fat kid!).  

Yes, they do - depends on the school though.  My nephew had his Valentine's Day party today- my sister made him loads of cupcakes - and he had to give all the valentine's day cards to everyone -
I'm actually surprised my sister's son's school allows food though- so many schools don't now because of food allergies/health issues/intolerances/etc!

Of course, when we were younger, we all got our obligatory from everyone in the class V-day cards.  Still that didn't prevent my uncoolness- because I used to get the worst cards in the box!!

So although I wasn't 'excluded' because no one could be- that didn't prevent me from getting the worst cards in the box.  I knew even in second grade, I was not a cool kid!

Then when we got older, the student councils used to sell carnations for $1/flower.  So you realised just how cool/uncool you were, just based upon the number of flowers you'd get and if they were from a member of the opposite sex, you were ace.  
Needless to say, I was of the very uncool persuasion, so I never had many flowers, if any at all.
(Hehehe, last laugh's on me, I am so much cooler than my high school counterparts now!!!!   )

And this is when it really mattered- and I was sooooooooooo excluded!!!

So although I wasn't 'excluded' because no one could be- that didn't prevent me from getting the worst cards in the box.  I knew even in second grade, I was not a cool kid!

And this is when it really mattered- and I was sooooooooooo excluded!!!

Oh I'm sorry it was like that for you!  

TBH, I don't think I'd have known if I was getting the worst cards or not - I was pretty clueless & they all seemed about the same to me, so maybe I was blissfully ignorant!    And maybe the children were just as cruel then as now, but the parents saw that they did the right thing?  No idea!

I did like those Valentine's (and Halloween) parties at school though.  My mom was one of what they called the 'room mothers' - who came to help with the class parties, which I think she was the only one who worked outside the home too - out of those who were room mothers.  Although for Halloween one time, she was the only room mother who came wearing a costume & did a sort of Harpo Marx routine with a bicycle horn & everything - the whole class was roaring with laughter at the act she put on for it & I was so mortified - I just wanted to disappear!  

I did like those Valentine's (and Halloween) parties at school though.  My mom was one of what they called the 'room mothers' - who came to help with the class parties, which I think she was the only one who worked outside the home too - out of those who were room mothers.  Although for Halloween one time, she was the only room mother who came wearing a costume & did a sort of Harpo Marx routine with a bicycle horn & everything - the whole class was roaring with laughter at the act she put on for it & I was so mortified - I just wanted to disappear!  

How wonderful that your Mom went into school!  Mine never did-I don't know if it was due to shyness or laziness as she didn't work, but I'm making up for it with my girls.  The girls enjoy me helping out at school-and I get to know the other children.

 

So although I wasn't 'excluded' because no one could be- that didn't prevent me from getting the worst cards in the box.  I knew even in second grade, I was not a cool kid!

You weren't the only one PB-not very many happy Valentine memories here I'm afraid.  If I had a box now I would make sure that you got the best one!   

How wonderful that your Mom went into school! 

Yes, it was in my earlier childhood days, before my dad died & before she got sick.

I was the one who had to wear glasses from 2nd grade on.   )

I wore glasses from third grade on!  I thought they were kinda cool though--they were "granny" glasses (very trendy in 1973) and octagon-shaped.

Pb, I'd give you the very best card in the box if I had one right now! 

It probably dates me - but I still remember having parties at grade school for Valentine's Day, usually with KoolAid & cupcakes or cookies.  Before the day, we would have each decorated a shoe box to be our individual desk's Valentine 'mailbox', cutting a little slot into the lid, for receiving the miniature Valentine cards that we would exchange with each other (similar to the small Christmas cards that children here exchange at school before Christmas?).  We also made Valentines for giving to our parents as well.

That's how I remember it too (and I'm waaaay older than you!  )
One year I got an anonymous valentine with a little brooch in it. Looked sort of antique, so I often wondered if some mother found it was missing from her jewelry box!