Valentine's Day!

Yeah yeah yeah - it's a silly Hallmark overcommercialised holiday, it's not inclusive, it depresses more people than it thrills, blah blah blah.  I'll grant you all that. 

Are you celebrating this year?  What are you doing? 

I am hoping that my hubby gets me a CD that I want.  I will get him a card (he's not much bothered).  I call it our 'half-anniversary' (more reason to celebrate!) because it's exactly 6 months in between when our anniversary falls (14 August).

We *never* go out to eat on Valentine's Day - not interested in fighting the crowds & paying inflated money for average food.

He usually cooks us a special meal, also involving champagne & a chocolate dessert.  We'll probably do that on Sunday though.

 

We don't usually do anything special for valentines since our anniversary is the day before  . But I think this year will consist of clearing out some of the junk in our flat to decide what to ship & what to bin. How romantic I know 

We don't usually do anything special for valentines since our anniversary is the day before  . But I think this year will consist of clearing out some of the junk in our flat to decide what to ship & what to bin. How romantic I know 

Sounds like we are celebrating your anniversary then, Weby!  Lol!

At least you're getting ready for where you want to be. 

I'm spending the day with my boyfriend's mother. She's coming to visit for the weekend and he didn't want to take off Monday to spend with her, so I am. He's so weird sometimes... and a bit rude!

Needless to say, not exactly doing anything romantic while his mum is with us, lol.

I usually cook something special, but this year we're going to a French restaurant for dinner! I've never been, so I'm looking forward to it! Oo la la! 

What's Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is Monday, our anniversary is the following Sunday, DH's embassy interview is the Wednesday in between.  We'll exchange sweet Valentine cards, a kiss & a hug, and be glad for that much.   

Question...  When my first Valentine's Day in the UK was approaching, DH and I were shopping and I stopped in a card shop to buy some for my mom, kids & grandkids.  Poor DH was confused that I wasn't buying just one for him.  Am I odd?  My parents always sent valentines to their kids & grandkids.  I used to send them to everyone, friends & family.  But DH found this custom very strange, thinks valentines are for sweethearts only. 

When my first Valentine's Day in the UK was approaching, DH and I were shopping and I stopped in a card shop to buy some for my mom, kids & grandkids.  Poor DH was confused that I wasn't buying just one for him.  Am I odd?  My parents always sent valentines to their kids & grandkids.  I used to send them to everyone, friends & family.  But DH found this custom very strange, thinks valentines are for sweethearts only. 

I think we do that more in the US - sending valentines (if you do it) to anyone/everyone.  The UK (if someone is 'observing' the day at all) doesn't seem to do it that way - so it's only odd over here in weirdy-land. 

June, your are not weird!  I'm sure I got Valentine's cards from my grandparents when I was a kid, plus my Mom and she still sends me (well hubby and me) one.  

On our first married Valentine's Day my mom sent hubby and I a card with a separate little note (not sure why it was separate, but thank goodness it was!) that said, Dear Andee and *Andee's ex-husband's name*....blah blah blah....  Thank goodness I opened the card and got rid of the separate note before hubby saw it!!  

This year we are both working on the day.  Hubby usually cooks something nice, but on nights we both work there really isn't time to do something nice, so we'll see....

I've put together a gift bag full of red treats like fancy hot sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.,  plus interesting healthy snacks (he's not a sweets person) he can take to work plus cool local beers, and a bit of nice dark chocolate.  Plus a lovely card that isn't specifically Valentine's Day (I *hate* those insipid Hallmark bears!)--it's just two beautiful birds.

Question...  When my first Valentine's Day in the UK was approaching, DH and I were shopping and I stopped in a card shop to buy some for my mom, kids & grandkids.  Poor DH was confused that I wasn't buying just one for him.  Am I odd?  My parents always sent valentines to their kids & grandkids.  I used to send them to everyone, friends & family.  But DH found this custom very strange, thinks valentines are for sweethearts only.  

I got a personalized (Moon Pig  ) card for DD and got a small gift for DD and DS (no card for him as he's only 6-months).  My parents always got us small gifts for Valentines Day and I always thought it was really nice.  DD's card says something along the lines of making a special effort to show everyone how much you care about them...something we should do every day but don't necessarily do.  We sort of celebrate it as a day of love for everyone and not just your SO.  I remember when we were in school we used to give Valentine's cards (and candy sometimes) to everyone in our class.

I've got DH a personalized card and a football tracksuit top.  He said he's got me really goofy and cheesy gifts that are teenage-ish...for a fun laugh.  We won't be doing anything special as I'm out of town with the kids this weekend and he'll be at work on V Day night.

I usually cook something special, but this year we're going to a French restaurant for dinner! I've never been, so I'm looking forward to it! Oo la la! 

Have you scoped out the menu?  Do you know what you are going to have?  (I always do that, if I can...)

Plus a lovely card that isn't specifically Valentine's Day (I *hate* those insipid Hallmark bears!)--it's just two beautiful birds.

I got DH a blank card (inside) that's just a photo on the front of two identical looking tabby cats with one licking the other's face.  (Oh!  Or I think I still have a card set back somewhere with the drawing of the Owl and the Pussycat on it.  Will have to decide between the two.)

He might make me a card with something silly on it, using photoshop (usually a picture of me) - one year it had diminishing size heart shaped pizzas (he made me a heart shaped pizza one year) & said 'I love you as much as you love pizza.' 

If he doesn't make me a card, it's okay - since he'll be cooking & there might be a little gift or something.  We don't go all out - just something small & sweet as a gesture really.

I'll probably get flowers, which are always welcome. Except that they're generally carnations from the supermarket, which are never welcome. Every year I drop hints about locally grown in-season flowers ... so once again, we shall see!

I'm making him something kind of funny. I'll share when it's finished.

No way in hell would I want to go out for a meal on Valentine's Day! Yeeeep! As Betty Herbert, my fave new blogger, says, "There is nothing more dispiriting then sharing a room with a handful of love-lorn waiters and a group of couples who have not ventured out in each other’s company for at least the last twelve months. Stay home."

DH is working and won't be home till Feb 21st so I will have a cheat night and make pizza and watch some crap chick flick ;-) Maybe I will have the kids hmmmm

I did sneak a card and ginger snaps from Starbucks in his bag as he loves those.
I am betting I get some beautiful flowers form the florist a few doors down - A O K with me!

My MIL's birthday is the 14th, so we are going to her house on Saturday.  Either Sunday or Monday DH and I will probably do M&S's Valentine Dine In For Two (so I don't have to cook) and some champagne and chocolates.  Last year, DH gave me a card and a gift and I didn't get him anything, so this year I kinda owe him.  I'll have to try to find some nice little thing. 

Have you scoped out the menu?  Do you know what you are going to have?  (I always do that, if I can...)

Of course!  They just have a sample menu posted on their website. There's a lot on there that looks tasty, so I haven't decided just yet. If I get a starter I'll definitely get onion soup. There are too many mains to choose from just yet! And I'll probably get chocolate gateau for dessert!

I'll also get DH a card and maybe a small little gift.