Valentine's Day ALREADY??

[guestmama9910]

I'm dying of a cold, which is pretty much the only reason I'd step into a mainstream pharmacy or grocery store, but I still had the wherewithal to be floored by the Valentine's Day merchandise on display! Santa is not yet cool in his, er, North Pole yet, and they're marketing chocolate boxes, doilies, flimsy cards, and window clings. Honestly, who really believes that a box of chocolates bought now will make it to Valentine's Day?

Well, since mass marketers have reminded me of the holiday, I've already worked out what I'm going to do to celebrate it, which is pretty much what I do for every holiday: buy a box of discount marzipan at TJMaxx, tie a ribbon around it, crack open a bottle of red at dinner, and hope the baby falls asleep early. Seeing how Valentine's Day is low on the holiday totem pole, is anyone doing anything especially different this year? Are you foregoing treats and cards for the kids' classrooms or anything like that?
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AnnaArcturus

[Ruthiegirl]

I was picking up a couple of last minute groceries on Christmas Eve and the store was crammed with Valentine's stuff. It all looked verrrry out of place with the Christmas decor.

Retailers are hurting and trying to get a jump on any season.

[sunnysandiegan]

We do something slightly off-kilter for school Valentines each year. None of the traditional candy stuff, but we do make a little something for each classmate. In K, DD made bookmarks and I laminated each one. In 1st, DD made heart-shaped Valentines and we taped an individual-size bag of Healthy Hands (I think that is the brand?) cookies or crackers. This year (2nd), I already have little heart-shaped boxes for each classmate, so we just have to decide what DD will make to go inside. So far, all the kids have loved the "treats" and DD loves giving them.

In our family, we like to celebrate Valentine's Day. Not because it is a "Hallmark Holiday" (which it TOTALLY is, in our opinions), but because it is a reminder to show our love and appreciation for each other and our friends. We basically keep Christmas really about the children in our family with a minor bit of gifts going to very special family members and a heavy focus on family traditions. For Valentine's Day, we celebrate with many and have some special traditions (all low cost).

Our playgroup has a "Red, Pink, and White" Valentine's Day party every year. It is so fun! We dress in the above colors and we eat foods in those colors and drink fluids in those colors and incorporate as many hearts and "love" items as possible. We get a group photo of the kids each year and do crafts with them and play. We avoid candy and artificial dyes, so some of our food items are a bit wacky and wild but mostly just a bit creative. A favorite is tomato and cheese skewers...grape tomatoes and little chunks of mozzarella (patterns are interesting to discuss).

As a take-off from the party, we make it a game to eat our meals in those colors and heart shapes on February 14th at home/school. I break out the heart-shaped cookie cutters. They may not be the most balanced meals, but it is just for a day and it is worth the giggles and smiles and creative ideas. Pasta in red sauce always shows up...whole wheat pasta and homemade red sauce...we are not real strict on the "white"! LOL

Putting love notes around the house is another favorite pasttime.

We exchange cards, too...the mushier, the better!

I do not recall if I did this last year or if I thought of it after Valentine's Day, but I want to start a new tradition of looking up how to say "I love you" in many different languages. Making something crafty would be a clever, visually-appealing, and reusable way to do this, maybe keep adding to it each year as DD gets older...challenging her to find a new language and learn the pronunciation each year? Hmmm... I'll have to think on this a bit.

[LilMama23]

We exchange cards and that's it for Valentine's Day. Usually we cook a nice dinner together, but this year DH will be traveling for work.

[texaspeach]

our anniversary is Jan 31, so we usually don't celebrate V-day. This year though, I'm thinking of announcing this pregnancy because I'll be 12 weeks

I use valentines day as an excuse to make truffles and other sweets. Any excuse to bake some cookies

[CarrieMF]

Valentine's Day is nothing, I expect it given that there are only 6 weeks till that day.

The Easter candy I saw out today was a little much.

[NewDirections]

Originally Posted by texaspeach

our anniversary is Jan 31, so we usually don't celebrate V-day. This year though, I'm thinking of announcing this pregnancy because I'll be 12 weeks

That is so sweet :

My DH is a chef, so he'll be working on Valentine's day. That's ok with me because usually it's a nightmare to go out to dinner on V-day itself. We'll celebrate it by going out to dinner either a few days before or after. On V-day itself, flowers and candy are good for me. Something small and lacy would be great too

It seems crazy to me that V-day stuff is in the stores already. Am I the only one who thinks that retailers are putting holiday stuff in the store earlier and earlier?

[NewDirections]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

Valentine's Day is nothing, I expect it given that there are only 6 weeks till that day.

The Easter candy I saw out today was a little much.

Easter candy out now?

Wow, that's really yucky. The candy is at least 4 months old when it's eaten, yuck.