[serenity1986]

The board is quiet this week, so wanted to grab your attention! 

My SO feels that most holidays are simply a marketing gimick to get us, the consumers, to spend money.  He is not big on gift giving because the calendar says we are supposed to.  He prefers to give of his time, versus a wraped gift, and wants it to be simply because he wants to.  For example, he would much rather spend his money and take me to a concert for my birthday than buy me a gift to open. 

Me and SO have never officially celebrated Valentines day.  We acknowledge it, but that is about it. 

Curious what your experience is, especially in a second or third marriage.  I know some have high expectations from their first DH, some would rather just pass over the day entirely, and some feel they have to compete with what the xW used to do.

So, let the stories fly...

I learned early on in R with SO all of the above, so I learned not to expect anything.  Then if he does suprise me, I am pleansantly suprised.  I usually get him a card and maybe a token gift.  I think last year he got me and my DD12 chocolates. 

[serenity1986]

The board is quiet this week, so wanted to grab your attention! 

My SO feels that most holidays are simply a marketing gimick to get us, the consumers, to spend money.  He is not big on gift giving because the calendar says we are supposed to.  He prefers to give of his time, versus a wraped gift, and wants it to be simply because he wants to.  For example, he would much rather spend his money and take me to a concert for my birthday than buy me a gift to open. 

Me and SO have never officially celebrated Valentines day.  We acknowledge it, but that is about it. 

Curious what your experience is, especially in a second or third marriage.  I know some have high expectations from their first DH, some would rather just pass over the day entirely, and some feel they have to compete with what the xW used to do.

So, let the stories fly...

I learned early on in R with SO all of the above, so I learned not to expect anything.  Then if he does suprise me, I am pleansantly suprised.  I usually get him a card and maybe a token gift.  I think last year he got me and my DD12 chocolates. 

[true.blue.strine]

I agree that Valentines is a marketing ploy - hubby and I don't even acknowledge it these days.   (then again, I forget our anniversary half the time) .   I'd rather keep gifts for birthday, Xmas and 'just because'

I would much rather appreciate what hubby does for me on an ongoing basis than on a special calendar day.

[startingover2010]

Definitely a marketing ploy, but I do like cards, so have already bought one for dh AND for my daughters.  It IS a day to remind the ones you love how much you love them and think about them.  I know you can send a card any day, but, how often do we really stop and think about how much we love our SO's, children, etc...Valentine's Day reminds us of it, I think.

[musiclover12]

I never thought Valentines Day was really a big deal.  It's nice to get a card and a box of candy but I wouldn't expect anything big.  I do hate how they raise the price of flowers, esp. roses, for that day.  And for a woman I think it's hard to find something for a man since most of the things like lingerie, jewelry & flowers are marketed toward women.

Serenity, I do like your SO's plan of doing something special for your BD instead of buying you something.  I always felt when I was married and we had joint bank accts like if I wanted something I could just buy it myself, unless my DH came up w/ some great idea on his own, but most of the time I'd have to give suggestions--so I'd rather go out to a nice dinner, a play or something like that.

[bellab2008]

Agreed marketing ploy...add to that I've worked in restaurant industry in past and that is most ridiculous...jacking up prices, limited menus, and bad service b/c most would rather be somewhere else...we are getting new furniture and decided since we have so many expenses related to that...not to get gifts...cards yes...probably will bring something in that night and have a nice quiet dinner at home...