Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Romance will be in the
air. Flowers and chocolate will dominate television commercials. How about jewelry?
Most women find anything with bling is welcome. On top of the pressure to come
up with something special for our certain someone, we’re bombarded by ads
helping us come up with the perfect gift. Is there such a thing?
My husband and I fell victim to some bad Valentine gifting
early in our marriage. We laugh about it now, but back then, those gift mistakes
were serious. It set a precedent that either made Valentine’s Day fun or
miserable. Thankfully, we have a great relationship, and figured out early on what
worked for us. No presents! LOL. It’s
kind of a private thing between us, knowing we won’t fail under the pressure of Valentine perfection because we aren’t shopping. Our special gift
to each other.
When my children were young, I always got them a little
something. A card slipped into their lunch, crazy socks covered with heart motifs
or lip gloss. While they appreciated the gesture, they were looking forward to
the Valentine exchange in class, which usually included candy.
Last year, my daughter came up with a lovely gift for
Mother’s Day, but it would make an awesome Valentine’s present. She’s a cash
strapped student who doesn’t usually get me anything, but she made a lovely
gift I keep near my writing area year round. If you’re crafty, any size mounted
canvas and a few different colors of paint will do the trick. You can leave a
message in the center heart, or maybe mount a collage of pictures. The nice
thing about this gift is that it’s great for grandparents, or even hubby/dad to
mount on the wall at his office.
Gifts or not, the important thing is to tell the people in
your life how much you love them. That is the real heart of Valentine’s Day.
Tara, it's so true that Valentine's Day can easily lose it's charm under the pressure of giving the right gift. Talk about stress! The most precious gifts are those handmade sentiments like the one your daughter made :). Now for those guys who really want to buy something...I'd love to see bookstore romance aisles--rather than candy and flower shops--swarming with male shoppers ;).
ReplyDeleteTara, you're right. Gifts handmade by children are the best. Me, I'm getting grumpy. For the last year or two, for holidays, I've said things like, "I want a new door." Or "I want a new kitchen table." Then, I've allowed that I don't care when, but I'd rather he put aside whatever money he might spend so that eventually I get what I want (only child, me)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tara! My husband and I got married on Valentine's Day last year-so now, it's our anniversary as well lol:) We 'eloped' last year, meaning we told no one and we just went out on a 'date', and got married on the same spot where we met-just us and the wedding photographer as the witness:) Each year, we are just going to go to that spot again, and share a kiss. Only two weeks away!!!
ReplyDeleteNow that is romantic!
DeleteMy husband always gave me pink roses, because he knew I loved them. Some years when money was tight I'd get one or two in a bud vase. I liked those as much as getting 6 or 12. Even his last year when he was most ill he had his brother-in-law go buy a half dozen roses. It still makes me teary-eyed. What I did for him was always to fix his favorite meal. For my kids and now my grands I tuck money in a card. Nice reminder to go buy cards, Tara.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memento and an excellent idea I can share with my granddaughters. They love to make pictures for me and my refrigerator is covered with them.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE getting presents, and I don't care what they are. I figure whatever Ron, family, friends want to give me is what I want to get. Ron knows I love those heart shaped boxes of candy with a gaudy bow or flower, so I usually get one. Sometimes it's the tiny one that only hold four candies, but I love it anyway. Thanks for the reminder that Valentine's Day is coming up.
ReplyDeleteAnd you certainly raised a sweet and thoughtful daughter, Tara! Good for you. My treasured wall decoration is my very first Mother's Day card from the year the kids moved in - 1973. Decoupage was big then and I cut it out and put it on a board with all their signatures. Love from your children sort of cushions your life.
I think gifts from the children are the best! Although, pink roses every year is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI save all the pictures and such my kids make me. There's nothing sweeter than them professing their love for me, the best mother ever (especially after being told countless times I'm the meanest mom in the world or SO embarrassing). My daughter has begun buying little gifts with her allowance money and I will admit, I certainly don't mind a little yummy chocolate surprise on holidays and birthdays! She knows me so well ;)
ReplyDelete