Thursday, February 5, 2009

Valentine's...Gifts?

A couple weeks ago, a girl that works in my office asked me what I was going to get Husband for Valentine’s Day. I hadn’t even thought about Valentine’s Day before she asked. Actually, my first thought was, “Are we even going to get each other Valentine’s gifts?” But instead, I replied with a decisive, “Uhhh…I’m not sure.” And then she asked, “What did you get for each other when you were dating?” My mind went totally blank. (How is it that I can remember what we wore on our first date, but I couldn’t recall a single Valentine’s gift?) I replied something like, “Umm…maybe a book? Or chocolates? Really, I can’t remember.” Then I’m sure she pondered my profound words and made a mental note to herself to never ask me for gift-buying advice again. Husband and I have never had over-the-top Valentine’s Day gifts or celebrations. I started thinking about our past Valentine Days together, and one of the most memorable was when Husband brought over a fresh pizza (at my request) one Valentine’s when we were dating. It wasn’t fancy, but it made for a simple and fun evening. I thought about my co-worker’s questions, and I concluded that maybe she was more interested in Valentine’s gifts because she just started dating her boyfriend. I figured that the married people in our office probably wouldn’t be giving or getting elaborate gifts. But, that theory went out the window at lunch when a few of the married ladies started listing their past Valentine’s gifts. One lady talked about the diamond earrings that she got one year. Another said that last year she got two dozen roses and an order of chocolate-covered strawberries. Even still, I’m content with our card-and-a-dinner Valentine’s celebrations, which we plan do again this year. But now I’m curious. What are your Valentine’s celebrations like? Do they involve fine jewelry or, say, a fine cheese pizza?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're not "gift" people either. We usually just go to Annapolis for a nice lunch, and walk around. I've never needed roses or diamonds to know I'm loved... you know?

GypsiAdventure said...

um yeah...v-day, can't really remember anything big. I mean we usually do dinner and a card...maybe a little something inexpensive that the other one wants but nothing major. Birthdays on the other hand...those go over the top!
~K

Joanne said...

More like a fine, preferably large, box of chocolates here!

Anonymous said...

Ha! More like a case of beer and a day at the river! =)

Allison said...

Despite the fact that my husband and I have been together for 10 years we usually have an anti-valentines day party with a white elephant gift exchange.

We're in a new town this year so I think we're going to order pizza and he's getting me Dove Truffles. I wrote it down for him, so hopefully he remembers. We're not big gift givers. I told him this year for the winter holidays he had to get me something other than a $25 gift card, but that is usually what I get for every holiday.

By the way, we're having a boy. :)

Mike Fox said...

I started a tradition a few years ago where I send my wife a small box of Godiva truffles. They're not extravagant, but they are very yummy!

Lindsey said...

I'm with you! We just make a point to spend time together on VDay and go on a date - even if it's sushi takeout by candle light!

Anonymous said...

Normally we aren't gift people for Valentine's day. Last year I went totally old school and made him a mixed tape. Well, CD, but to say mixed CD technically wouldn't have been old school. Anyway, Olivia (who was 3 at the time) and I were talking about songs that tell people we love them. Of course, her music collection only included Barney, a few Chinese Lullabies and some catchy toddler tunes. So, she piped up with "Bah-neee" Good enough for me. So, I went through my iTunes and compiled a suh-weet collection of tunes. Every 3rd song was "I Love You" by Barney ad the grand finale was "A Bushel and A Peck" from waaaaay back when. We made him cards from construction paper and lots of glitter.

What did he get me? Nothing.

Britni said...

I've kind of gone away from doing special things like this because my husband doesn't make as much of it as I do. Maybe I'll try it again this year.

Darci White said...

hey there-

i have anderson bean boots & love them! i'll have to post a picture for you!

and about our v-day traditions.........you would THINK that we do elaborate gift giving considering the post i did a few days ago. it's odd - i love to give valentine's gifts to by best friends, mother in law and my mom, but the hubby and i don't do a lot. in fact, last year, we ate at subway for dinner! we were both worn out from a long day at work and just couldn't stand the thought of getting all dressed up for a nice dinner.

this year - i'm making him breakfast and i have no idea what he's doing for me?

Kristen M. said...

My valentines gift is usually a big fat nothing. But that's okay. I guess you could say my husband and I are cheese pizza types.

jlc said...

For the hubbs?? Weird.

I always receive gifts but never got any for him. Unless you count MY lingerie for a gift for him... which yeah, I do sometimes. ;)

Anonymous said...

It's not a big day in my mind. Weather warm enough, I may have him grill out. ; )

Ann M. said...

I'm with you--kind of oblivious about gifts for V-day. We have done the make things for each other thing and the little gift thing but that's about it. Our anniversary is a month and a half later, so we do a lot of combo gifts somewhere in the middle.

This year, I got something for him from the Captain, but other than that, I don't think we're going to do anything aside from exchange cards.

Although a cheese pizza would be nice :)