Weekend Assignment #151-Valentine's Day; Genuine or Commerical Money Pit?

Weekend Assignment #151: Is Valentine's Day a genuinely romantic day? Or just a big commercial money pit into which romantic people fall? Go on, share how you really feel about the day -- whether you enjoy it, or feel like it's forced on you by greeting card companies, or fall somewhere in between those two poles.

Extra credit: Suggest a nice romantic movie

From John Scalzi's Journal

Hmm..  In school I remember Valentines Day fondly.  I loved making valentines, and I loved getting them at school.  I remember our teachers having us make our own "Valentine Drop Off" with pink and red construction paper.  On the big day, we would take our bag of valentines, and drop them in each other's Valentine drop off...  It was fun to get them from the classmates--especially when candy was taped on to them...  I don't know why, all Valentine candy have a certain "smell" that I love..  Hell, all candy smells good!

In Jr. High, Valentines was more serious business.  Instead of dropping off valentines, you could purchase red, pink and white carnations, and send them to your friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend.  I didn't have a boyfriend in Jr. High, so, sadly, I hardly got any.  It was kind of a let down to tell you the truth.  The "popular pretty girls" always ended up with at least a half a dozen of them, and you'd see them parading down the hall exclaiming:  "Oh, all these carnations are so hard to carry...  Where am I going to put them all?"  Poor things.  I had little sympathy for them. 

In high school, Valentines were nonexistent. It was totally uncool to get any.  Some people got flowers, and balloons, but they were more than a nuisance to carry around class.  People went on dates on that day, and we would hear stories about their dates afterwards---usually the stories were pretty embellished.  Some girls got jewelry.  I didn't--but of course, I didn't have a REAL boyfriend in high school either. 

I got married once on Valentines Day.  My ex-husband got me a flowered plant.  I can still see him running from the grocery store, holding the plant so proudly.  You'd think he just got me 24 long stem roses.  In the spirit of the Valentine season, I'm going to refrain from re-telling that story.

I love the Valentines gifts I have been given from my children--handmade cards--very sweet.  I never really got flowers or candy or roses until I met my second husband.  He spoils me and sends me roses and candy to work every year, which really irritates some of the women here--I can tell.  They don't say anything, but I know it kind of agitates them--especially the single women at the office--there are quite a few.  But, that is okay..  I sometimes feel embarrassed by it all, because let's just say through my years of being married the first time, I hardly got any flowers, and I know what a let down it is to not get any, so I guess my husband is just spoiling me now to make up for lost time.  I love the attention; don't get me wrong. 

I do think florists do make a killing this time of year, as well as jewelry stores.  We all see the commercials..  "Show someone you love them by buying this...etc..etc.."  Personally, if these commercials pressure you to buy something expensive for your loved one, I think what you REALLY need to do, is step back, and start appreciating your significant other more!  Tell them you love them a little more-not just on Valentines, but every day..  You don't have to spend a lot of money on someone.  A hug, or an I love you once in awhile is worth more than a piece of jewelry.  At least, that is my opinion. 

Extra Credit:  My romantic movie suggestion is "Love Actually"