Celebrating Valentine's Day

[Jessica at Parenting.com]

Personally I try to avoid the insane aspects of all holidays -- the out-of-control card buying, the over-the-top presents, the overeating.

But that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the holidays! I just try to keep them in perspective.

Valentine's Day is a perfect example. We don't do flowers and jewelry, and we may or may not even do chocolate. But we do have a nicer-than-usual home-cooked meal with the TV off. No stress!

What about you? What do you usually do for Valentine's Day? Any special plans this year?

[allywithlove]

My husband and I have been through some really tough financial times - like any other couple just starting out. Typically, I get a hand written card with a coupon for a long bubble bath and a back rub afterwards. Last year (I think because I was pregnant and hormonal) he did manage to rummage together enough change to go to our local grocery store and buy me a single carnation. That's ok though. We love eachother and we don't need a special day to celebrate that. This year, however, we have made plans to go out to dinner with 2 other couples.

[craftyashley]

My mother actually volunteered to watch the girls while the husband and I go out to dinner and a movie! This would be the 3rd time we've gone out on a date with each other in the 2 years since the twins were born. Depressing. But exciting!

[Amboq07]

Usually my husband and I will go out to dinner and it’s usually PACKED everywhere. This year my sister asked if we would watch her daughter the night before so they could go out and they would watch my son for v-day so we can. This year I would rather do something more special than just going out to eat because we always do that. I’m thinking a special dinner at home (with no TV), a long romantic candle-lit bath and of course bedroom romance!

[Disco Lemonade]

well we usually do get each other gifts. We get each other one gift. Then we leave Abby with my mom and have a nice dinner, just the two of us! Ahhhhh....its very relaxing

[bvas81]

We don't get eachother "gifts" persay. lol. I'm not big on fancy jewelry or anything like that. Today is actually going to be our "valentines day" date night. We don't get to go out alone much and since he works the weekends, it's hard to find a babysitter. I'd rather just spend a day relaxing with him. He's a truckdriver so....any time is a good time as long as I'm with him!
Bad news though.... my mom was going to watch my twins tonight but today she found out the house she is renting is being put up for sale and she's really torn about it and I'd feel too guilty if she were to babysit. So, I'm looking for a sitter now. Any takers???????? Don't be shy! My kids won't bite.... well, i hope not! Just kidding! Just kidding!!!

[djasinski]

This year my husband and I have decided to spend Valentine's taking our 2 yr old and 9 week old to the aqaurium. I know it's not romantic but it is our idea of a perfect day. Plus the girls will go to bed at sometime, right? LOL

[lizniles24]

my husband and I don't really do vday. we both dislike the 'forced-ness' of the whole holiday. so we do random sweet things for each other instead. which i cherish so much more than some stupid holiday where he feels like he HAS to buy me something.
when we met, we both worked in restuarants so it was way too hard to actually celebrate the day. so we just started planning other romantic days instead. it's so much better this way, because it's always a suprise!

[jilly3]

Two years ago I sat my husband and three boys down and informed them that never, ever again will I endure the deep disappointment of each uneventful special occasion. And furthermore, I added, just because my birthday falls on May 9th does not allow you to, "cleverly", lump my birthday and Mother's Day into one whole.

As I paced up and down amongst my handsome brood I told them what a woman/mom expects from a man/son and how there was no time like the present to start practicing on me. They looked at me with wide eyed expressions trying to understand what I was talking about. What was this romance babble?

I decided that in order to get the attention I deserved I had to train them better. Now a few days prior to each occasion, I give them the warning and a list of things that I would like to have happen.

I have since discovered that the boys respond well to inspiration. Yesterday, we bought art supplies together, looked up Jim Dine's hearts and they burst into action to create Valentine's Day cards. Their creations were incredible. My nine year old wrote a letter to his grandparents that made me cry, I never cry!

Who knows what my husband will do for me this Valentines Day. He has been made quite aware that he must not bring me flowers on the day that I would most expect it, if he gives me chocolates he will get reprimanded for trying to fatten me up and that a single card will bring on silence.

Hopefully, my sons will convince him to surprise me with a night stay in a luxurious hotel, rose petals in the bed and a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket. Most likely I will get a wet kiss, a card and a lecture that he shows his love to me in other ways. I know this is true but most definitely unacceptable!

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[LaurenEileen]

Call me girlie, but I really love Valentines Day - the cards, the flowers, dinner out - all of it! We usually go to dinner with our close friends, but they can't make it this year, so we're going out, just the 2 of us, for a nice dinner. My Mom's coming to babysit our toddler, and I'm so excited! Yey for love day!