Valentine's Day and Love

I have an inner conflict. I do not love Valentine's Day. I don't. I love the fun times the kids have... I do. I love the decorating cookies and spending time together. I love the chocolate associated with this great holiday. Yep. Not a problem to love.

But the gift giving makes me crazy. (Here I go again... I know) I am not sure why I struggle with it so much! I think maybe because it feels required by a calendar date? I don't jive on required gift giving... it just doesn't feel like a real gift to me.

Gifts should come from the heart. Not from a quick stop at a grocery store, fighting off the other men who forgot as well and are stopping on their way home too. *blech* That is just NOT a real gift. That is a requirement. Not so heartwarming in my opinion. Gifts are meant to *SHOW* you think of the person... and what he/she would want/need/love. Gifts are expressions of how you really feel about someone... and I guess last minute cheesy crap just doesn't do it for me. LOL

For example: (Sorry... Ma... you get to be the example *grin*) I was at the Dollar Store and found these little note books that had the "Love is..." cartoons on them. Many may not remember those cartoons, but my parents collected them. They loved them. They lived by them when I was growing up. I grabbed one of each for them - and gave them to my parents on monday when they stopped by for Valentine's Day. It was FUN gift to give! It had meaning! And they love it!

On the flip side... Ma found this little night light with Valentine hearts on it... I love nightlights! It was a perfect gift! :) And I love it.

I guess I'm just not a "stuff" kind of a person. I would rather have sentimental value... or a gift of time and service. I know Jestin loves me. I know my family loves me. And if they found something they *know I would just love* and gave it to me on Wednesday August 7th or Friday June 11th etc THAT is a gift from the heart!! Not just because it is a frilly commercialized holiday.

Gifts are meant to be given on Christmas and on people's birthdays. Not for every holiday in between. These other holidays are times to honor the people for whom the holiday honors... and (at least in my mind) there are better ways to honor and celebrate these people in our lives aside from a quick stop at the store for anything we can find and spend money on! :P That is my 2 cents worth. LOL Commercialism has ruined the delicate affection of this holiday.

The "perfect" Valentine's Day gifts (or Mother's Day gifts etc) in my humble opinion are as follows:

• Date night I didn't have to plan or find a sitter for myself.
• Dinner made for me that I enjoy.
• A honey-do project completed with a smile.
• A love letter... a REAL love letter... not just a card you sign your name to all the time.
• Some time to be JUST ME. Alone time is a coveted commodity.
• Surprise lunch get together.
• A chore I dread doing done for me with a little note saying "Happy V-day/M-day" etc
• A good session of "laudry doing" *grin*
• Game night with friends we love.
• Watching a movie *I* would love together without being teased it's a chick flick - and something chocolate to share.
• Flowers unexpected! (not on the holiday they are required and cost 10x more!)
• My car cleaned.
• My hair colored and cut - it's so hard to make that call for myself and do it! Make me go!
• A massage to sleep

Time. Service. Expression. Togetherness. THAT is what Valentine's Day is all about.

Honoring and loving your sweetheart.

Phooey on all this stuffed animal, cheap chocolates, hugely overpriced once a year floral arragements! OOO! I am a Valentine's Day grinch! Bwahahaha!