Opinions on Valentine’s Day

I don’t find it strange, pervy, or odd, it’s just not something that I do and it wasn’t the way I was raised to see Valentine’s Day. To me it’s always been a couples thing, and buying for kids too is just another win for consumerism.

@Lisa that’s fair enough! It shouldn’t be a day to make people feel like they should do anything really as love is suppose to be celebrated everyday not just one day cause someone says so🤣. I understand not everyone will do the same as others ofc. But instead of leaving at that the pervy word is now getting thrown around by people🙄.

I don’t find it pervy or anything but it just seems another unnecessary consumer event. It was never a thing like 10/20 years ago for parents to buy their kids valentines things. Just like Easter baskets, Halloween baskets and Christmas Eve boxes. It’s all too much and too much pressure on parents to do it all otherwise they feel their child is missing out!

@Scarlett I work in a shop and this is exactly what I said yesterday! Where we do draw the line with these things.

Gosh that’s a bit extreme! I just see it at as a day of love, not just romantic love - love. I won’t go mad but will probably get my daughter some little chocolate hearts or a lolly. My granny used to get us chocolates when we were kids. You can’t have too much love in the world! I think it’s sweet.

@Scarlett I feel this! Not so much valentines as that’s my own choice. but I deffo think the whole Xmas eve boxes etc is now a huge thing. My MIL does it for my partners brothers which then makes me feel like I have to then do it for my son, even more expense 🙄. As you feel bad for them missing out.

@Scarlett I’m in my 30s and it was a thing 20 yrs ago! (Before instagram or social media so no one else knew about it). Some people do go overboard and I can understand people feeling under pressure. I don’t do Xmas eve boxes, Halloween, burr boxes etc. Every family has their own traditions so I think parents just have to choose what works for them, though I appreciate no one wants their kid feeling left out.

As a mum w kids quality time w my partner (and date nights) are few and far between- so many couples argue or distance away or fight or tension PP and we talked about how monthly date nights we will prioritise PP, so Vday is just our “February date night” just a lil bit more special than than say, January or March date night, it’s a day for me and him to reconnect. I have no issues w anyone else getting gifts for their kids its not my kids, but I see it as a romantic day between couples. Now if she’s a single mum then the kids is all she’s got so in that case she can prioritise her kids. I don’t see it as pervy or odd though, just unnecessary for the kids, that’s all. Because they’re going to expect it every single year until they’re what, 14? 16? My kids just had Xmas and Chinese new year to celebrate

My dad is from Finland and over there Valentine’s Day is more like love and friendship day. So as a child it was very normal for me to get little presents from adult family friends and my Finnish aupairs. The gifts weren’t super expensive though. I remember one year a family friend sewed two new outfits for my Barbie doll 🥰 I’ll probably continue the tradition when my babies are older.

@Astrid aww this is soo lovely 🥰!

I don't find it pervy but it's just something I or my husband would do.

My 8 year old seems very excited by it. We never have done presents although this year I am getting her a stitch and card and her teen brother chocolate (he’s not bothered). However me and my oh just do cards.

I don't celebrate valentines day full stop, I'm not getting anyone a present😅 nothing strange about people wanting to show love to their babies though!

As a kid i remember my dad coming home with a big bouquet and gift for my mom and he’d always bring me and my sister a single rose so we werent left out. It was always a different color (white, yellow, pink, multicolor). My mom would do something cheesy like make us a special breakfast with colored pancakes or hearts on them when we were small. As we got older she’d grab us candy as a gift. In elementary school all kids created a valentines for all the other kids in class. It was about love and friendship. I can’t imagine it being pervy unless its a pervy person. My MIL always sends every granchild a card for V-day to say she loves them. I think things like this are beautiful

I only find it strange because it isn't something I would do, and not something I'm used to from my parents. But if other people choose that's fine, for me it's about me and my husband

@Lisa I know what you mean. I never had this as a child either at all. I had a crappy childhood which is why I think I’m one that does do these little things for my child as I want him to be full of love 🥰 (not that anyone who doesn’t do it doesn’t make their child feel loved ofc) everyone is different and I respect that x

I love Valentine’s Day and I have always gotten my kids a few things for the day. But I’ve also heard the argument that you heard and I think those people are weirdos. My grandma always got my sister and I something for every holiday, even the little ones. It wouldn’t ever be anything huge, sometimes it was a pair of themed socks and some candy, but it was something. That’s how I am now. This year I got each kid a box of candy, a small plushie and my oldest a small cologne he’s wanted, my middle a body spray and my youngest a poster for his room. Nothing too crazy but it’s something.

I don’t think it’s weird or pervy it’s just not something I did as a kid and won’t for my boy either. But tbf I am not the biggest fan of valentines anyway- monkey making commercialism haha. That said I do remember making my mum a card once when I was little! My partner and I only do cards and something small so I think it really is about your preference and don’t worry what anyone thinks. Love is love and if you want to get your baby something go for it!

I have nothing against families doing that. My husband and I do an antipasto plate kind of thing. We don’t make it a huge thing.

I get my son little gift baskets for V day including chocolate , gummies , coloring book, chapstick . I don’t find it odd to get him little gifts to show I love him. I don’t buy for my husband tho I’d rather bake a dessert for that holiday for us bc our anniversary is a few days after V day

@Scarlett I always used to get something as a child, so like 10-20 years ago. Not much, just a flower or chocolate bar or occasionally a small teddy. I loved it and have fond memories of it.

When I was little my Dad used to buy my Mum a huuuuge bouquet of flowers, then he’d pick one flower out of the bunch and give it to me. I never got a card or anything (not saying anything wrong with that!) I think in todays world just let people enjoy what they enjoy ☺️ it is a lovely memory for me of my Dad and I remember being so excited with this one flower 😂

My dad gets my sisters and I something small even now and we’re in our thirties! 😂 This year it was a tub of rocky roads 🥹😂 I have no clue where anyone reached weird or pervy from this but think that’s a shame, it’s just a nice token, it was especially nice when I was a heartbroken teen and my dad would bring me some biscuits or whatever it was 😂

Never heard of people thinking it’s creepy in anyway, My mom used to just really put up decorations or balloons for every holiday that rolled by, and on Valentine’s Day we’d get a card, cause we got her a card. I plan to hang up some decorations after my son goes to sleep the night before & I got some chocolate for him (:

Its just for fun. Kids in school are sent with stuff for their classmates so its not a romance only event. I buy my toddler holiday related activities including valentines day and we are thinking of having the kids give eachother something small (with my money) now that we have 2 kids.

Only my children get gifts!! My husband and I don’t do anything for each other. As a kid, my daddy gave me chocolates every year! He always knew what kind I liked at the time. Only occasionally was it the assorted chocolates. Just shows your care and love your children.

We don’t do gifts, but I think it’s a fun day to celebrate those you love, even friendships! That’s why kids do little valentines parties at school and ladies often celebrate galentines with their girlfriends. We never did gifts growing up, but still did fun little things. Like my daughter is making valentines for her cousins and grandparents for a fun craft. I plan to make a yummy dinner for my family, I have heart shaped placemats, maybe make a red velvet heart cake, buy my daughter a heart balloon because she loves balloons 😂 just a few fun little things to make memories as a family. But no reason to go overboard with gifts in our home. I love a good date with my husband when we can get childcare, but I’d never go out on Valentine’s Day anyway! It feels cliche and over crowded. We will find another time soon 😊

We have always gotten our daughter something for Valentines day. She's almost 14 now and I'm still giving her something this year. Whether it be a teddy bear, or some chocolates, or whatever. My dad would always drop something off at the office at school and they'd call me down to get it. It made me feel so special and loved. Not weird.

My mom always made it a point to give little valentines gifts to my siblings and I 🩷 I don’t think it’s weird at all to show love to your children but maybe some people only think of Valentine’s Day as a romantic thing 🤷🏼‍♀️ my fiance gave both me and our son a gift last year because we’re the people he loves most so it just made sense.

My LG is only 11 mo but I've got a card for her from us and I'd like to maybe do some sort of tradition (like buy her a rose each year or something).

Aw that’s really sad. I remember as a kid always getting a card and gift from my mum but I think maybe she just signed it “your valentine” lol. But I knew it was her.

It's a Hallmark holiday. They're gonna get goodies of course

I’ve spoken to my partner and we both agree it would be lovely for him to get our daughter her first flowers and to do it every year, to make her have an expectation on the love she deserves from a man when she’s older ❤️

i don’t think it’s weird at all, Valentine’s day is just about love to me! i mean i remember having Valentines parties in elementary school, nothing weird or pervy about that. my mom always gave me Valentines gifts, i honestly haven’t gotten anything for my daughter this year but we’ll be making some themed crafts. people that make things weird are the problem

I don't buy anything for valentine's. To me it's one more stupid commercial celebration. Call me valengrinch. We don't necessarily celebrate as a couple and won't buy stuff for my kids either. We do that on regular basis and usually avoid the crowd in valentine. Everything more expensive, less quality... It's the same as going out in new years eve. Worst idea ever ahahahaha

I get gifts for my daughter. It’s a day to celebrate love in general not just the person you’re partnered with. The reason I keep her as an only child is so I can always afford to make her feel special on these days

When i was a kid it was a thing to send your kids flowers/balloons at school. The office and/or library always looked like a florist shop! I was always left out. 😞 But my dad would sometimes get us something small like a stuffed bear. One year we got to go to build a bear and once he gave us gift cards. Me and my husband don’t really do Valentine’s Day, maybe have a nice dinner. But, I do get something for my son. Last year I got him a single rose and stuffed dinosaur. This year I got him a water cup that I’ll fill with chocolate and a coloring book. Just little gestures. My daughter will be 3 months on Friday. I didn’t get her anything and daddy is out of town. I might let my son pick her out a stuffy. They have to learn how to treat others and how they should be treated some how.

@Usinger that's really cute. That makes me think I could definitely possibly change my mind and gift my son something in case I see him being left out. Then my comment below won't apply anymore. Thanks for sharing.

I think this might vary by country a little bit? I feel like Americans tend to think of Valentines as a day of love for all types of love, and that's why we do Valentines to our kids and at school, etc. But I've noticed (on this app at least) the people who tend not to do Valentines with their kids, tend to be from outside the US 🤷‍♀️ (obviously some people outside the US do it with their kids and people within the US also skip it with their kids, I've just noticed it more common with Americans). I grew up getting Valentines from my parents and giving gifts to friends on Valentines day. It has always been a day to celebrate all the people you love to me. It's my favorite holiday, so I do a little gift for my kids. Even for my husband, I think of Valentines as little gifts 🤷‍♀️ big expensive gifts can be birthday or Christmas.

I've done gift bags this year, but previously they would be included in a special meal

My mom always got me valentines chocolates and a little gift!!

It’s a hard one. Technically it’s a day of romantic love, which could be seen as strange regarding parents. But at the same time, I feel like it’s especially important for dads to show their sons how to treat women with respect and consideration, and their daughters what to expect nothing less than. But for me that comes in the every day. The way they treat their spouse and their kids. The way the kids see others’ interactions and what’s more, the way they see people stand up for what’s right. But the same is true for how to treat men, they need romance too. They need compassion and respect. They’re whole people, regardless of how the media sometimes shows them. I think my dad being vulnerable and more than just a tough guy, was really important to me understanding gender roles and how the stereotypes are toxic.

They’re weird & projecting their own traumas onto others. Also some moms are jealous of their daughter’s so that’s the only reason they’ll get upset or not allow it. It’s the month of love. Love 4 all! Not just romantic but friendships & even family 2! They have Valentine’s Day sections 4 kids at the stores! So sad 2 deprive kids of this cute holiday especially bc they’re the reason why their mom’s are even alive.😞 💔My dad would get me,my mom & my step sister teddy bears & chocolates/snacks! There were times during Valentine’s Day where I was heartbroken bc of stupid boys & coming home 2 my dad giving all of us flowers,snacks & bears made it all better! I knew I could always count on my father’s love no matter what! Now, I demand my hubby get our daughter her lil Valentine’s Day teddy bear & chocolate! That way she knows what 2 expect when she’s older! So my hubby get’s us both cute little gifts & flowers!💛🛍️🫶🏼💝🧸 💐