Be My Valentine

Now I must confess the title of today's blog is a bit mis-leading as I did not really do anything much to do with Valentine's day. It is one of those traditions that I know is very popular in the U.S.A. but it has never been very big in New Zealand up until more recent years and, like Halloween, it has become something that is pushed more and more as each year goes by - primarily by retailers wanting our money. It has been turned into an industry that I am sure generates a lot of income for businesses but it does annoy me that there seems to be an expectation to purchase a gift for your loved one and I wonder if people end up buying things they can't afford or giving things that the recipient doesn't really want or need just because it fits with the Valentines Day theme.

I am aware that my thoughts on this make me sound a bit like the Grinch at Christmas but I do get annoyed by the unnecessary commercialisation of things and the foisting of other peoples traditions on us for no other reason I can see than for this commercialisation. My husband and I don't expect anything from each other on Valentine's Day. I know he loves me and I think he should be able to express that any day of the year and not just feel the need to on one particular day and not by buying things like very expensive red roses!

I have nothing against the expression of love for each other and if it creates an opportunity for people to tell each other how they feel I am all for that but I think it should be done in a way that costs nothing except time. Maybe making something such as a cake or a card,or picking some flowers you have grown, writing a poem - all things that show the person you love you have really been thinking about them. My mum always had a rule when we were growing up that we were only allowed to give things we had made to her and dad on Mothers and Fathers day as she felt even  way back then that they had become commercialised. I can still remember some of things I made and the pride I had in giving them. I guess that is how I feel about Valentine's Day.

I wondered what I might do as a photo for today due to that lack of Valentine Day celebrations at our house and I remembered this little Garfield I got for my 16th birthday from a friend way back in the 80's (my birthday is nowhere near February). He may have been meant for a Valentine style gift but he came as a gift of friendship that I have kept for many years. 

I hope people have been able to tell their loved ones how they feel about them today with heartfelt sincerity and not with stuff bought on the credit card to have to pay back over the next few weeks or months!