Valentines Day has come around again and I was wondering the other day what the fuss if all about. I remember growing up and having girlfriends that I would buy Valentines Day presents or flowers for them or better still I used to get a bunch of roses from my Uncles rose farm which were free and they all used to think that I spent hundred of dollars on them. I did tell them eventually where the roses came from. Regardless, I used to buy into the fact that I just HAD to buy Valentines Day presents for my partner at the time. Why?
Elise and I in Quito Ecuador
Now that I am older and wiser (well you make your own mind up on that one) I can say that I no longer buy into this unwritten retailing agreement for everyone to spend more money on things we don’t really need. Valentines Day has been dreamt up buy retailers and florists across the world to make money off consumers and we now choose not to buy into this fake day. Rather we celebrate our love for one another each and every day we are together. Yeah, I know you are thinking that can’t be true, but it is. We try and show each other that we love one another in a small little ways each day. It really isn’t that hard. I am not talking about getting a sky writer proclaim my love for Elise, but doing little things that will just make a smile and think of me.
I challenge you this Valentines Day to not buy expensive presents for one another but to go out and celebrate your love by not spending money on things you don’t need. Go out for a long walk together or sit and chat at the first place you met. Be romantic without over indulging in Valentines Day presents.
Valentines Day and Travel
When we were travelling around the world we would always celebrate Birthdays and dates like Valentines Day in unusual locations. We became creative and celebrated the things that really mattered and it was simply just being together without any other distractions which became our celebrations. Bring Valentines Day back to being about love and not only about how many, how big or expensive the Valentines Day presents are.
Travelling together
Yes, I am a cynic but that doesn’t mean that I don’t celebrate Valentines Day. I think that it is great to show Elise that I love her on this day, I just hate that I am told on what day we are suppose to do it and that we really pushed to be buying Valentines Day presents.
What are your thoughts on Valentines Day presents?
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Valentine’s Day is about showing the special person in your life how much you care about them. A lot of busy couples forget to remind each other of how much they are appreciated because daily life gets in the way. Even small gestures get lost in the shuffle. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be extravagant to mean something, it just has to mean something to you.
I couldn’t agree more. I just wanted to challenge the thought behind Valentines Day and question what we are really celebrating. It is easy to get caught up in buying all these gifts for your partner without really thinking about your love for one another. My view is to slow down and just enjoy each others company.
I agree with you. You don’t need to spend so much money to show you love someone. My husband and I have been together for over 10 years, and we don’t go crazy over valentines day. We do so many fun and cool things already to show our love without having to wait for a holiday to do it. We go on picnics, do activities and more just because.
That is exactly what I am talking about. It is much better to go on a picnic and enjoy each others company than spend all that money on presents. Showing you love for one another is much more than just a gift and why wait for Valentines day to show that you love them. Good to see you love is still going strong after 10 years
Matt and I are definitely not VDay people. We just see it as such a random hallmark holiday! That being said we enjoy being tacky! Last year we just watched a HORRIBLE romantic comedy while drinking wine and it was great! Can’t wait to see what funny ridiculous traditions we’ll think of next on our RTW! (P.S : Love your blog!!)
Glad you like our website
on our trip RTW we used come up with things on our date nights we used to have. you have to be creative and try and keep the spark alive when you are together so often. Good luck on your RTW journey and we look forward to hearing all about it.
We just wish each other a happy day, and try to do something nice for each other. A gesture like a back or head massage. Oh and we like to cook a nice meal (just because we like good food!). With a glass of wine for me, but not Marty as he gave alcohol up over two years ago now!
We never normally celebrate Valentines Day! This morning was different – hubby woke me up with a card, coffee and a tin of Vanilla Chocolate chip cookies..and then this afternoon he comes home with afternoon tea!
Totally not expected any of that
Wonder what I can do to say thanks!
Cheers
Lisa
We agree! It’s more important for us to make small affectionate efforts everyday rather than making one big effort on one day! We travel full time together – its a challenge everyday as we grow from our experiences to remain best friends, co-pilots, lovers… To grow together. We’ e been together for 14 Valentines’ – and hand made cards have been the only exchange… Oh, and a kiss! Great share, thanks!
Here’s what we did:
holger: are we doing the valentine’s thing this year?
kerstin: oh, i don’t know. how about i buy you beer, you buy me chocolate?
holger: deal!