What do you spend for Valentine's Day ?

[pocomom]

Interesting discussion with friend today, got me wondering what do you spend for Valentines? When kids were in school they would do little treats for friends, and a small gift for teacher such as homemade treat, mug with hot cocoa, plant we planted in a handpainted pot, maybe $5 worth. My husband buys each of the kids a little chocolate, maybe $5 and he and I exchange candy, maybe I might get flowers. This year we decided to exchange no more than $20 dates along the lines of dvd and popping corn, groupon to restaurant, etc. I'm actually making him some massage oil among other things, since we don't want the candy in the house.
My friend is getting her husband a $500 watch. He buys her equally expensive jewelry. I have no desire to make V-day a stressful, expensive holiday for us, but was just wondering if this was the trend?

 

[luvmy3]

Interesting discussion with friend today, got me wondering what do you spend for Valentines? When kids were in school they would do little treats for friends, and a small gift for teacher such as homemade treat, mug with hot cocoa, plant we planted in a handpainted pot, maybe $5 worth. My husband buys each of the kids a little chocolate, maybe $5 and he and I exchange candy, maybe I might get flowers. This year we decided to exchange no more than $20 dates along the lines of dvd and popping corn, groupon to restaurant, etc. I'm actually making him some massage oil among other things, since we don't want the candy in the house.
My friend is getting her husband a $500 watch. He buys her equally expensive jewelry. I have no desire to make V-day a stressful, expensive holiday for us, but was just wondering if this was the trend?

For as long as I remember people have been known to give expensive jewelry or other gifts to their SO on Valentine's Day.
I don't spend a lot on V-Day gifts, maybe $50 on dh and under $20 on each of the kids.

 

[scrapquitler]

We aren't big on Valentines Day here. I spent about $20 on a bunch of candy for DH and both kids. Dh took me out to dinner last night (going on Valentines Day is too crazy and extra expensive), but we do that about once a week anyway. So our budget, about $20.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We've never been big Valentine's Day people. We give our girls a bit of candy and a small gift, around $10 each. We always do belgium waffles with fresh strawberries for dinner. Very simple here.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's not a big-budget holiday for us eother. Just mushy cards, or maybe a small, sentimental gift.

 

[pocomom]

For as long as I remember people have been known to give expensive jewelry or other gifts to their SO on Valentine's Day.
I don't spend a lot on V-Day gifts, maybe $50 on dh and under $20 on each of the kids.

I know I have ocassionally recv'd jewelry or something, but in general we make it cheap and easy- My friend said the expensive gifts are the norm now in her circle of friends (different city), and she felt like it was a status thing for her dh... we have similar annual incomes and similar spending habits otherwise.

 

[EagleScout]

we go pretty low-key for v day- trying to avoid candy because both of us plan to be in "swimsuit" shape for upcoming May Disney trip, so maybe a card- my wife specifically told me not to waste money on flowers (but I frequently get them for her "just because" when not V day). and we are a family that gives lots of gifts, just not on this day.

 

[akcire]

I bought my 2 year old a Mylar balloon


I got my husbands copy of sky fall 007 movie

All in $22

 

[gillenkl]

My kids are older so they don't have any in school activities. I bought them each a costume for their Duffy bear, a movie size box of candy and a book. DH and I don't usually do anything - we are spending 3 nights at AKL in August and that will be in lieu of any holiday/birthday gifts this year.

 

[ManyMinnie]

I spent about $20 a piece on the kids and around $100 on DH.

I don't know what he is getting me.

 

[dryvithome]

I know people who go all out for VD, but we don't spend very much. At best a card for each other, if we even do that. This year, maybe a text message. But that's how we've always participated in Valentine's. Had the kids make a card last year, and will probably do that again. Cardstock paper we have on hand, and making hearts is good practice for their little hands. Regardless of what others are spending, it doesn't affect us. Hope you enjoy your Valentine's!

 

[wiigirl]

My kids get a small heart box of chocolates and a stuffed bear.

My DH gets to take me out for dinner in the new dress I bought.

 

[mward73]

The kids are only 3 and 6, so not much - maybe $20 total, excluding dinner. I got the valentine's cards for the 2 classes last year for 90% off. After Christmas this year, I got cute plates (red and white), napkins, tablecloth, etc for 90% off at Target. I went to the dollar store and picked up champagne flutes (apple juice for the kids, but they think it's funny to get to drink out of these). Also got 5 boxes of candy (2 kids, DH, bus driver and teacher) for $1 each. Picked up some Ninja valentine decorations for $4. Got each of them a card (dollar store).

That's really all they get. It's more of a "fun" day for us - we decorate the table with cute stuff and have a nice dinner. I did get a little pot of tulips for the table ($3) and DH and I are having a really nice dinner (that I cook) but we don't do big gifts.

Watch, this will be the first time ever that DH comes home with a gift, but normally, this is all we do. lol

 

[lisaross]

My husband would go expensive i tell him not to - but he'll probably get me dozen roses/ or flowers etc. I told him all i want is for him to pick up my favorite dinner - its just a fast food place LOL

I buy my husband Godiva Chocolate every year - spend about $20.

My boys i spent 20.00 for a pillow pet for my younger son and my older son got him a soft fuzzy blanket he wants for about 13.00

 

[VirataMama4]

We don't really celebrate Valentine's day in my house, since it's my birthday. I do tend to get DH and the kids something small with a card.

 

[marthachick]

DH got me flowers yesterday "before they're picked over" from Walmart or the grocery store. He said he was sorry they didnt come from the florist & I told him I wouldn't enjoy the ones from the florist because they're too expensive & not any nicer. I bought him & DS a card & a little candy because we're all trying to cut back. We'll probably go out for lunch tomorrow instead of dinner because of crazy schedules.

DH used to work in a department with a bunch of women. They talked awful about their husbands/boyfriends 364 days of the year but if they sent flowers on Valentine's Day "oh he's so sweet!" I'd rather have someone treat me well year round than 1 day a year!

And BTW, DH is always my Valentine.

 

[BelleMaria]

The longer my DH and I have been together the less extravagant the gifts have gotten. Not because we don't care about each other, but we realize the day is really not that important and we have so many birthdays and holidays around this time of year. I did however get him a nice card ( Mickey of course haha) and we will make sushi for dinner and watch wall e and a horror movie.... I know we are weirdos. I also bought him some candy and he payed a graphic artist to paint me as a disney princes bahaha it was only 5.00 I'm curious to see how it looks.

 

[pocomom]

We don't really celebrate Valentine's day in my house, since it's my birthday. I do tend to get DH and the kids something small with a card.

Happy Birthday! My brother was born on Valentine's and I was born on my parent's anniversary... my poor mom never got either holiday!

 

[maggiew]

I never bought stuff for our kids for Valentines day? I might buy some Valentine M&Ms and put in our candy dish, but no gifts. We usually make Valentines cookies or cake pops or something. I also used to help the kids make Valentine cards for the classmates with lace hearts, construction paper, etc.

DH & I usually will go out to eat for Valentines Day. Not expensive places but a chain restaurant just to kind of give a nod to the day. We don't often give things to each other besides maybe a card and candy. Last year DH got me a charm for my Pandora bracelet. But that was out of the ordinary.

Maggie

 

[MomToOne]

No current significant other here, although I've done both cheap and more expensive with past ones. It just all depends on the nature of the relationship and the personalities involved, I think.

For DD12, I'll make a batch of sugar cookies in the shape of a heart with red sprinkles. That's it.