MUSINGS St Valentine’s Day? No thanks

How I love thee


Maggie Gibbons

When it comes to St Valentine’s Day, are you all about hearts, roses and cute little cuddly toys, or do you think the whole thing is a load of hyped-up nonsense and so commercialised that it sends you to distraction?
Personally, I think it’s vulgar and excessive and a big waste of money; a day designed by card sellers to persuade us that we don’t love someone unless we show them in this grossly tacky way.
Call me unromantic if you like, but I think romance and love is all about the million little things we do for each other on a daily basis rather than one magnanimous gesture on February 14. But prepare for the onslaught, because from now until that fateful day, you will be the target of every florist, card shop and chocolate maker on the planet.
My fella once sent me a long-stemmed red rose, beautifully packaged and delivered to the door by our local florist. Well I oohed and aahed for a few minutes while my head was racing with all the things I could have done with the money, like buy half a pair of shoes!
I waited for the fuss to die down, and a couple of days later told him NEVER to do that again. I didn’t want to rain on his parade, but I get so annoyed at the exploitation of people who just want to express their love and think this is the way to do it. (And, no, I never got roses again on St Valentine’s Day. Serves her right, you’re saying!)
There are lots of novel ways to let him or her know how you feel. Why not cook a really special meal. My sister will bake a heart-shaped cake, probably with chocolates and strawberries, and always cooks his favourite dinner. There will be a candle on the table and nice music on the stereo.
Another lovely idea is to set up a little treasure hunt of clues which eventually lead to a lovely surprise. This I must admit is more for the young couples, I certainly couldn’t imagine doing it in my house unless he was sure there was something really great at the end, like, er … a game of football with Man United! I wouldn’t swap him for the world though and treasure all the roads we’ve travelled together, rough and smooth. He’s one of those who is consistently kind and thoughtful.
You could also get a good DVD and sit down to watch it together. In most houses, I know it’s like divorce ‘Irish style’ with him in one room watching football while she’s watching something else in the kitchen. Why not change it for a night?
If you are going to splash out, ideas like dinner out, a nice show or weekend away are just some of the things that would surely delight your special person. They could be booked for significant dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
Well there you have it. As you will have gathered, I’m not a big fan of St Valentines Day. If you are though, then go for it! Buy the biggest sloppiest card you can get, gorge on chocolates together and cuddle up to the cute little teddy you get.
I’m off now to give my fella a big hug!

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted
at living@mayonews.ie.