When did Valentine's Day start becoming big again?

[DodgerGirl]

Every year in January I notice that Valentine's Day is now becoming big and I never had known Valentine's Day to be such a big deal as it used to be not promoted often as much as it is today. Because I have seen commercials for Shari's Berries selling Valentine's Day fruit baskets and also florists have deals on Valentine's Day bouquets and it tells me that these are top Valentine's Day gifts for this year. It used to be that jewelry was always the number one gift of Valentine's Day along with candy heart boxes but now it's flowers and even gift baskets with a plush bear or any other stuffed animal inside. And when you go to the store they have two aisles full of Valentine's Day merchandise and it tells me that out of all the big holidays Valentine's Day is the one that makes a lot of money for stores

 

[PollyannaMom]

And when you go to the store they have two aisles full of Valentine's Day merchandise and it tells me that out of all the big holidays Valentine's Day is the one that makes a lot of money for stores

I think you've answered your own question. The stores are promoting whatever will make money. They have all that empty space after Christmas, so they fill it with Valentine stuff.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I don’t recall it not being big. Always promoting flowers, jewelry and candy as long as I can remember.

 

[jrmasm]

Nothing new

 

[DisneyHardin]

I'm 44 and Valentine's Day has always been big at least where I live.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I suppose plush stuffed animals is a relatively new thing, but Valentines has always been a big deal in my memory.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm 44 and Valentine's Day has always been big at least where I live.

Same here.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Same here. Always big. It's been in my world for probably 73 of my 78 years.

 

[tony67]

Its always been big IMO

I think the difference is they are promoting it much earlier than they used to - just like Halloween and Christmas - the stuff is going out earlier and earlier every year

 

[GreatLakes]

It was always big here at the candy stores and flower shops but I don't remember it being everywhere like it is now. I also don't remember St. Patrick's Day being a huge merchandise holiday in the past. I could have missed it but I have no memory of all the stores having aisles of junk decorations for either of those holiday before the past decade.

 

[TippyThomas]

It seems pretty normal to me. Pretty much the same as it's been for years and years.

 

[Disneylover99]

Agree with others. Always big. Right after Christmas.

 

[mamamary]

Yep always big around here also.

 

[disneychrista]

It is as big of a deal as ever. Worst day of the year in my opinion. A day dedicated to making singles feel worse about themselves. I know in reality that it isn’t the case but it sure feels that way.

 

[wvjules]

It is as big of a deal as ever. Worst day of the year in my opinion. A day dedicated to making singles feel worse about themselves. I know in reality that it isn’t the case but it sure feels that way.

Celebrate YOU! Treat yourself to something special.

 

[QueenIsabella]

It's always been big. My birthday is February 15th. Even as a child, we would shop on my birthday to get half-priced candy and party decorations. Now as an adult, I tell my husband NOT to get me flowers, candy, etc. for Valentine's Day, but instead, pick it up on/for my birthday. He's even gotten leftover, day-old floral arrangements.

The only time this backfired was when he ordered roses "or equivalent" for my birthday. Not a rose to be found, so I got this huge, gaudy, priced-like-a-dozen-long-stemmed-roses monstrosity.

The only exception to the above rule in our house is, we've known rural fire departments to order a truckload of rose bouquets, and sell them (surprisingly cheap!) as a fundraiser. They used to be $5/dozen, many colors available. We're both former firefighters, we'll support them any time, plus it was a true bargain--DH would get a bouquet each for me and our 2 daughters.

 

[1420Elexismc]

This is a good reminder for me to grab Valentine's cards for my son's class...I always forget and scramble last minute when he changes his mind and decides he wants to do them after telling me he doesn't

 

[Mysterian]

It is as big of a deal as ever. Worst day of the year in my opinion. A day dedicated to making singles feel worse about themselves. I know in reality that it isn’t the case but it sure feels that way.

DC, don't you like stale peeps? They sell those for V-Day too. Silver linings!

I've never been huge into Valentine's even when I was dating someone, and fortunately most of those I've dated felt the same way. A day where companies obligate you to buy something for your significant other. And the stuff you buy? Oh, that's a topic for my next post!

And like other holidays, this one has nothing to do with it's roots: Two guys got executed on February 14th, so now you're buying chocolates and an oversized bear that's going to Goodwill by Christmas?

 

[Mysterian]

Saw much of the Valentine's stuff yesterday, at Wally's and the Dollar Tree.
Valentine's Day isn't going anywhere, but so much of the stuff I see is the exact same stuff every year. VD is frozen in a rigid cliche' of tackiness.

Does anyone here do something besides the norm?

It'd be interesting to see Valentine's stuff sporting a broader color palette, and more than just the usual hearts, cupids, etc. Otherwise it's just all a drab, monotone pink blur. Folks, I think we could do better.

 

[RedAngie]