Bah humbug (ish)

Once more I reach Valentine’s Day without someone to buy stuff for. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. OK, it means I’m single (as even my mother has decided I’m fated to be forever) but from an economical point of view it saves me a few bob.

Thing is, this is yet another day that traditionally doesn’t mean a lot, but courtesy of Hallmark et al has suddenly burgeoned into a massive market for cards and crappy plastic gifts.

I used to go out with an American girl (as many of you may know) and I actually got a Valentine’s card from her parents. Yet another difference between the US and the UK. Over there, it’s the "greeting card day for February". Over here, that would just be plain weird (no offense, Sonja, if you’re reading!)

Thing is, there are so many occasions now when you’re "supposed" to buy gifts and things nowadays. Mother’s Day is just around the corner (in the UK – I know the US and Oz have a different date to fill a bigger gap in the greetings card calendar), there are birthdays, xmas, anniversaries, christenings, weddings, divorces (yes – I’ve actually bought someone a "congratulations on your divorce" card before), exams, new houses, driving tests… The list is virtually endless.

Here’s my view. Cards and gifts are all well and dandy. We all have people we know and care about so how’s about this for an idea? Stuff cards. Stuff crappy plastic toys and paying a fortune to get a dinner date somewhere on a particular date when every other bugger is trying to beat you to it. If said person is remote, phone them if it’s a special day. Come on, what would you rather a mate did? Drop you an overpriced piece of paper for passing your driving test or rang you up to say "well done" more personally.

If you live with the person, treat them well all the bloody time. If we need one day a year to try and get across how much someone means to us then we’re on a hiding to nothing. Set aside your own day. Surprise each other. Sod Hallmark and everyone trying to profit from your desparation to impress someone.

For once, I’m hoping I don’t come across as a miserable git. Basically, I’m saying that if you have someone you care about don’t just save it all up for one or two days a year to let them know it. There are 365 days each year and if they’re that special then they should know how you feel on every one of them, not just on February 14th.