" That's how I know I'm loved." Really?

You have your guy. How could there be a better Valentine's day gift?, other than to have him voice such love for you, I guess.

I agree with you. Material things don't equate to love. But, if your man knows that you really want something, and he does what he can to get it for you, that is love. He's interested in making you happy. Imagine you have a guy who tells you he loves you everyday, but barely spends a dollar on you. The jewelry and nice things that you want you have to get yourself. That's not a very desirable situation, either.

First and foremost, that's marketing. The whole point of marketing is to make people think they HAVE to have something for one reason or another. It's almost never how reality actually works, that's just the way it is. Secondly, everyone is different. You don't like gifts? Great for you. Some women do and that doesn't make them somehow inferior for it. Some people believe in "it's the thought that counts". But not in the "hey s/he thought to get me something". It's about it being obvious that there was thought put into it. That s/he actually noticed an interest you had and planned it out to provide it for you with a sentimental value. It's not about "I have money I can get it myself", it's about "he noticed that I commented on that and went out of his way to give it to me because he wants to see me happy". Maybe I am just some materialistic wh*re, but I very strongly believe in the power of a thoughtful and mindful gift. As for the significance of Valentine's, its a convenient excuse to take time to do something special. Sometimes life gets in the way, times gets away from you and holidays in general provide not only a reminder to take the time to be appreciative or appreciated, but something to look forward to, a specific something to plan for rather than just an abstract "sometime".

I agree. I like nice things, but those things are not the things that make me feel loved. I can get nice things myself. I wouldn't want a relationship if the only time I felt loved was when he bought me something.

That's why I think that Valentine's is just another one of those 'special days' perpetuated by greeting card companies! I often wondered why we have to break the bank on one single day. What about the other days the rest of the year?! And I don't see why people get stressed out in making reservations, or buying gift for the 14th, when it could easily be done on the 13th. Or the 15th. Or August 14th. Or whatever date you fancy.

TSK, TSK, TSK...I totally have the same point of view!! Yeah it's nice when your man thinks of buying you those things but basing his love on what he gives you is total CR*P!!! I love it when my man gives me gifts but even without those I know he loves me and I never, ever ask him what he'll give me for Valentines or my Birthday or our anniversary...and I don't expect it for he's not really a romantic type but isn't him loving me the best gift of all? ...sadly our world today seem to base the value of everything on material things, even love....sigh

My husband and I go hog wild on Valentine's Day, but we have our own reasons. First off, we don't have to do big special things to show eachother we're loved, we just ahve to do the things that are special for us (when I surprise him randomly with his favourite chocolate bar, when he makes me a cup of Turkish coffee, when we just sit on the couch and kiss eachother, when we spend hours talking). Mind you, we go nuts on Valentine's Day because for the first few years, when we had a long distance relationship, by total coinsedence, Valentine's Day was the only day we were ALWAYS together. We didn't plan it that way, it just worked out that way. So we've never missed a Valentine's Day, and we decided we never will, but that's just us. We don't understand all the promotion crap either.

I agree..though it's been a long time since I had someone in my life...the most precious gifts that prove to me they love me...(if I needed to be proven I am loved) are the little handmade cards I got so many years ago from my kids...and the ones I get now from my grandkids...they mean so very much to me!

It is surprising that a woman like you have such views, good though. I think gifts should not be related to love. A man can gift a woman with love or without love.There are other ways to know your guy is in love with you. But it will be good if your guy surprises you with a gift you have been planning to buy for a long time, that shows his love, that need not be costly, though. Good discussion.

I don't have a boyfriend so I don't expect anything for Valentine's Day! I know women who don't expect or want anything on Feb.14th! Then there are the couples who are so busy raisnig a family they do nothing on Feb 14th! Then there are men who will not get their wives or girlfriends anything because they give the excuse Valentine's Day is just a made up holiday so they don't have to buy them anything! Then there are guys who are so cheap they buy the list expensive thing! I also know of a woman who's husband overdoes the presents and that isn't just on Feb 14th!! This woman hates that! I love the guys who do treat their loved ones not just not on Feb.14th,like your man! Then lastly their are the women who demand and expect the works on Feb 14th! Those guys I feel sorry for,too!

I am a materialistic type of girl..hahaha! just kidding. I do love flowers and I use to receive a bouquet of flower every month for our monthsary when we were still in engagement stage. We are now married for more than two years and he still give me flowers for our wedding anniversary. Well, it is not every month anymore but it is only once a year now. I feel that I am very special to him when I receive something from him. I am confident that he really loves me but when he is spending his time to buy present for me, I am so happy that inspite of his very busy schedule, he find ways to make me happy.