I got a link-back to one of my posts two years ago about Valentine's Day and how the costs of procrastination can be avoided. After all, Valentine's Day is on 2/14 for a reason: That's the price that you pay for roses on that day — two for $14.
Why do guys pay this huge markup? Expectations. They buy them because they feel that their spouse/fiancee/girlfriend expects them. I'm not making a judgment on whether this expectation is correct or not, or calling it materialistic, or anything like that. I'm just saying that the expectation is there for some couples. Valentine's Day isn't really an elaborate holiday for me and my wife, but it is for some couples, and that's fine! It could be the day that they met, or the day that something else happened that they want to celebrate.
If you and your valentine are already set on what you're planning to do today, and if there's an expectation of flowers or candy that you haven't bought yet, I'd get them anyway. It's probably a bit late to change expectations at this point. Yes, the markup is horrible. Yes, the prices will be back to normal tomorrow or even discounted tomorrow. But saving $10 on what might be a key component of today's activities, in the grand scheme of things, isn't worth it.
Happy Valentine's Day!
My fiancee and I live apart from each other. This year, we won't be seeing each other until this weekend, so I get all day tomorrow to do some discounted shopping for flowers. 🙂
The cost of some traditions is a bit excessive. My wife and I like to go for a fancier dinner around valentines but thats about it – I don't need a day of the year where I spend an excessive amount just because the world has decided its spend a lot of money day.
Show someone you care rather than spend enough to prove you care.
I agree that it's often worth it. Some women are really really happy when they get flowers. Paying a bit extra to get them some pretty flowers is a nice and loving thing to do. Maybe not if you have no money, but often the money can be found.
There was one woman on Dr. Phil who was really sad that her husband had never given her flowers, love letters, jewelry, anything like that. Dr. Phil advised him to at least start with the love letters, since he knew they'd make her happy and they weren't a waste of money—free and permanent.
On the other hand, I could go either way with flowers—I like receiving them, but I don't find myself wanting them.
Hope you and Mrs. Bargain Hunter have a good one!
The V-Day gifts that have been the most memorable for my wife – and have lead to the best results for me! – have been things that I have written or created. One year, after the birth of our daughter, I wrote her a poem that she has kept ever since. It’s good relationship insurance to write down your (good) feelings, as Mrs. Micah pointed out! That said, I still usually do something else, gift-wise, as well. I’m a sucker for it, I guess…