They say it’s the thought that counts, but buyers beware: Valentine’s Day is not so much about giving a gift as it is about giving the gift.

There are more fights and breakups on this day than any other day. Expectations are high. Everyone is looking for confirmation of the level and amount of love.

I have always loathed Valentine’s Day because everywhere I went I would see gaudy pink and red balloons and roses and men who are literally suckered into buying the useless things out of “tradition”.

If you don’t receive a Valentine’s card or gift today, it does not mean you are unloved and unwanted. It may mean that the person who does love and want you does not fall for marketing ploys, designed to get the public to spend their hard-earned money.

Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandma’s Day, Grandpa’s Day - all inspired by greeting card manufacturers, tired of only having birthdays and Christmas to recognize with their products. Other tenuous events followed in due course, as the marketing whim took hold: Thank-you Cards, Sorry for Behaving Badly Cards, Retirement Cards, Get Well Cards…

Who knows? Maybe next they’ll think of an “I Didn’t Get Your Card” Card. That will surely get the cash registers ringing again.

If you both have some vacation time built up, put in for a day off and spend it together. Do some simple and purely fun things that you wouldn’t ordinarily get to do? Cuddle together for a big chunk of the day and just enjoy each other instead of stressing out at work.

OK, so take the hint and accept you forgot this oh-so-special day. Why not try something a bit different and show your partner you are more than just about the exterior and want to work on things from the inside.

Why not go that one step further and pick up a copy of the book from any good book store and slip a couple of cinema tickets in the front cover. If your partner has a sweet tooth then chocolates are an obvious choice.

Remember that your love is about the two of you, not about other things - and enjoy it. Hold each other close and enjoy each other, not things and events. Share a few passionate moments - that will mean far more than anything else you can do on this day. Best of all, it’s free!

Come on, let talk.. you turn…

Tags: Lifestyle //