Valentine's Day Scrooge

My SO and I got over this issue by deciding, in advance of our first V-Day together, to use the majority of the money we were going to spend on something we BOTH want.  We each reserve a small amount for a surprise for each other.  That V-Day we spent the money on a weekend away at a nice hotel, and he bought me some lovely flowers, I bought him some gourmet coffee.  The next year we bought a stereo system for our bedroom (we had by then moved in together) and he bought me a necklace he knew I wanted, I bought him a DVD box set that I knew he wanted.

It might not be the most romantic thing, but it works for us and prevents disappointments.
 
ETA:  The reason this works is because generally, I want romantic gifts (flowers, jewellery etc) and he doesn't have a need for that stuff.  It's a lot easier to shop for him when buying "small" things that I know he'll actually use and enjoy, and that don't need to be romantic.  Although I'd rather give him something he'd enjoy, I don't really want to be the source of a new dvd player or something equally "boyish" on a romantic holiday.

Kate

You know, last year on Valentine's day I got so screwed (and NOT in the good way!).
 
My husband and I had gotten engaged a few months before, and it was our first Valentine's day together.  I planned to meet him for breakfast near his house on Valentine's morning, and I gave him a totally awesome card with a VERY heartfelt message written in it, and I gave him a heart-shaped box filled with Reese's pieces, and I also had gotten him some scratch-off lottery tickets and buried them in the candy.  I thought it was an awesome idea! 
 
He was in major breakdown mode with a bunch of stuff going on in his life and basically thanked me for my Valentine's day gift and said, "Sorry I'm being a sh!t."  I figured that maybe he'd surprise me with something later?  Nothing.  At all.  I got a text message later that night that said, "Sorry I didn't get you a card or a gift or anything."  I was pissed. 
 
So I should probably bring something up to him this year about Valentine's Day...because at this point I am not inspired to do anything.  I might get a card and keep it til the end of the night and give that to him regardless of whether he does something or not, but I'm like you - I'd like him to get a little creative and make the day special. 

Don't feel bad, I never know what to get DH for v-day.  This year he said he wanted a video game (how romantic).  [8D]

A video game! That is so funny! My ex had wanted that too!
 
And Gina, I TOTALLY understand. One year, I bought my ex a Disney collectible of Mickey Mouse because he loved that stuff, his favorite candy, a card, a dvd he had been wanting and you know what I got? NOTHING. Not even a damn card. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. I am STILL bitter about that and it's been 2 years.

DH & I think v-day is a silly holiday. Maybe not so silly when you are dating but after being married we both skip Feb 14th and pay more attention to our anniversary.
 
 

ORIGINAL: melindar

Don't feel bad, I never know what to get DH for v-day.  This year he said he wanted a video game (how romantic).  [8D]

 
For our first anniversary, he got a wireless router for the house.  It's what he wanted.  [8|]
 
Kate

I hate V-day too.  I dont' remember my mom getting more than flowers or chocolates and that was fine.  I don't see why it has to be more than that honestly.  Plus it's 3 days after my birthday, so I feel like the guy would be doing double duty if I celebrated it.  I'd rather us go out to dinner some night OTHER than "crazy" night and enjoy each other's company.  I truly DON"T want to do V-day... just another commercial excuse to make people spend money... sheesh...

ORIGINAL: tashakota

I hate V-day too.  I dont' remember my mom getting more than flowers or chocolates and that was fine.  I don't see why it has to be more than that honestly.  Plus it's 3 days after my birthday, so I feel like the guy would be doing double duty if I celebrated it.  I'd rather us go out to dinner some night OTHER than "crazy" night and enjoy each other's company.  I truly DON"T want to do V-day... just another commercial excuse to make people spend money... sheesh...

 
I would hate to go out to dinner around V-Day because it's insane. I used to work at a restaurant and oh my goodness. This day was just about the busiest day of the year. I would rather make dinner or order take-out on V-Day. How come it can't just be that? I would be totally fine with nothing more than eating at home. Too much pressure with this holiday. I hate it. I just went through a stressful gift giving birthday month of January (3 birthdays I had to seriously shop for) and I'm done. I don't want to buy another thing.

A video game! That is so funny! My ex had wanted that too!

 
Guys do think alike then!?  [sm=crazy.gif]  It does fit him though, he's going to school for Video Game Design.

I wish, and this is going to sound SO bad, that I never had to get a guy anything on this holiday and that I could just receive. []

 
I don't think it sounds bad - that's exactly what I do!!   We don't go out to dinner anymore on VD either, because (as you suggested) it's the WORST night of the year to get good service and food.  So, now he just comes home with chocolates, champagne, whatever - and I just receive! 

quote]ORIGINAL: labcrab

I wish, and this is going to sound SO bad, that I never had to get a guy anything on this holiday and that I could just receive. []

I don't think it sounds bad - that's exactly what I do!!   We don't go out to dinner anymore on VD either, because (as you suggested) it's the WORST night of the year to get good service and food.  So, now he just comes home with chocolates, champagne, whatever - and I just receive! 

 
That sounds good to me! [] 

Oh dear lord...men are so EASY to get presents for! You don't even have to spend money...lol.
 
Given the choice between a material item or erm..something else, they will always pick the something else.
Very fun day here all around...lol...

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Oh dear lord...men are so EASY to get presents for! You don't even have to spend money...lol.
 
Given the choice between a material item or erm..something else, they will always pick the something else.
Very fun day here all around...lol...

 
ROFL!!  [sm=rotfl.gif]  Why do I have a feeling Billy will be by to put his [sm=2cents.gif] in?  []

Lol...[]
Doubtless so...probably all the boys will be by...but I doubt they argue with me. []