Straight from the Heart (into the trash can)
Valentine's Day, for me, falls into the same category of holiday as Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve: High pressure media dominated pseudoevents I would happily ignore, if not for the fact that I have children. One school aged child in particular, who has been fully indoctrinated into the codes and customs of our culture, including the dreaded Valentine.
I'm not really that opposed to Valentines in theory. In theory, they are a lovely idea. In practice, however, not so much. In practice, there's the whole branding issue. The endless debate over the relative merits of Strawberry Shortcake vs Barbie valentines. The questions about why the Justice League pack has more Superman and Batman than Wonder Woman, and no Supergirl representation at all. Which of course leads to the issue of gender stereotypes, because boys don't want Barbie valentines, but the girls won't like Cars, so we should probably buy both. And then the agony of addressing the valentines once they are finally chosen: "Heather needs the best one because she's Heather. Eric is mean, so we'll just scribble his name. Derek gets two stickers because he lets me win at Around the World, so Alexis doesn't get any, but that's ok because I don't like her anyway...." All this, for little bits of paper that will only be thrown in the garbage anyway. And really, with the Shaolin Toddler still lingering on the edges of potty training, I'm already throwing enough of my hard earned money directly into the trash, thank you very much.
So, how to indulge Diva Girl's need to participate in this passive aggressive paperchase without actually participating? Well, I might not have the extra cash to throw away on silly rhymes by Spongebob or declarations of eternal devotion from the Disney Princesses, but I do have a craft box stocked with fancy scissors, festive foamies, and, of course, glitter. Martha would be proud; Diva Girl and I went Old School with the handmade hearts this year. There were still questions of how much glitter was enough for Heather's valentine and too much for Alexis' and whether she could put extra foamies on Derek's valentine by giving none to Eric, but somehow it was easier to take, watching the Shaolin Toddler gleefully cover her valentimes (and the cat) in golden glitter.
Comments
This post could not have come at a more perfect time! I too am feeling the pre-school pressure for Valentines Day. I'm right in the middle of wrapping a shoe box for Hibiscus to decorate in the morning. We've gone with a Spongebob theme for his box. I have dip, grapes and fruit fluff dip chilling in the fridge right now for their classes tomorrow. Off I go to sign 15 Go Diego Go! valentines for a bunch of 2 1/2 year olds. At least I'm not faced with teenagers who need giant teddy bears for their girlfriends...oh that thought makes me shudder!
Hooray for homemade valentines! Branding doesn't bother me as much as it does others, but the cheap cheesy Valentines that go straight in the trash? No need for those.
Good post! (hangs head in shame at purchase of cheap, cartoon-based valentines)
Thanks!
No shame in the storebought variety. I was just cheap and particularly grinchy this year. Although, looking at the disaster site that is the kitchen table (and the glitter dunes gathered underneath it), maybe I just should have gotten the Fairly Odd Parents cards after all.
We did the home-made too for very much the same reasons! and bad,mean mother I am only did enough for the JK class but not for daycare kiddos too - there was only so much gluing & cutting I could take! Maybe next time I'll undertake such a project with a glass of wine? Imagine the comments THAT'D get?? Mwahahahahahaha!
Hahaha, well I officially feel like an idiot now! in amongst the flat out rush to school and my own personal dislike for valentines day (its the day I was supposed to get married five years ago!). I completely forgot that my girl might have someone to give a valentine to.
Congratulations to all of you for taking the time whether it was store bought or handmade, you are legends!
my five yar old hasnt a clue what valentines is and my 12 year old goes to a single sex school!
