Me? I'm at work. Ah well.
I got my wife an emerald pendant for Valentine's Day one year, and bitterly complained about having to get her gifts on that day. Actually, I just really liked it and I like buying her jewelry. I do hate Valentine's Day, but it made a good excuse to buy something I couldn't really afford.
My son and I share a birthday, on the 16th. We celebrated it on Valentine's Day here with a party. About 15 or so people. It was fun. It was also Chinese New Year, and there were several people from countries that celebrate the new year on that day (none of them actually from China, entertainingly enough).
Of course, if you suggest that to an American woman you'll probably get either the cold shoulder or laxative chocolates.
You know in Japan, the women give men chocolate on Valentines day.
Of course, if you suggest that to an American woman you'll probably get either the cold shoulder or laxative chocolates.
Yeah, and then on White Day (in March) guys give the ladies candy. Valentine's Day isn't a romantic holiday here; women give their male bosses chocolate, that kind of thing. It's obligatory gift day, and one of many in this country.
I actually like the Japanese style of giving gifts of fruit or specially packaged cans of beer or nice chocolate or whatever. Something that is presented very nicely and can be used (usually eaten). That reminds me, actually... gotta get some little packs of tea together for my mother.
Interesting historical note (and not meant to cause discussion of verboten topics), St Valentine was executed by roman officials for performing christian marriages; which were illegal at the time. There's a bitter irony there for those willing to look for it.
... you sure on that? Wikipedia is hardly a great source, but it says that in the first rolls of Saints, St. Valentine was listed as a "we're not sure what this person did or who they really were, but gosh darn it was worth being a saint over, eh?" and no mention of an actual story until the 1400s, and places the guy at the time of Claudius... back when Christian marriages... weren't really a thing, as far as I can tell.
In other news, a kiss-in in front of Notre Dame was moved to a different location due to threats of violence from religious conservatives.
But it's nice that Valentines day is a few days earlier because now all the stores are stocked with cute (and cliche) gifts I can buy for her and if I'm too lazy to get anything before the 14th they're all 50% off as well
And happy Valentines day to anyone who wishes to be wished so
I don't celebrate Valentines day, instead I celebrate "X +1/2 years together" with my girlfriend (which happens to be Februari 18th)
But it's nice that Valentines day is a few days earlier because now all the stores are stocked with cute (and cliche) gifts I can buy for her and if I'm too lazy to get anything before the 14th they're all 50% off as well
And happy Valentines day to anyone who wishes to be wished so
Yeah, my wife always buys me discounted Valentine's Day chocolates for my birthday. Works for me, I get chocolate!
On another note, I should probably figure out what I'm supposed to get the SO on days like this... I mean, he doens't wear jewelry, doesn't really keep silly stuffed animals (ok, we have a box, but it's full of stuff from when we were both kids), isn't much for cards... what do you get that's romantic for a guy? I think that's part of why in the five years we've been together we've never really done anything terribly romantic...
Meat and powertools.
On another note, I should probably figure out what I'm supposed to get the SO on days like this... I mean, he doens't wear jewelry, doesn't really keep silly stuffed animals (ok, we have a box, but it's full of stuff from when we were both kids), isn't much for cards... what do you get that's romantic for a guy? I think that's part of why in the five years we've been together we've never really done anything terribly romantic...
You could always do the dinner thing.
IIRC, he cooks, right? If I remember right, maybe cook him a nice candlelight dinner? Romantic and a nice gesture, IMO ... if you can cook. ;)
EDIT: Oh, be sure to wear the leather pants. Grrrrrrrr.
On another note, I should probably figure out what I'm supposed to get the SO on days like this... I mean, he doens't wear jewelry, doesn't really keep silly stuffed animals (ok, we have a box, but it's full of stuff from when we were both kids), isn't much for cards... what do you get that's romantic for a guy? I think that's part of why in the five years we've been together we've never really done anything terribly romantic...
Meat and powertools.
Believe it or not, Pig, but not everyone has a garage to keep their tools in. When you don't have a workshop or garage, tools can't really be used too well, and just gather dust.
As for meat... well, I'm sure everyone can imagine a bad joke about that.
On another note, I should probably figure out what I'm supposed to get the SO on days like this... I mean, he doens't wear jewelry, doesn't really keep silly stuffed animals (ok, we have a box, but it's full of stuff from when we were both kids), isn't much for cards... what do you get that's romantic for a guy? I think that's part of why in the five years we've been together we've never really done anything terribly romantic...
Meat and powertools.
Believe it or not, Pig, but not everyone has a garage to keep their tools in. When you don't have a workshop or garage, tools can't really be used too well, and just gather dust.
As for meat... well, I'm sure everyone can imagine a bad joke about that.
Fried Chicken then. Who doesn't love fried chicken?
Believe it or not, Pig, but not everyone has a garage to keep their tools in. When you don't have a workshop or garage, tools can't really be used too well, and just gather dust.
As for meat... well, I'm sure everyone can imagine a bad joke about that.
Delayed suggestion but tools really aren't that out of the question. I store mine in my room and keep an emergency socket and wrench set at all times in the back of my car. Usually right behind the front seat.
I don't really have a workshop per say but I do use my tools quite often. I also have a small toolbox in my room. I don't think I would actually keep my tools in a garage if I had one.
IIRC, he cooks, right? If I remember right, maybe cook him a nice candlelight dinner? Romantic and a nice gesture, IMO ... if you can cook. ;)
Hrm... but when I cook, you get black crunchy bits. In the asparagus. And I don't think either of us would want to clean off the table for a candle-lit dinner... it's currently about three levels high of empty soda cans, paper plates, pizza boxes and discarded chicken bones... (what? We're still college students, ya know? Just because I'm a responsible wage-earning adult that pays the bills and taxes, balances the checkbook, brings home the bacon, and still goes to school doesn't mean I have to act like it... I'm sure Devil's Panties has a comic about this...)
EDIT: Oh, be sure to wear the leather pants. Grrrrrrrr.
leather pants?
Sadly, the roommate whose pants those are moved away a few years ago, and took his pants with him. Hrm... I should probably see about getting a new pair of pants, or possibly a kilt...
Sadly, the roommate whose pants those are moved away a few years ago, and took his pants with him. Hrm... I should probably see about getting a new pair of pants, or possibly a kilt...
Delayed suggestion but tools really aren't that out of the question. I store mine in my room and keep an emergency socket and wrench set at all times in the back of my car. Usually right behind the front seat.
I don't really have a workshop per say but I do use my tools quite often. I also have a small toolbox in my room. I don't think I would actually keep my tools in a garage if I had one.
I have to keep most of mine in the garage. No room anywhere else. I keep some screwdrivers and the like in the house so I don't have to go out to the garage for minor stuff. I also keep my battery powered powertools in the house. The drill/driver is uber useful but it's more to keep the batteries out of the cold. Batteries do not like the cold.
Hrm... but when I cook, you get black crunchy bits. In the asparagus. And I don't think either of us would want to clean off the table for a candle-lit dinner... it's currently about three levels high of empty soda cans, paper plates, pizza boxes and discarded chicken bones... (what? We're still college students, ya know? Just because I'm a responsible wage-earning adult that pays the bills and taxes, balances the checkbook, brings home the bacon, and still goes to school doesn't mean I have to act like it... I'm sure Devil's Panties has a comic about this...)
Ah. Well, it was worth a shot.
leather pants?
Sadly, the roommate whose pants those are moved away a few years ago, and took his pants with him. Hrm... I should probably see about getting a new pair of pants, or possibly a kilt...
Delayed suggestion but tools really aren't that out of the question. I store mine in my room and keep an emergency socket and wrench set at all times in the back of my car. Usually right behind the front seat.
I don't really have a workshop per say but I do use my tools quite often. I also have a small toolbox in my room. I don't think I would actually keep my tools in a garage if I had one.
Eh. When I think of power tools I think of my father's and grand father's garages. Wall-to-wall tools of different sorts, saw-tables, power drills, tables with funny clamps and wrenches that can go around corners and in those awkward places behind the sink that a grown man has trouble fitting his hand into to turn a tool.
I don't really think of... small things.
In other news, if you get someone a crowbar as a gift, at least they'll have the right tool to express their displeasure if they don't like it.
In other news, if you get someone a crowbar as a gift, at least they'll have the right tool to express their displeasure if they don't like it.
Nice.It's also a good gift for a D&D player. No adventurer's kit is complete without a crowbar.
Hmm. New idea. Go leather pants shopping together. Fitting room shenanigans encouraged.
... I think I know how I'm going to spend the "make work pay" tax refund credit thing.
Hmm. New idea. Go leather pants shopping together. Fitting room shenanigans encouraged.
... I think I know how I'm going to spend the "make work pay" tax refund credit thing.
That's the spirit!
We don't do either of the Hallmark Days. She hates Valentine's Day less, so we go out to dinner.
What's the other Hallmark Day?
EscherEgnima: Since it seems like you do art, you could always try to make a gift. Maybe something like a drawing of the two of you or something like that. My wife drew "our family" (us plus pets) in a Simpsons style as a gift for Christmas and I thought that was awesome.
But making stuff always seems good if there's no obvious choice.
(I got my wife chocolates because she LOVES chocolate. We are going out to dinner tonight since Saturday and Sunday, we celebrated Chinese New Year's.)
What's the other Hallmark Day?
Sweetest Day. It's the king **** of Hallmark Holidays.
Is it just like another Valentine's?
You could always try that. Nothing says "I love you!" like a massive heart-shaped chunk of handcarved chocolate.
On another note, I should probably figure out what I'm supposed to get the SO on days like this... I mean, he doens't wear jewelry, doesn't really keep silly stuffed animals (ok, we have a box, but it's full of stuff from when we were both kids), isn't much for cards... what do you get that's romantic for a guy? I think that's part of why in the five years we've been together we've never really done anything terribly romantic...
Lass bought my valentines present from the liqour store on the way home.
I got my husband Avatar books 1, 2, & 3.
He got me a Big Daddy (Mr Bubbles), Big Sister, and Subject Delta action figures. They. Are. AWESOME!! :D
Also, he got me Pushing Daisies season 2 and Dexter season 1 because he was afraid the Bioshock 2 figures wouldn't come in time (they didn't, but came like 2 days later). I made out like a bandit!! :D
It's a little late, but cute:
I got my husband Avatar books 1, 2, & 3.
He got me a Big Daddy (Mr Bubbles), Big Sister, and Subject Delta action figures. They. Are. AWESOME!! :D
Also, he got me Pushing Daisies season 2 and Dexter season 1 because he was afraid the Bioshock 2 figures wouldn't come in time (they didn't, but came like 2 days later). I made out like a bandit!! :D
It's husbands like that, that set the bar so high.
It's a little late, but cute:
I got my husband Avatar books 1, 2, & 3.
He got me a Big Daddy (Mr Bubbles), Big Sister, and Subject Delta action figures. They. Are. AWESOME!! :D
Also, he got me Pushing Daisies season 2 and Dexter season 1 because he was afraid the Bioshock 2 figures wouldn't come in time (they didn't, but came like 2 days later). I made out like a bandit!! :D
It's husbands like that, that set the bar so high.
In more ways than one.
Personally, I bought the wife a car in Dec 2008, so I can scrape by with gummy hearts and candy bars till this coming Christmas.
No idea what I'm going to do then though...
Maybe I should buy her some GM stock or something?