When asked what I am doing for Linda for Valentine’s Day I usually lie with the response, “Long Stem Roses and a box of See’s Chocolates.” It is said to make a lie more believable add detail, thus the See’s Candy reference which, by the way, any intelligent adult will tell you is, by far, the best. My response invariably gets the thumbs up and a smile.
I used to tell the truth but it got to be too time-consuming and I’d get the “what a jerk” stare. Early in our now approaching 50 year relationship Linda let me know that while she loves receiving gifts she only likes them when given out of love rather than a retail marketing driven holiday like Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day or Secular Christmas and Chanukah, (the notable exception is Birthday’s which are always to be celebrated). We give each other many more gifts than holidays dictate.
So if you love to celebrate with gifts on the days “The Man” tells you to I say “Enjoy! I respect your right to choose.” But if you like the idea of randomly buying gifts for the simple reason you care for someone and know that they would enjoy it, remember this. See’s Candy is always appropriate!