When Christmas and New Year’s are over, it can be a little depressing. There doesn’t seem to be any big holidays or events coming up, the weather is cold, and people just don’t feel like there is anything to look forward too. However, Valentine’s Day is in February and there are some families out there who take this time to celebrate love. Valentine’s Day has often been tied to romantic love between partners.
That this is the day to celebrate romantic love, but is that really what this holiday is about? There are some parents out there who enjoy celebrating this day with their children, and that includes buying them gifts of chocolates and flowers. Some may wonder if that is allowed. The quick answer is that there are no rules behind when and what you can buy for your children, but let’s explore this ideal.
The History Of Valentine's Day
We can start off by looking at some of the history of Valentine’s Day to try and find a clear answer on who this holiday is for. According to Roses Only, Valentine’s Day is named after a Catholic priest, Saint Valentine, who lived in the 3rd century. There are too many stories and legends surrounding Saint Valentine that seem impossible to uncover here.
In short, St. Valentine’s Day is an “annual festival” to celebrate all forms of love. This could be romantic love, friendship and admiration. It was also noted that on this day, people would give out messages of love to their partners, family and friends. It seems quite clear that this day is about more than just romantic love.
It Is Actually Quite Common
Giving gifts to children on Valentine’s Day may be a lot more common than people think. According to Today, a survey was conducted in 2016 that showed a lot of parents buying for their children over their spouses. It was an online survey of more than 1,500 people and it found that 85% of parents said that they give their children a gift for Valentine’s day, while only 59% said that they buy something special for their spouse.
Should You Do It?
The truth is that no one can tell anyone how to celebrate a holiday, so the decision to give your children a valentine is completely up to you. However, there is no “rule” saying that Valentine’s Day is only for romantic love. According to Made For Mums, some moms were split on this choice when they posed the question on their Facebook page.
One mom said that her mom used to do it for her, and it always made her feel special, so she continues to do it for her children. Other moms said that it is just a bit of fun, and there is no harm in having some fun.
Some other moms thought that the day was really for couples, and thought that buying Valentine’s Day gifts for children was “taking things too far.” Some just wanted to continue to celebrate as a couple. The only true advice there is for parents is to do what works for your family, and to respect the choices that other families make.
Sources: Made For Mums, Today, Roses Only