Is it just me being a grumble bum?
Y’see I did quite a few Christmas-oriented chocolate reviews in December and even found myself a few Boxing Day bargains to enjoy:
And on the 2nd of January, we rocked up to see Hot Cross Buns for sale at Woolworth’s and Easter Eggs available from K-Mart:
Then, a week later than the Easter guff (even though it’s in February and a lot closer), we had the inevitable Valentine’s Day stand:
So, if it’s alright with you guys, I’m going to ignore Valentine’s Day. Apart from it being overly-commercialised and forcing people to either spend money on ‘being romantic’ if they’re attached or feel a bit miserable if they’re single and not getting an overpriced delivery of roses and a teddy bear at work, it also interferes with the three months of Easter marketing.
They’re not silly these merchandisers. They know that greedy fools like me are going to leap at the Cadbury Creme Eggs from the 2nd of January and eat them before the drive home has been completed. They also know that we’ll buy another packet, and then another one, and another, thus ensuring many sales before the four-day weekend.
With Valentine’s Day, you’re not as likely to buy-and-gobble a gift. Instead you may still feel obligated to buy, but will feel a fair bit more annoyed about it and will leave it until the very last minute. That’s why the stuff is only out in January and not – if the chocolate calendar is set for Easter and Christmas dates – from November.
Besides, Valentine’s Day falls on the Chinese New Year – this one being year of the tiger and everyone can join in – partnered or single.
Finally, the reason why I’m not going to do a gooey Valentine’s Day chocolate review is because it is also the day of my darling dog Milly’s birthday. She’s six – that’s 42 in dog years – and is much more important to celebrate. Plus, dogs can’t eat chocolate, it’s poisonous!
Hi, I agree it is over commercialised. I think we should show the person we love that they are thought of and loved everyday of the year and not just one day. All it does is make the shops and Hallmark richer. After all it is really just another American custom isn’t it?
Well, Easter is one of those holidays that you can get candy that isn’t normally sold throughout the year. With Valentine’s Day, you can pretty much get everything all year round.
I’m all for ignoring valentines day, that’s certainly what we do here. I too noticed easter eggs just after Christmas, I have resisted buying any cream eggs….so far….
Yes it is, Jo. Valentines cards were never handed out when I was in primary school or highschool but by the late 1980s it seemed to have become entrenched here. A bit like Halloween – unheard of twenty years ago, but now I have some mini chocolate bars ready for the visitors on the 31st of October…
You’re right Brian. My husband Love Chunks will tell you that the best present he can get is ten family sized block of whatever his favourite flavour is at that time. Hefty, generous and without frills – perfect!
You’re a stronger woman than I, CatJB. I’ve already bought a four pack to do an article on next week, then bought a six pack and was eyeing off another four pack at Safeway today. They are sinfully seductive!
I prefer to ignore valentines day too. The only time I ever got a gift from my (then-now ex) hubby, was the year he gave his girlfriend a gift. I’m pretty sure my last-forever-fake-pink-rosebud-with-plastic-dewdrops attached,-the whole thing encased in a rigid cellophane cylinder, was a guilt gift.
Your right, and Milly (such a cutie) is a lot more important.
Your right, and Milly (such a cutie) is a lot more important.
Happy Birthday to Milly!
Oh River, that’s awful! Perhaps Valentines Day, for your ex-husband, sounds better as an acronymn – VD!
Thanks Doggy Dessert Chef – do you do any chocolate recipes that humans might like?
Thanks Margo. My daughter ‘made’ (ie carved out of dog food) Milly a cake studded with crunchy treats and a sprig of parsley. The bowl was licked clean in seconds leaving only the parsley!
Love Sapphire’s cake idea. Next time chop the parsley and mix it in as well as a piece for decoration. Parsley is great for freshening the breath, no reason it shouldn’t work for dogs too.
I agree – Valentines Day is greatly overrated.
Have you noticed though that it can be abbreviated to VD ?
The mind boggles…