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Subscribe to RSSTODAYMoms.com and Parenting.com surveyed moms to find out how Valentine's Day changes once you have kids. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and TODAY Moms editor Rebecca Dube reveal what moms want — and what they really don't want — on this romantic holiday.
As you celebrate (or curse) Valentine's Day today, remember, it's the thought that counts.
And sometimes, the thought really stinks.
TODAY Moms teamed up with Parenting.com to survey more than 800 moms on their love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day. One of the questions we asked: What is the worst -- and best -- Valentine's Day gift you've ever received? Let's just say the bar is set pretty low when it comes to bad gifts. Here are some that TODAY Moms have actually received:
Live Poll
How's your Valentine's Day?
- A pot holder
- A pack of toilet paper
- A new iron. (I needed it, but still...)
- A day-after Valentine's gift when it was all 50 percent off
- Candy -- I have juvenile diabetes
- Nothing at all.
But romance is not dead! Moms also told us some of the best-ever gifts:
- A framed menu from the restaurant where we had our first date.
- Handmade jewelry, a necklance and matching bracelet. He even picked a heart-shaped clasp! This couldn't have been easy: My husband has REALLY BIG hands and they were really small beads!
- He gives live mini-roses so I can plant them in the flower bed. I love it, 'cause they don't die after a few days and I think of him as they bloom all summer long!
- My baby girl! Born February 14, 2011
And in the right context, even toilet paper can be a romantic gift. One mom who responded to our survey wrote:
When I was teaching in the inner city, our school was notorious for running out of necessary things like toilet paper, paper towels, pencils etc. I was always constantly buying these things for my classroom. My boyfriend at that time filled a HUGE clear plastic storage container with "expensive" toilet paper, paper towels, pencils, a super-strong pencil sharpener, lots of construction paper, glue sticks, crayons, markers, and a book for each of my students. There was so much stuff I didn't have to buy toilet paper for my class until June! This was the absolute BEST GIFT I ever received. It was beyond thoughtful and was very giving.
However you celebrate Valentine's Day, most moms agree the holiday changes after you have kids. A third of moms in our survey say it becomes less of a big deal (who has the time?), while about another third say Valentine's Day becomes more about the kids. After all, we've yet to see a Godiva chocolate box that can compete with a glue-y, glitter-strewn, misspelled hand-made card from the kids for sheer sweetness. (Though we're happy to take the chocolates, too, just to be clear!)
Check out the video for more from our Valentine's Day survey (and to find out who Giada De Laurentiis's secret V-Day crush is!). How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? Tell us in the comments!
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Leave a Comment:
Whatever you do with your kids and whatever they give you - cherish it. Be grateful. There are those of us moms who lost children and holidays are very hard. I'd give anything for a roll of toilet paper today.
I have gotten an array of Valentines gifts the best ones were from my kids because they spent so much time make it just right (even if it didn't look right), I cherish them forever and have them displayed.
As for gifts from men, my ex-husband didn't believe in romance after we were married and always said Valentines day was for amateurs. What ever!! The guy I am dating now, we have been together for nearly a year and we just moved in together. He decided to cancel Valentines because he couldn't afford it. I am financially struggling and because I couldn't help out financially, he brushed me and the celebration off. Nice hugh?? Well......leason learned
No matter what, I won't give up on Valentines day and what it stands for. Call me a hopeless romantic. :-)
I personally believe that it's not about WHAT you give, it's about HOW you give it. I mean sure, the gift has to be decent, but the presentation of the gift can take a good gift and make it a great gift. Valentine's day is about making your significant other feel (more) special (than usual). So whatever you have to give or do to do that is a good gift in itself.
Being broke is no excuse not to celebrate Valentine's day. Making dinner doesn't cost any more than it usually does, so there is always that option (for guys who don't usually cook).
I let my bf off the hook one year cause he was unemployed .... then a week later he bought himself new custom made golf clubs. And he just couldn't understand why I was upset ... priceless ;)