The V-Day Scrooge
One Valentine’s day years ago, a beautiful basket of peach roses was delivered to a female employee where my husband works. Unfortunately, female co-worker did not appreciate her suitor’s gesture, as she could not reciprocate his love for her.
She decided she would give them away, and offered the flowers to my husband. Would he like to give the roses to me? But my husband refused, I was not big on flowers.
Female officemate said he could tell me it was from her.
I cannot forget what he told me was his response, “Ayoko nga. Hindi maniniwala yon na ang ganda niyan, pinamigay mo lang. Magagalit pa yon kasi mukhang mahal, tatanungin ako nun kung magkano yan. Mag-aaway lang kami.”
Except for the mag-aaway part, yeah, he was right.
Early in our relationship I have already told him that I am really not appreciative of flowers, most especially on Valentine’s Day. I know the prices are too much, they wilt soon after, thus very impractical.
Well, that’s just me.
Furthermore, I have never and probably will never make special plans on the day of hearts. I make it a point to avoid going out on V-Day actually, because the traffic will be horrendous and perhaps even Burger Machine kiosks will be full.
I do remember a young couple who hopped from Antipolo to Quezon City to Manila, but it was extremely difficult to get a table in all restaurants. Famished, they settled for Burger Machine. Their consolation was that the whole thing was actually romantic.
But me, no thanks to looking for a restaurant, nor reserving in advance for a meal that seems a little too pricey. You can’t make me.
The biggest plans that I have made is to make sure that my pantry is full prior to the 14th, so there would be no need to go to the supermarket. And I’ll cook one of my husband’s favorites for dinner. That’s it.
Hubby, though, cannot resist getting into the Valentine brouhaha sometimes. Last year, he bought me a box of my favorite chocolates.
I was tickled pink, but as soon as the thanks was over, I just had to ask how much was it. Was it more expensive than usual, because if it was I would … It was?? Well, next time he should go to stores that don’t take advantage of romantic people. But the chocolates were mm…good.
Anyway, his female officemate eventually brought home the flowers. But of course, andyan na e, sayang naman.
Valentine » Blog Archive » The V-Day Scrooge:
[...] Kristi Gustafson - style fashion dating blog - On the Edge - timesunion.com — Albany NY wrote an interesting post today on The V-Day ScroogeHere’s a quick excerptOne Valentine’s day years ago, a beautiful basket of peach roses was delivered to a female employee where my husband works. Unfortunately, [...]
12 February 2008, 9:56 pmjho:
Tama din lang naman ginawa ni R sa pagtangi sa ibinigibay na roses.
I remember one valentines day when we were in HS, bumili tayo ng rose then nagpalitan lang tayo nang binili natin na rose. It puts a smile on my face.
LC: uy talaga? i don’t remember na, hehehe,but thanks for telling me. sweet nga tayo non
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12 February 2008, 10:16 pmmitch:
I share your thoughts on that. I avoid public areas on Valentine’s day, too. In fact, I hate going out! Imbes na maging romantic, it’s such a hassle just to manage the crowds and the traffic. Sa bahay na lang ako with a good romantic comedy.
LC: curling up on the sofa watching a good movie - we do that too. medyo action and suspense nga lang choice namin, hehehe!
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13 February 2008, 1:49 amfeng:
hahaha, there you are Cess, the frugal and economical homemaker that you are.
LC: also known as kuripot, hahaha!
me, I don’t like going with the flow of the V-day fever too. but it definitely feels good receiving something on the so-called “lovers” day or going out on a date. I think it’s the hopeless romantic in me that kicks in whenever V-day arrives. heehee. though like you, ayoko rin sumabay pag V-day itself, para kasing napaka corny, at tama ka, sooobrang crowded ng mga restos.
natawa naman ako dun sa attitude ng female officemate towards the flowers. kung sabagay, kung di mo naman talaga feel yung guy courting you, kahit pa isang flower shop ibigay nya, no-no pa rin ang arrive sa yo.
but then again, it’s V-day, so Ok na rin, sayang naman yung flowers.
LC: oo nga e, naawa nga ako sa suitor kahit hindi ko naman kilala. walang kamalay-malay na hindi nagustuhan ang gesture niya, wc was actually very sweet. pero ganon talaga, hindi mapipilit ang ayaw
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13 February 2008, 4:32 amraqgold:
hahaha, super practical ka naman pala
minsan just enjoy it na lang. my husband naman is too kuripot for himself pero kapag sa amin na, hay naku, sobrang gastos which is sometimes too impractical na rin. anyway, happy valentine’s day!
LC: ang sweet naman ni hubby mo, goes to show how much he loves you, kailangan nga lang pigilan before he gets impractical, hehehe
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13 February 2008, 4:52 amBambi:
i remember when i was a kid (up until HS i think) i’d buy a rose weeks in advance and give it to my mom as my advanced Vday gift for her (^_^) hehehe … and i would tell her it’s because it’s so expensive to buy roses on the day of.
LC: wow, you’re a very sweet daughter
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13 February 2008, 10:39 ammanilenya:
bigla ko naalala yung isang classmate ko nung college, every morning sa klase me hawak syang red na rose, we thought na mayroong special someone na sobrang sweet at araw araw binibigyan sya ng rose, nung naging close kami…as in lagi na kami magkakasama ask namin sya about the rose..ang sagot nya “binibili ko….masama ba na bigyan ko ng bulaklak ang sarili ko?”
nito ko lang nalaman na masyado palang sikat ang Valentines day parang fiesta..ay hindi pasko pala kasi all over the place ang celebration e. Dati kasi tambay lang ako sa kalsada namin lol!! e nung nagwork ako ..grabehhh ang lansangan kapag VDAY para ngang fiesta lol!
LC: hmm… parang narinig ko na yang kwento na yan, friend of a friend.. di kaya you and my friend are referring to one person?
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13 February 2008, 10:57 amTappy:
This is a story that’s all too familiar. I used to hate Valentine’s day because it was just so commercialized.
But now, I realize that I can have a good Valentine’s day right at home :). The way you’re celebrating it with you hubby is one of the most romantic ways, I think.
Pinaghirapan mo pang lutuin ang dinner niyo, now that is something.
Happy Valentine’s day
LC: “binola” ako ng mister ko, araw araw naman daw akong nagluluto ng masarap so everyday is vday.. naks!
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13 February 2008, 12:41 pmtikey:
I remember nung makarecieve ako ng flowers from valentines day binigay ko agad sa erpat ko at tinago sa ref ng office, kc by Feb 16 anniv nila ni Mama ko.. heheh! edi nakatipid haha!
LC: hahaha! talagang gamit na gamit ang bulaklak diba, sulit!
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13 February 2008, 12:53 pmKongkong622:
Baliktad naman tayo. Ako naman I love the whole brouhaha of Valentines
Pero kuripot ako so I try to get the most bang out of my buck in coming up with a nice Valentines gift for my swithart. Ok na kasi kahit homemade card lang atsaka mga chocolates. Personally, I want flowers but since they’re so expensive on Valentines, I ask him to shelve it muna until after the celebration. Buti na din kasi eventually nakakalimutan ko na…engs ba
Anyway, Happy Valentines Day!!
LC: homemade card - now that’s sweet! patingin naman ng sample!
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13 February 2008, 3:59 pmRowena:
Hi Cess, kuripot ka pala ha….he he. Buti ka pa me chocolates, saken, 1st and last time nabigyan ako roses with chocolates for v-day nung preggy pako ke Nicole, ten years ago…O di ba, kainis naman nun (di romantic/showy si hubs ko eh)…Kaya ikaw, accept na kung anu dala ni hubby tom….share mo saken, hi hi hi….Happy Valentine…
LC: you’re right, thankful pa rin naman ako. hindi ko na mashe-share, tinatanggal ko pa lang ang balot nakapila na ang mga anak ko
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13 February 2008, 4:13 pmwatson:
Oo nga Cess… masyado nang commercialized ang Valentine’s. Hindi ko na bibigyan ng flowers ang misis ko. hehehe!
LC: ay wag! baka magalit si mrs. watson ako ang balikan, nyahahaha!
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13 February 2008, 6:35 pmwendy:
I love flowers… chocolates? not much… *smile*
Unforegettable V-Day ko… I was in high school. Kasi dami kong na-received na flowers (ganda ng lola mo) But now… aba aba aba… expensive na yata masyado ang mga bulaklak at wala akong nare-receive… hayyy…
Happy Heart’s Day Mommy Cess!
LC: hahaha! oo nga, mas masaya kung dinner na lang.
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13 February 2008, 7:46 pmjulie:
Re pantry full, on our way home kanina, hubby dropped me at Cherry while he went to get something in their house ( half a bag of crispy, fatty chicharon from Bohol) and I bought what can be cooked as a good Valentine dinner for the family. Our post V-Day would be spent with an adopted family on Friday as part of the homeschool provider’s activities for us. Buti na lang sa Proj8 lang, di na kami lalayo
Happy Hearts Day, Cess.
LC; wow naman, now that is meaningful.
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14 February 2008, 2:37 amGen:
hello! happy valentines day po, blog hopping in here:). Take care always and God Bless!
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14 February 2008, 11:07 amGerlweyh:
I love flowers makes me feel special and for me it is meaningful haha
LC: ah yes. and romantic too!
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14 February 2008, 11:08 amBlogweb:
Hello, one time my husband gave me money and also flowers and makes me feel touched the flowers than money. lol
LC: hahaha! now that is a great gift too!
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14 February 2008, 11:08 ammalaya:
Everyday can be Valentine’s Day, hindi lang dapat tuwing Feb. 14, ‘di ba, Mmy Cess? Tsaka sa panahon ngayon dapat maging praktikal, hehehe.
LC: korek!
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14 February 2008, 2:52 pmmarj:
I’m not into celebrating Valentines too much as well but I always enjoy it when hubby remembers. As to the gft giving, whenever I give hubby a gift and he says thanks followed by how much is it, it always makes me sad. Sometimes a simple excited thank you is all that I want to hear, maybe tomorrow he can ask the price. It kind of takes away kas from the pleasure of the gft giver when someone asks how much the gift costs whether it’s an expensive or a cheap gift. Just my take on it.
LC: hehehe, that’s me, the v-day scrooge
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15 February 2008, 11:19 amdelish:
I used to be like that… didn’t like flowers and preferred food instead
but am now okay with receiving them from time to time… and although I also wouldn’t brave traffic and long lines and crowds to celebrate Valentines, I do like celebrating anything 
unfortunately, I have to recover still from my pregnancy and birth which seemed to have taken a lot of the fun out of me…
LC: next year, i’m sure you’ll be game
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15 February 2008, 12:02 pmRach (Heart of Rachel):
When my hubby and I were still boyfriend and girlfriend , we usually celebrated Valentine’s Day before or after the 14th. Di rin kami nakikisabay sa dami ng tao.
This year, Yohan seemed very excited about Valentine’s Day so we had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
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16 February 2008, 12:55 amnona:
I agree with you, kami rin ni hub…walang vale-valentines day, kahit naman nasa bahay lang…everyday pwedeng maging araw ng puso as long as andoon yung mainit pa ring love
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16 February 2008, 11:41 amMommyBa:
It’s been a while since I celebrated Valentine’s day and I have always worn black on that day as a personal “tradition.” You surely had an interesting one. Buti naman at inuwi rin ni girl yung roses.
V-Day is overrated and expensive kasi everything can be like that until naman talaga.
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17 February 2008, 7:54 amHappyMum:
i havent dated on vday eversince
this year we just had take away… cook’s day off.
belated happy vday pala!
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17 February 2008, 11:51 amannamanila:
A lady who’s not big on flowers! You’re one pracical sensible lass, Cess. Any other would just swoon and sigh and think romantic stuff.
Looks belie!
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21 February 2008, 3:19 pmlazarus:
teka, cess, accountant ka ba? it just reminded me of my CPA colleagues and ex-colleagues.because most accountants think mostly of the cost of everything, even the cost of loving. he he he.
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21 February 2008, 9:54 pmnoemi:
Butch and I never had a date on valentine’s day. We just date on any random day. Like I wrote, Valentine’s Day is every day.
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24 February 2008, 4:43 pm