Valentine's Day, Less Crap Style

So Friday we celebrated Valentine's Day (a little late, because Dr. Z was sick earlier in the week), and we actually kept the gift-giving to a real minimum (with room to improve even more for next year - more on that later!).

So, first I sent him a cute card to his office. I always think it's more fun to receive cards and such in the mail,  so that's how I always do it. I also bought him this tech shirt - I was thinking for camping (you know, mountain goat and all), but he says it's too nice and he's afraid of ruining it, LOL!  He loves mountain goats and blue so I just had to get it for him.

Now here's where it gets interesting. When I mention that I'm worried about his gift getting here in time (it was delayed due to the winter storms south of us), he suddenly looks guilty and says, "Uh...I got you a card."

Now, in all fairness we usually do exchange gifts, which is why I bought one in the first place. However, it got the wheels turning. First of all, he spent more on the amazing dinner he took me out to on Friday - an experience worth more than more crap. So now I'm thinking, why not buy him an EXPERIENCE next year?

Also interesting, he admitted that he had no idea what to get me. I then told him the truth - that a couple great gifts would be hiring someone to bring the super-heavy sleeper sofa up from the basement and takieawaythe broken-down one we currently have in the living room or finally taking our old CRT television (also gathering dust in the basement) to the dump for me. Yes, gifts of taking stuff AWAY.

So, it was quite an epiphany. However, I am afraid that I did bring in some Valentine's materialistic crap: How could I say no to half-price candy the day after? After all, it's the best part of the holiday!