When Did Valentine's Day Become so Underwhelming?

What is with Valentine's Day these days?

People are becoming completely milquetoast about the whole thing.

I get it. I'm not a big Valentine's Day person. My husband buys me flowers, not roses, every year. And I love them. People, I will take flowers when I can get them. We don't go out. I might make a nice dinner. That's about it.

But when it comes to the KIDS... they get excited about GROUNDHOG DAY so I figure Valentine's, we can make a little more of an effort, right?

I'm not talking about the STUFF. Kids get too much stuff with their valentines. Pencils, erasers, stickers, candy, lollipops, tattoos, rulers, games, stuffed animals, cash, a new puppy...it's getting a little out of hand. Buying Valentine's cards with the class sizes these days is completely understandable, but please...leave the stuff behind.

Here's what I find underwhelming... and it makes me a little sad:

Kids can no longer write the names of their Valentine on the card. I'm okay with everyone in the class getting a Valentine. I don't want my kid coming home in tears because no one gave them one. I'm all for it. But can we at the VERY least not address each Valentine? My children have to sit and write their name out 25-30 times each...yet they don't get to choose who gets which one? LAME.

Where is the spirit of the day? Why don't we take the time anymore? All I'm asking for is a class list so my kids can choose which kid gets which Avenger. And MAYBE which little girl gets the one Valentine that says: "Will you be my Valentine?" instead of "HULK SMASH."

My kids come home with a bag full of junk, tons of valentines cards from people they don't know very well-oh-and a Valentine from THEMSELVES. Because they just drop one in every bag in the class.

I am not teacher bashing. At all. Teachers have a lot to do and not much time to do it. Plus they are covered in too many children from day one. It's overwhelming. But does that mean every occasion has to be underwhelming?

I'm just wishing for a simpler time when my kids would come home and really cherish the Valentines they got from school. The blushing cheeks of a little crush. That's all. It just seems so impersonal-and is that not the opposite of what the day is supposed to mean? Aren't we supposed to be promoting love on a day like this? I'm glad all kids go home with a warm and fuzzy feeling, I just think the excitement is gone.