I am investigating the social practices surrounding Valentine’s Day and analyzing them in terms of the theories of Mauss' "The Gift." Anthropologists believe that gifts are a means of expressing and producing social relationships, but the dynamics of gift giving are never straightforward…indeed, many question whether a ‘pure’ uncalculated gift is even possible. And yet, in American culture, we believe that love is a sentiment that produces true expressions of generosity. My job is to explore how rituals, gift-giving, and consumer behavior surrounding Valentine’s Day structure romantic relationships and to what extent Mauss’ theory of reciprocity applies to gifts that are meant to express affection.
I am looking for people to interview about their experiences, gifts and other favors exchanged. So...please tell me about your Valentine's Day this year! How was it? What gifts were given and recieved? Anything else significant?
Thank you in advance for all of your help!!
2007-03-01 22:57:47 · 12 answers · asked by malysah 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Valentine's Day
One more thing... tell me what gift(s) you gave in addition to what you recieved!
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped! I truly appreciate it!
2007-03-01 23:14:22 · update #1
Oh & tell me about yourself... age, sex, demographics...whatever...anything you think is important for me to know about you! :)
2007-03-01 23:17:30 · update #2
HEY MILO!
I will choose you as best answer if you answer these questions for me:
1. What did your girlfriend get for you?
2. How old are you? How old is your girlfriend?
3. How long have you been dating?
2007-03-01 23:49:24 · update #3
ALISA:
I will choose you as best answer, if you tell me:
What, if anything, did you get for your significant other?
Thanks!
2007-03-01 23:51:06 · update #4
I gave my girlfrend a box of dark chocs and 64roses.chocs are sweet,so they symbolise how sweet the giver is to the receiver.as darker chocs are sweeetest,it shows how deep the love is.roses exclude a sensual,loving sweet aroma.the reason why roses are so popular is because in certain religons,roses are created for love.reasearch has proven roses do enchance the relationship between a couple.i hope this helps.now,my girl and i love each other even more.
2007-03-01 23:07:45 · answer #1 · answered by MiloWonder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a 57 year old woman, dating a 56 year old man. He brought me a heart shaped box of candy, and I gave him a handmade card. It was only our second date.
I made dinner- lazagna, and he prepared a salad.
We ate by candlelight, holding hands.
We watched a romantic movie, and made some great romance. We had a kiss that lasted over 10 minutes, the best one I ever had. The kissing went on and on. He didn't try to rush me, but he certainly won my heart. We are now dating exclusively and happily. He is very open and honest with me, as I am with him.
So I say the best gift from that night wasn't the box of chocolates, but the bond we formed by opening ourselves up to each other, while sharing those kisses, our emotions, and our true selves.
2007-03-03 19:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by diannegoodwin@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband got me an autographed copy of a certain book. He travels sometimes for business, and I am a librarian, so he had opportunity on a recent trip to find this book at a place where the author was also signing autographs. It was very sentimental to me, because I knew he took the effor to find something I would love, and also because I knew he had planned ahead instead of dashing out last minute!
He has a favorite home-cooked meal and dessert that he loves, because he is so often eating away from home, so I made him a nice meal, which to him I believe was also a rare treat.
2007-03-02 16:01:54 · answer #3 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, throughout the week before, my boyfriend and i argued everyday and considering splitting up. I asked him on valentines to write me a card saying sorry for cheating on me - and that that would be my present. Come valentines day, he gave me a small teddy, a red rose and a card saying the one line "i know everything is messed up" and dat he loved me. That was the pathetic apology. We went to the cinema, and he told me i was dressed like a slag - which i wasnt (jeans a nd a black top showing hardly any cleavage). We argued again before the movie then went home. WORST VALENTINES EVER. Oh and by the way, just in case you are wondering, i am still with him (it was our 16month anniversary on valentines day too)
2007-03-02 07:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by *Seksi Aleski* 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had planned dinner and a movie. But ended up at our daughter-in-laws house reloading WindowsXP after her computer crashed. My son was working in Japan and would be gone for a couple more weeks and the computer was how they kept in touch. It wasn't bad, though, don't get me wrong. We talked with her and played with our grandson. Went to dinner the next night, never did make the movie.
2007-03-02 08:26:44 · answer #5 · answered by sparkletina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my valentines day was great! first i had to work late which did suck so i didn't get home until 8:30 p.m. but her understood like always. he knew this before hand though so he prepared for it. so on the Sunday before we were having coffee and breakfast and he casually sat up on the couch and said i know u gotta work late but i thought i would give you, your gift early so the gifts i got were a blue tooth for my phone and a palm pilot.the funny thing is they were hiding in the living room right in front of me for weeks. lol then he was acting funny he kept asking me to go through the palm pilot and check it out so i did and found a message in it that he wrote that said "your man loves you" it was great! i loved that message. then i took him to port Huron for dinner and bought him a 300 CD,DVD changer. it was great.
2007-03-02 23:39:30 · answer #6 · answered by sexey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't have a valentine, but I did buy some things for my friends. I gave them some candy and a small teddy bear. They were so cute!! I like shopping for my friends, it make me happy to see them smile. I also got candy from several friends and coworkers. I live in TX in a small town. Good luck on your paper.
2007-03-02 09:12:56 · answer #7 · answered by bucstxgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello!
I received a box of Rose buds .
With a Bottle of Champagne and chocolates.
Totally unexpected !
Daughters were in on the plan of how to deceive me .
Must admit I enjoyed the whole thing!
The element of surprise.
Take care!
2007-03-02 07:04:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me and my sisters passed out Valentines to friends but i have no BF or anything it was okay no big thing or anything!
2007-03-02 14:28:30 · answer #9 · answered by amber 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i didn't have a valentine this year so i didn't give anything :( but i got flowers chocolates stuffed animals and cards!! valentines day makes me so happy
2007-03-02 08:27:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋