So much merchandise!

[Gemini]

Have you noticed, now that Christmas is well and truly behind us, and even the sale stuff they couldn't sell has gone from the shelves, other things have taken over?
Lots and lots of Valentine's Day stuff, plus hot cross buns, Easter eggs and decorations. I haven't notice anything about Mothers Day yet, I think they wait until after Valentines Day to bombard us with that!

[Daisy]

Gem - Yes, I've noticed, too. I was trying to find a nice baby card the other day, and all the Special Occasion cards were reduced to a tiny bit of shelf space, and there were Valentine's Day cards everywhere. In the end I went to the Garden Centre and they had a more sensible allocation of space, but the lovely Age card I wanted for DIL1 had plenty for 20, 30, 40, 60, etc, etc - but no 50s which is what I wanted!!! I found a funny one for her in the end - I hope she sees the joke!!!

I also found a nice range of humorous cards and got one for my GS2, who's 13. It's long been my complaint that cards for boys once they're past the toddler stage are awful! It's ok if they're into sport, but at 13 he's too old to appreciate a teddy in a cowboy outfit on his card, no matter how much folding paper there is inside!!! GS2 is always telling jokes and this range had funny, non-rude ones.

It makes me a bit sad when I see all the 'stuff' on sale like that - most of it is plastic tat, and I wonder how much ends up in landfill. But then, I'm a grumpy old woman!

[Gemini]

I had the same experience yesterday Daisy.
I wanted a Bon Voyage card for young friends who are setting off again ,and anew baby card for the imminent arrival in OH's family. I managed to find a nice one for each, but there wasn't a lot of choice as the card shop was a sea of red with Valentines cards!!
I agree, so much plastic that probably no one over be age of 15 even wants.

[Oma]

I agree with cards for Boys and Men , the choice is shocking ,
Its either sport or Racing cars no good if they not into either and even if they are the cards are Naff , I tend to buy Funny or very plain for them or go on Moonpig and make my own up .

As for all the other stuff Easter cards and Eggs were in the shops before Christmas was over its stupidity , and Valentines is a con ,I don't need a certain day to tell B I love him , anyway I had my DS on Valentines day 37 years ago and it was a day of pure torture

[Daisy]

Oma - I hope DS has made himself more popular with you over the last 37 years!

I can see we'll have to start an offshoot of GRU designing man- and boy-cards!

I suppose people must buy all that tat or they wouldn't stock it year after year.

[Gemini]

Good idea about the man and boy cards Daisy!
When we find time we will set it up as a side line

None of the men in our family are into sports. SIL2 is car crazy, but there are only so many cards with cars on that you wish to receive!
I often send them general cards with animals, nice scenic views, or things like birthday cakes, or just a colourful HAPPY BIRTHDAY! wording on the front. This is fine until you want something specific like, Father/Son/Husband etc.
My lovely dad was into cricket, both watching and playing, so I often chose him cricket scenes, or gardening ones

[ZIZI]

I made Ben’s birthday card myself this year, no last year, using Microsoft publisher and good quality paper because his birthday is end November and it was all Christmas stuff and I couldn’t find a half decent birthday one for him anywhere not even in the posh shops in St Pancras Station which is where I (used to) go often as that is where several of my sites were.

[Nanto2girls]

I saw Easter eggs for sale before Christmas.
We don't buy each other a Valentines card.Valentine cards were supposed to be sent from a secret admirer.
That tradition seems to have gone now.
I have heard women say, if there husband doesn't get them a Valentine card or gift, they will be in trouble.
I have the job now,of getting all birthday cards for Mam. Looked yesterday for one for a man.
Fortunatley he is a keen gardener, and managed to get a suitable one.

[ZIZI]

I must admit we do always do cards but even as ex florists if he sends me flowers (and it wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t) it would never be red flowers, usually one colour hand tied tulips which I love. Everything red goes up hugely in price at the market for VD hence why they go up for retail customers, some larger places buy early and cold store them which means that although they look nice at the time of purchase they will go over quicker than non cold stored flowers. Same with MD, anything white especially lilies and spring flowers go up in price.

We tell each “I love you” all the time (except this morning when he was a grumpy guts)

[Daisy]

Zizi - I love flowers! On Friday I bought several £1 bunches of daffs (they're so cheerful at this miserable time of the year, and such good value, I think) and a bunch of Alstroemerias, which last well in a vase. I'd much rather have something like those than a bunch of hothouse red roses with no perfume to them. I put one small vase in the cloakroom, and their perfume is lovely. The other is on the kitchen table, and the Alstroemerias are in the hall. Ideally I like flowers in season, but at this time of the year, that's not so easy.

[Glammanana]

We went browsing yesterday at "The Range" and where met by a sea of valentines cards when entering and since when has it become a thing to decorate your house for valentines day to such a degree ??
Hubby is never short of "love you lots" compliments most days and doesn't bother with a card on the day,I don't mind one bit but I always send a cheap and cheerful one to my DCs and DGCs daft I know but I love to do it every year.
OH buys fresh flowers every fortnight always white chrisanthamums (sp) they always last the 2 weeks without fail,I only like white flowers really with the exception of fushia's.

[Glammanana]

Just continuing about the trip to "The Range" yesterday what I did go to look for was an outdoor large branched lite tree for next Xmas to be placed in front garden,you know the all white ones with the branches covered in white lights before the sales they where £99.00 and I really wanted one but couldn't justify the price and decided to wait for the sales surprised to say they have not been reduced in the sale along with quite a few xmas items only reduced by one or two pounds this really surprised me there was a lot of stock all festive themed which any manager would love to convert into till takings for such a slow month as January (does that make sense).

[Oma]

Glamm we noticed in our Range last week , loads of Christmas stuff left almost no reductions , even the baubles at the most were reduced by only 10p , shelves were full , wouldn't you think they would be half price by now

[Qwerty]

I buy flowers every other week usually either pink or white lilies , OH usually says did I buy you them !!
Gem I love those lit trees but I suppose they will be put back in the warehouse at Range and sell again next Christmas, I have never thought about sending my loved ones ie children Valentine cards I think it’s a lovely thing to do ❤️

[ZIZI]

Daisy I always have flowers in my place what I meant was that I wasn’t be bothered if he didn’t buy me flowers on Valentines Day. I don’t think we have Range around here, I cannot remember seeing one even in Richmond (Surrey).

I saw Easter Eggs in Tesco on Boxing Day when we popped in on the way home from the hotel. I remember just stopping in my tracks and shaking my head and another woman walking past me smiled at me and said “ridiculous isn’t it”.