In fact, Valentine's Day was never mentioned in my household when I was growing up, as far as I can remember. I was aware of it but it certainly wasn't the big deal it is today.
Over the years it has become more and more popular and as a tradition it's not a bad one, I guess, unlike Halloween which is really just an excuse for kids to eat lots of sugar.
Crikey, I sound like an old grump. I'm not and I always have treats for any callers that come to our door.
What I am saying is that these traditions seem to have snuck up on us and become part of our lives. I wonder what will be next.
What will people be spending their money on in 100 years - flowers and chocolates? I hope so but, according to some, the way the planet is being treated there won't be any flowers left.
While we are on the subject of spending money, have you ever noticed how terrible some people are at buying presents? I hate to say this but I'm really talking about men here.
We have all heard horror stories of women getting an iron or a vacuum cleaner for Christmas or as a birthday gift.
Some people are naturals when it comes to present buying. They put a lot of time and thought into choosing something they know the recipient will love.
Alas, many men struggle with this. If they are clever they ask female friends or, of course, the good old secretary or PA to help them out.
One recent case I heard of really took the cake for me. Dad took 3-year-old daughter shopping with him to buy Mummy a present for her birthday.
Guess what mummy got? No, not a nice pair of earrings. No, not some body lotion (which I might add she had hinted for). Not perfume.
No, Mummy got a Pepper Pig book and a big bag of both marshmallows and chocolate fish. How lucky was she?
Well, actually, how lucky was the 3-year-old? You can just imagine it, can't you? "Yes, Daddy, Mummy will love this. I really, really want to buy this for her."
Don't think Mummy was very impressed but it did make for a great laugh.
At least she won't have to put them on Trade Me, like some people do with unwanted gifts. I really couldn't do that.
I'd be too scared the person who gave me the gift would see it. There is another way to get rid of unwanted gifts.
You could have a Goesunder party. My family have done it a couple of times and it really is a lot of fun.
You take along a Goesunder present, which is something you have been given that ends up under the bed (goes under the bed). All the presents go in a pile and you draw a number.
People pick a gift and open it in front of everyone.
The next person can either pick a gift or take one from someone who has already opened one. However, the opened gift is allowed to change hands only twice.
Be careful what you take, though. You might get in hot water if your mother unwraps a gift she gave you last year.
