1. At the time we were dating about 37 years ago, either roses or lobster would have struck me as fiscally irresponsible. For our first Valentine's day, DH recorded a cassette tape of love songs I could listen to in my car.

2. I still think it's a waste of money to buy roses for Valentine's Day when they'll be half the price or less the following week. I'd rather have a gift that has more thought put into it and I did get one this morning.

WHAT? DH is suppose to buy me something for Valentine's Day??? I've been jipped all these years.

Oh well, to the question. My preference would be the lobster dinner. I have always said "no flowers and no teddy bears"; I want something useful or consumable. Since he doesn't give me gifts I don't have to worry about receiving something that isn't appreciated. Happy Valentine's Day

I agree, the lobster then and the lobster now. Although I like cut flowers occasionally, I think roses are especially a horrible waste of money. Today's hot house roses don't even smell good and only last 4 or 5 days, so I'd rather have nearly any flower other than roses, I often buy the 99 cent bouquets of daisies at the local grocery store, I don't feel so "fiscally irresponsible" (thanks Ruthanna, that's exactly it), in spending money on something that isn't usable, consumable or even decorative for a very long period of time.

If you really want to impress me with a pot of something, get me a pot of basil for my kitchen, I love the smell.

At any rate, definitely the lobster, now and then.

Elery and I agreed that we will not buy gifts. I have a feeling he will anyway, which will make me feel badly because I didn't. And he's cooking dinner too!

Annie

Both, if we could afford it. And not just on Valentine's, maybe on our birthdays. Life is short, lavish love in whatever way you see fit. I'll even love a diamond or two, just because, later on in the year... if he wants to, and can afford it. As long as we enjoy each other all year long, consuming along the way. What else would you save up for? Live a little!

IF those were the only choices, definitely the lobster!
However, we don't do gifts and just spending time together ALL the time is far more important than caving in to the consumerism. Just doesn't work for us. To each their own, though!!

Deanna

Lime tree.

Still thorny, but very sweet.

I used to say that Valentine's Day doesn't really signify much to me. But DH worked about 80 hours in the past seven days, including yesterday from 7 am until well past midnight. I'm not sure quite how he managed, but he had a dozen roses on the table this morning when I came into the kitchen. I don't care if they last 10 hours or 10 days. I loved getting them from him.

On our first date 12-1/2 years ago, he brought me 2 dozen red roses. I married him 6 months later. (Don't tell him, I don't really even much care for red roses!)

I forgot to add. My father used to grow roses in our back yard. And he'd often cut them and present them to my mother. As the summer was coming to an end, every day there was still a decent rose, he would cut one rose and with great ceremony, present it to my mother and say, "Here you are, dear, the last rose of summer." After about the fifth or sixth or fifteenth "last rose of summer", we kids would be on the floor laughing and my mother would be rolling her eyes, but I could tell she always loved this ritual.

My father died a little over two years ago. I send my mother roses on February 13, my father's birthday, and again on her birthday.

I admit, yellow roses are my favourite flower. DH brought home a lovely bouquet of yellow flowers which included yellow roses, and I appreciated both them and the trouble he went to to find them (yellow roses aren't so popular here). I don't get flowers very often so I love it when I do get them.
I made some of his favourite cookies and a special meal and dessert. It was all good.
Getting back to the original question, to be honest, I'm not that nuts about lobster. If it was a choice of one or the other I'd prefer the roses. Hard to know what I'd pick if it was a choice between "a delicious meal" and flowers. We have so little time lately getting out for a meal is a major juggle.

spacific, Lovely story.

"last rose of summer", my favorate song.

dcarch

So what'd you pick dcarch? Or was it rhetorical?

Rob, actually I am very interested in this survey's results.

I am interested to know, given a complete non-typical sampling group, this being a cooking oriented group, what preferences/bias will be most ubiquitous.

For me, I tend to go for non-typical options just for the opportunities for creativity. I will be posting a few pictures of what I made for V.D.

I like roses, so I got some roses and I made a salad with the petals.

dcarch

I would guess the answer to be, whatever the vehicle, we love that we're thought of and the more "creatively personal" the better (albeit with roses or a well thought out meal).

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think of lobster as a romantic dinner. It's not a dainty meal. It's pretty messy to eat. I certainly don't feel very sexy when I'm cracking into one of those claws.

I love flowers, and it doesn't have to be roses. IMO, red roses are done to death. I'm happy to receive any flowers, any time. Except carnations. ;-)

We don't really celebrate VD. It's never really been a big deal to us. But, I'll admit that DH, DS, and I did cuddle on the couch and dip strawberries into melted chocolate, for a Valentine treat. That cozy memory is better than flowers or lobster.

rob, you're right, it's all so personal. I don't care about jewelry at all and I never wear any except my wedding ring. Elery says I'm the only woman he's ever met who doesn't want diamonds, I want FENCE! Oh yes, acres and acres of that beautiful white fence, LOL. Really....

Ann, Grandma used to grow roses in the backyard and she'd cut them early in the morning and put them in a vase on the table. Now whenever I see a rose, I sniff, waitin gfor that smell. It's never there with commercial roses anymore, and it's such a disappointment. So I loved your story about your Dad and the roses, and I hope your Mom gets her roses for many birthdays to come.

Annie