Do they do that in Canada? I find the whole thing nauseating but on the other hand I don't want a 4yr getting stick for no cards on my account.

I know the US shop shelves are full of kids' valentine cards and sweets, but has this charming little marketing move by Hallmark made it across the border or not?

OMG I hadn't even thought about this! My oldest is in Kindergarten does he have to get a card/gift for somebody? How does it all work?

I'm completely clueless but judging by the frenzy in the kids' valentine section in Target the other day, it's happening in a big way on your side of the border. There were "class-sized" boxes of kids' characters, and a sweet or sticker for each card. Boys were getting excited over Batman and Shrek cards, girls were going for Hello Kitty. And I was nearly puking over them all

According to a neighbour of mine here, parents actually go into school and ask for class lists so they can make sure they send a card to everyone and they also send in candy too.

Not sure how I am going to convince my 7 and 10 year old boys that it is the "done thing" to send Valentine cards to every kid in the class though - as far as they are concerned it is a "sissy girly yukky" thing which they have no intention whatsoever of participating in!!!

So yes it has certainly made its way up over the border here!!

OMG better get my skates on to Target then by the looks of things. Don't want my little man to be the odd one out or getting a reputation for the Scottish kid being tight Lol

In KG - we didn't know the etiquette and come Valentine's Day mini-me came home with a bag-ful of little cards with candy attached.

The next year (not to be caught out) we made a "friendship" card on the computer and gave copies to everyone (we bought a bag of "kisses" chocolates and stuck one in each card.

Grade 2 came and I said - do you want to make cards "Nope". Do you want to take candy "Nope". OK.

Grade 3 - same thing...

The teachers have all emphasized to me that Valentines here is a friendship celebration but that you really don't have to take stuff in for the other kids. They do enough in the classroom to express the friendship idea during Valentine's week.

This year they are making friendship cards for each other in art class and taking board games in for an hour or so on the day itself to practice teamwork with your friends. Plus there will be goodies to eat provided by some nice mothers who bake...

Yes, our youngest has done this in elementary school from grade K up, but it wears off as they get older. She is in grade 4 now and does not seem to keen, in case the boys get the wrong idea. The rule was, you give to one, then give to all or none at all.

My teenager of course thinks it all 'sucks', but secretly I think she hopes she gets one (or more)!

As if that would ever happen

Aha, thanks all So it looks like a JK-er definitely needs a box of those things then.

My kids are in prekindergarten and grade 1.

Because the schools dont want any child to feel left out, they send out a class list before valentines day.We go to the dollar store and buy some cards and my kids print the names on each card. If they want to print more to special friends we do so.

We also bring some light refreshments for a little party at the school. Im baking cupcakes and the kids will help me decorate them.

Give your dollar store a try, they usually (at least in victoria) have good deals, and if you are like me, you dont want to spend a fortune on the cards.

OK

So I have asked an english lady at our school who has been here 6 1/2 yrs. According to her we need to send valentines to everyone in the class, everyone. The school is shut on valentines day but she says they will do it the day before.

At our 5 year olds learn to skate class yesterday they were all given a little bag of valentine goodies, a full two weeks early.

I did check, slightly tongue in cheek, that OH wasn't expected to send his boss one. He isn't. When in ROme and all that!

I would check with eithe the teacher or the school office just to confirm that that is the expectation. What may have happened last year or for the past number of years, may have changed for this year. For example, my kids schools never had a party before this year....

at my sons old school back in Kelowna they celebrated...he would bring a little folder home with all sorts of valentine goodies in it. as for him he refused to be involved...LOL

this year i have no idea what will happen as it is his first valentines in his new school..but then again..the school has been great..sending notes home etc..to lets us know if anything is happening regarding any celebrations.

lots of fun for the girls i suspect...

I think if you are expected to do it, you will get a class list. Mine are in kindergarten and pre-K and they have a class list and they are dressing up (but they are dressing up in something different every day that week for Catholic School Week).
We got boxes of cards (about $3 for 25 or so, including a poster and a teacher's card in hot wheels and barbie design) and bags of Heshey valentines kisses for $2.49 for a huge bag at shoppers drug mart.
Our school seems to do the same for halloween and so does daycare where everyone hands out candy. Christmas too to a lesser extent, although we did that in England too

Susan

My Grade 2's teacher said to send to all, or none !!

My two won't be there anyway, so we miss out on this phenomenon