Is it cute or creepy to give my teen a Valentine’s Day gift?

"There's a huge reason why he needs to know love now more than ever."

So, we need to talk about Valentine's Day… and whether I’m making it weird for my teenage son.

I'm beginning to wonder if giving him a gift is cute or creepy? Because that's what I've done every year... and there's an important reason why I don't think I can stop.

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I'm (sort of) debating with myself whether it's cute or creepy for my teen. Source: Supplied.

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"Love is love"

I actually never cared about VD until I had a baby.

What’s that, you say? You celebrated Valentine’s Day with… your own baby? 

Yeah, because I finally found a love I could never live without (and no, I didn't value my husband that much).

To me, VD evolved into something more than celebrating heterosexual romance. I had a baby, Winston, the love of my life... my whole world.

I then could see how VD could represent a day of all types of love - between grandies and grandkids, single gals celebrating together, same-sex couples. 

Why should other types of love be excluded from a day of celebrating what matters most in life?

And so, I began the tradition of celebrating the day with my kid in some way. And yes, that means spoiling him with trinkets and toys.

"I could blame Peter Alexander"

Full confession: I'm a sucker for the commercialisation of completely fictitious and unnecessary occasions. Especially when it involves a new product range.

I mean, how could go into Peter Alexander and not by my beautiful son a heap of cute things he doesn't need with hearts on it?

The day of course meant so much more... until it stopped meaning anything to him. He worked out that VD was originally about romantic love, and as a tween... it was weird.

It didn't make me stop, though. I mean, it's literally my job to love this kid.

Love is love. Source: Supplied

VD suddenly means a whole lot more

This year, I've decided to make a big gesture again. In fact, it's more important than ever that I do.

My kid came out a few years ago and I have a point to make on Valentine's Day.

I need to take every opportunity to show him just how much he is loved, just how much of a special, incredible young man he is to me. That my love is 100% unconditional.

And that he's more than worthy of love in any relationship he has - starting with me.

This article was originally published in February 2021 and was updated in February 2025.

Originally published as Is it cute or creepy to give my teen a Valentine’s Day gift?