Valentine and Anti-Valentine Give-Aways

It has been pointed out to me via email by a helpful reader that I forgot to commemorate St. Valentine's Day with a give-away, a cocktail recipe, or at least a ridiculous post. Well, to tell you the truth, that's because I am not big on celebrating it. Exchanging gifts and going out to "romantic dinners" on a prescribed day feels forced to me and I prefer to just ignore the whole frilly pink business of it. But you are right: That's no reason to deprive my readers of a give-away. So, I will offer a little something both to those who observe Valentine's Day and to those who do not.

For the observers: A red hand-knitted hat. I have too much red yarn and it's a Valentine's theme after all, so it must be red. A second colour might be involved as well, but red for the most part.

For the non-observers: A black bicycle bell. No trace of red or pink what so ever; just liquid darkness over brass, and the promise of a shrill sound. Would look great on an all-black city bike.

To participate in the give-away: Simply leave a comment identifying yourself as either an observer or a non-observer of Valentine's Day. The 14th observer and the 6th non-observer will receive the appropriate items. You have until 6am of "the morning after" to post your comment. I will not publish comments until it's over, so you won't know what number you are until the end.

Comments

  1. I am an observer-- I was bummed about being newly single a few years back and proposed exchanging crafty valentines with a good platonic friend. I embroidered him a portrait of his bicycle (you can see it here: http://stampstampstamps.tumblr.com/post/213815069), he mailed me a cassette of him playing covers of love songs on his guitar. We got engaged this January!

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  2. Good idea (from an observer). On another note, I've been meaning to thank you for the inspiration of twine wrapping which led me to create this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arronhartley/5418332374/.

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  3. I'm a non-observer with a navy city bike (despite what you may see on my blog right now).

    Cheers!

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  4. observer!

    A great excuse to go out and dress up. Which nobody in Seattle does. Ever.

    I can't wait to wear my red hat on my new build:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanrray/5442882817/

    Beware I have a rather large sized noggin to go with that huge bike.

    Fun!

    - Ryan

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  5. Non-observer, going for the bell, and taking my chances with a west coast time zone!

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  6. I am not an observer. B's birthday is tomorrow ( 15th) and I find that day far more important to celebrate. But I do enjoy heart motifs so his carrot cake with cream cheese butter cream frosting often has a stencil of a heart in red sprinkles for fun. Tonight- he's at a hockey game. Nothing says love better than him enjoying hockey while I stay home and knit.

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  7. Definitely an observer. I was just reading your post about the hats you're knitting for the trading post, and am extremely saddened that I cannot think of anything to trade with you for a hat. Maybe this is my shot at one of your ski-hats with the occasional purled row?

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  8. This year I observed it with... a bell. And then I saw the Yehuda comic. Silliness indeed.

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  9. I'm an observer, but we keep it pretty low-key.
    -Dog Friendly Dallas

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  10. I'm an "observer" as I have been for the entire 45 years I've been lucky enough to be hitched to the most wonderful lady I ever met.

    Just little things to let her know that she is still THE most important person in my life. So to celebrate this Valentine's day I bought her a bright red heart shaped ballon with three words on it......I love you! When I gave it to her she giggled like a school girl with a kiss for my efforts.

    Life is good............

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  11. Non-observer. Instead, I'm celebrating the discovery of penicillin!

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  12. I'm a non-observer. The day seems so fake to me, just an excuse to spend money. Better to go biking in the woods that wait for a table at a restaurant.

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  13. I am a NON observer. Other than making the florists rich, why do we have a flower giving day in FEBRUARY? That's just nonsense! Hubby and I can have a nice dinner out on our anniversary and it is more special because it is just us.

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  14. Almost certainly too late, but non-observer here. Though that's at least partly because I am thus far always single on the day in question.

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  15. I am an observer of Valentine's day! :-)

    My observation of it is usually something simple, though.

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  16. I appreciate your alternative offer. For myself, at this moment I am a non-participant. However, out of respect for several female friends who wished me HVD, I told them I hope they have a happy day as well.

    No one wished me HVD at the City of Oceanside (CA) Bicycle Committee meeting this morning, but several of us did ride our bikes to the meeting. I was happy about that!

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  17. Observer but not on the day. This year, about 2 weeks ago my husband bought me a purse I had been desiring for over 1 year.

    And I knit him the copulating deer hat, double sided with a simple stripe public side. It was ready a week ago.

    So we try to do something and let each other know that *this* is our contribution.

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  18. I gave my lady a bicycle bell for Valentine's Day, in honor of her ringing my bell, so to speak.

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  19. a strict non-observer, although this give-away is causing me to consider switching allegiances!

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  20. While I normally sneer at Valentine's day. I'll admit I succumbed this year and got my sweetie a nice sweet. It only poked out of the bike bag a little. On the off chance I win the observer category, please pass my hat along to a deserving local blogger or frequent commenter. I fear we're past the knitted hat season down here already.

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  21. I am a non-observer of VD--and a lot of other holidays!

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  22. I've probably long-since missed out on being the 6th non-observer, but neither my wife nor I celebrate Valentines day.

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  23. sheesh.... I'm a non observer but really do enjoy your blog

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  24. I guess I'm a non-observer by circumstance rather than choice.

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  25. i hate valentines day but love bells. ding ding- love ramona
    wheelright.blogspot.com

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  26. ha! i am a lover so i observe. that being said- i am short a bell. thanks for your blog. i enjoy it a lot.

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  27. Im a lovely valentines day observer! p.s this blog has taught me and given me the confidence to build up my own steel lugged bike :) so much fun

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  28. I admit it, I love Valentines. Not so much for the grand gestures but come on who doesn't love heart shaped brownies, cookies and rice crispie squares. (Observer)

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  29. Non-observer!

    Whitney :)

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  30. I'm an observer! And however you celebrate (or don't), a happy day to you and the C.H.!

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  32. I don't actually need either prize, as I can knit, and all my bikes are well belled already. But I have to say: your hat output is impressive! You must be one fast knitter. I've been working on "Gryffindor" scarves for the kids for weeks! One down, two to go. Lots of red and yellow yarn... our self-elected "Ron" has his (and he's a seven year-old girl), but "Harry" and "Hermione" are bugging me constantly. I only wish I was as fast with scarves as you are with hats!

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  33. I'm an observer,i.e. I would love one of your hats.

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  34. Hi. I'm a dedicated non-observer but I think I'm tempted to tell a fib because the observer giveaway is more covetable and as an Australian now living in Switzerland, it would be very practical.

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  35. haha fun competition.

    I am an observer - at least, I make a card for my husband and give it to him. We don't go in much for the overly sentimental commercial stuff. I did though ask for some red roses. When we first dating I said how I really dislike men who buy red roses but otherwise behave like jerks - the red roses are just a box-ticking exercise. He's never bought me roses in a decade - sometimes I get carnations - last year I had no flowers. So this year I decided to tell him it was ok to buy red roses.

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  36. Ahh, if only you had made a category for the late riser.......

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  37. "Liquid darkness over brass"...brilliant!

    I am looking forward to reading your first novel.

    RLD

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  38. Non-observer, our anniversary falls on the same week as valentines so it seems more appropriate to observe our anniversary.

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  39. Valentine observer I am.

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  40. Speaking of silly posts, the Masked Cyclist was my favorite ever. I believe I'm an observer.

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  41. Wow, I am surprised by how many non-observers there are - I thought there'd be just a handful!

    The winners are...

    OBSERVER: Kate Burck

    NON-OBSERVER: MamaVee

    Please email me at filigreevelo-at-yahoo to make arrangements!

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  42. Late to the game here, but largely a non-observer! However, we do exchange home-made cards with the kids expressing our love to each other. But no gifts or anything bought!

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  43. I could be a non observer if I wanted to put up with a week of silence and "looks" at home. But I don't do the flowers and candy thing. A free e-card and I made dinner (which is rare), bought a bottle of wine (very rare) and desert was Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. So a nice evening together. (I got a new gym bag from her)

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  44. My wife and I go on dates pretty regularly, so we don't usually feel the need to make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. It can be an excuse to go out and do something fun, but we could also just sit at home in our pajamas, eat junk food, and watch anime. This year, it was the latter :)

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  45. Lol, I was late to the game on this, but as a non-observer I found your description of the black bicycle bell to be a hoot. :)

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