stupid holiday traditions

Being so sick over the weekend, I didn't empty out Sophia's backpack until this morning. Then I found the letter from Sophia's teacher, listing the names of all the little kids in the class, so that Valentine cards may be prepared for each kid. For this is how it works in elementary school: you don't give Valentine cards to the kids you "love"; no, you have to be totally equitable, and give each kid a pretty much identical Valentine out of a pre-manufactured pack. What, exactly, is the point of this? I imagine that Valentine cards are a lot less interesting now that they forbid cards with candy from school.

I had totally forgotten about this aspect of Valentine's day, so we have no cards. At this point, cards are not happening. I am still sick, and thus I am not promising to do anything from my to-do list, let alone Sophia's. Sophia is in after-school program until 5:45 today, then she has to do her homework and eat supper and go to bed, so she has no time to shop for or sign cards before tomorrow morning.

I'll put the Valentine's day cards on next year's to-do list... but, really, would I be wrecking my kid's budding social life if I blow this off entirely?