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“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
~William Shakespeare.
VALENTINE’S DAY is an annual holiday celebrated on FEBRUARY 14TH worldwide. The holiday, also called Feast of Saint Valentine or Saint Valentine’s Day, allows people to celebrate friendship, show admiration, express romantic love, and appreciate each other.
People, both young and old, celebrate Valentine’s Day by sending messages of love and affection to their partners, friends, and family. They also share treats and romantic dinners, send flowers and cards to one another, and spend quality time together to honor love.
What’s the Story Behind Valentine’s Day?
When you think of Valentine’s Day, you probably envision red roses, sentimental cards, flower bouquets, sweet and chocolate treats, and heart-shaped balloons. You are right! But have you ever thought about where the tradition began? The truth is Valentine’s Day celebrations Day dates back to ancient Rome.
The original story of Valentine’s Day is a bit more mysterious and lacks the babbly feel experienced in the contemporary iteration of the holiday. Historians cannot locate the origin of the holiday but believe that it could have stemmed from the ancient festival of Lupercalia, which predated Christianity. Lupercalia was held in mid-February to celebrate love and fertility rites, including pairing women with men by lottery.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe, with couples exchanging gifts, cards, and beautiful messages to express their love and appreciation for each other. People share the most common gifts during Valentine’s Day, including chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and sentimental cards.
Notably, the holiday has become increasingly mainstream today. Yet, despite the sometimes feeling of commercialization, Valentine’s Day remains a special time for couples and loved ones to celebrate their love and strengthen their relationships.
15 Quick Facts about Valentine’s Day
- Valentine’s Day 2023 falls on Monday, February 14th.
- Valentine’s Day is a 14.7 billion dollar industry in the United States.
- Women purchase 85% of Valentine’s Day cards
- Men buy about 73% of Valentine’s Day flowers.
- Thousands of people send letters to Juliet (from Romeo and Juliet movies) every year.
- Teachers receive the most gifts during valentines, followed by kids, mothers, and wives.
- The oldest known Valentine’s Day letter is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife. He wrote the poem while in the Tower of London prison.
- The largest Valentine’s Day event occurs in Verona, Italy, where tourists flock to see the balcony where Romeo and Juliet had their famous conversation.
- Men primarily receive cards, watches, cufflinks, and ties as Valentine’s gifts, while women receive cards, flowers, jewelry, and handbags.
- In Japan, it is the women who gift men on Valentine’s Day. They commonly gift them fine chocolate, known as honmei-choco. However, men usually return the favor on White Day on March 14th, one month after Valentine’s Day.
- Valentine’s Day in Finland is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates to “Friends day.”
- Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday in most countries. But it is primarily recognized and celebrated.
- Valentine’s Day is the busiest Day of the year for florists.
- About 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day every year.
- Americans essentially celebrate and show love to their pets during Valentine’s Day.
15 Valentine’s Day Quotes for your Family
- “Knock, Knock! It’s Valentine’s o’clock! You’re my favorite person and rock!” –Unknown*.
- “To me, Valentine’s Day is not merely limited to a lover but speaks of universal love.” –Dimple Kapadia.
- “A mother understands what a child does not say.” — Jewish Proverb.
- “They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.” – Bil Keane.
- “Sweet treats on Valentine’s Day help us remember to be sweet to each. And you’re one of the sweetest kids ever!” — Unknown*.
- “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” — Honore de Balzac.
- “Love is a lot like a backache, it doesn’t show up on x-rays, but you know it’s there.” – George Burns.
- “A man loves his sweetheart the most; his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” –Irish Proverb.
- “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller.
- “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” — Charles Schulz.
- “Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” — Lucille Ball.
- “Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold.” — Zelda Fitzgerald
- “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.” — Katharine Hepburn.
- “Love is an endless act of forgiveness.” — Beyoncé
- “Love is not only something you feel, but it is also something you do.” — David Wilkerson
Importance of Valentine’s Day Celebration
1. Valentine’s Day Offers Perfect Opportunity to Celebrate Love
Valentine’s Day may not add much to a healthy, strong partnership. The partners are likely already showing love and appreciation, communicating effectively, and caring for each other’s needs. In such relationships, Valentine’s Day may not give them much pressure.
However, while couples may be having a good relationship, life’s hustle and bustles can deny them the opportunity to connect and celebrate each other. Valentine’s Day provides the couple opportunity to celebrate each other and connect more.
2. Valentine’s Day Can Strengthen Relationship
We cannot deny the joy of receiving flowers, candy and chocolate treats, and Valentine’s Day cards, among other presents, on Valentine’s Day. However, the real benefit of valentines goes beyond gifts; it is spending quality time with your loved ones. Spending time together is vital to achieving a satisfying, healthy relationship.
3. The Holiday Builds Assurance
One of the surest ways to strengthen a relationship is but showing appreciation. Your partner can always use an extra thoughtful gift that shows them you appreciate them. Let your partner know you appreciate their love and support, and watch your relationship strengthen.
You should not assume your partner knows how much you love and value them. On the contrary, relationships grow when couples openly communicate their gratitude for each other.
4. It is a Good time to Celebrate Your Milestone
Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate your successes in a relationship. Discuss things you have accomplished as a couple and what obstacles you have overcome, and mark them. Of course, it is okay to celebrate your milestone since a healthy relationship takes a lot of work. However, observing the growth in your relationship improves your link and boosts your happiness.
5. Celebrating Valentine’s Day is a Sign of Investment in the Relationship
We all want to be loved. We also wish our loved ones to invest in us just like we invest in them. This is especially important when the relationship is new, and the partners are learning to communicate. Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to show your partner how serious you are about your love and connection. Taking time to plan something beautiful for your partner shows commitment and dedication.
6. A Happy Relationship Reduces Stress
The best part about Valentine’s Day is that you spend time with people that love and appreciate you. Such moments can boost happiness, especially when you experience stressful times in school or your job. According to research, being in a healthy relationship is therapeutic. A good relationship can also reduce cortisol (a stress hormone) production. Less stress is associated with better health, both mental and physical.
7. Strong Social Ties Can Prolong Life
Did you know solid social ties can improve your lifespan? This is not just applicable to romantic relationships; good relationships with family and friends have numerous benefits too to our overall health. Based on research, happy couples experience lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, another other health issues. While so many factors determine how long one life, being in a workable, happy relationship is meaningful.
8. Valentine’s Day is a Good Time to Celebrate Friendships
Most people not in romantic relationships find Valentine’s Day difficult since they believe it is a time to celebrate couples. They may feel bombarded with love, marriage, and romantic messages. You don’t have to avoid Valentine’s Day if you are not in a relationship; it is an excellent time to celebrate with family and friends in your life.
Strong, fulfilling friendships have many benefits, just like romantic relationships. True friendship can be the backbone of your life and even help you make vital decisions. You don’t need a romantic partner to send a card or flowers or prepare a lovely valentine’s dinner.
9. Come up With a New Tradition During Valentine’s Day
While traditions are practiced every Valentine’s Day, you and your partner can create your tradition to celebrate valentines. For example, you can try a new recipe if you and your partner enjoy cooking. You could also watch a movie or visit the less privileged if that is what you love doing most.
10. Enjoy Restaurant Special
Most people enjoy going out on Valentine’s Day. It is a great time to take a break from your regular duties and unwind. Find restaurants in your locality offering special offers and enjoy them with your partner.
11. It’s a Great Day for Small Businesses
Valentine’s Day is the 5th largest consumer spending occasion in the United States. Cards, flowers, and candy are the most popularly sold items, among other products. However, you don’t have to buy expensive gifts to make your partner happy. Shop Small to support your local businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Valentine’s Day a federal holiday?
No. Valentine’s Day is not a federal or public holiday in any county. As such, schools and businesses usually operate typically.
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What is love?
Dictionary.com describes love as an intense, deep affection for another person. It also means having a strong liking for something or a strong bond with someone.
People who love each other are committed to each other, which involves a lot of giving and taking.
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Who was St. Valentine?
You probably have heard that Valentine’s Day was named after a patron saint called Saint Valentine. However, confusion surrounds this issue since it needs to be clarified which Saint the holiday honors, for there were several St. Valentines. Furthermore, history shows that two Valentine’s priests could have inspired the holiday.
Based on historians, the holiday could have been named after a priest Claudius II Gothicus. Legend has it that he wrote a letter to his jailer’s daughter that read “from your Valentine.” The girl is also believed to have been healed by the priest of her blindness.
On the other hand, the holiday could be named after Bishop St. Valentine of Terni. It is believed that St. Valentine of Terni illegally married couples during the war as a way to keep love going. He was unfortunately sentenced to death when authorities caught him. His feast day is to date associated with love because of this.
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When were Valentine’s Cards Introduced?
Formal love messages during Valentine’s Day celebrations first appeared in the 1500s, while commercialized printed cards got into the market by the late 1700s.
However, the first commercial valentines printed in the United States took place in the 1800s.
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Is Valentine’s Day Celebration for Couples Only?
Not really. For those without a significant other, Valentine’s Day can still be a particular time to show love and appreciation to friends and family members.
People often use the holiday to spread love and kindness to those around them, making it a special day for all.
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What Symbols of Love are Used During the Valentine’s Day Celebration?
· Cupid- the Roman god of love
· Hearts, which are traditionally considered to be the seat of emotion
· Birds: it was believed that the avian mating season began in the middle of February.
· Sweets and chocolate treats
· Red roses: They are a symbol of love and beauty. -
What Does Red Rose Symbolize?
Red roses symbolize romantic love on Valentine’s Day. They exemplify passion, desire, romance, and true love. Roses have been associated with love since ancient times, and the meaning remains today.
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Who Wrote the First Valentine?
Margery Brews wrote the first Valentine’s Day love letter to her fiancé John Paston in 1477. She wrote a letter to her lover asking him to marry her despite her family increasing her dowry.
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Who is Cupid?
Cupid is a prominent Valentine’s Day symbol that comprises a chubby winged baby shooting arrows of love. Cupid originates from Roman and Greek mythology, where he used his hands to cause his targets to feel uncontrollable love.
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What Do Love Birds Symbolize on Valentine’s Day?
Lovebirds are small, brightly colored parrots from South Africa. They represent love, fidelity, loyalty, and devotion.
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Does Valentine’s Day Have Any Drawbacks in Relationships?
While Valentine’s Day is surrounded by so much fun and benefits, it can also come with excessive pressure. Many people feel pressurized during holidays due to the demands that come with them. Some people find it overwhelming to find the right words and gifts for their partners. A poorly done Valentine’s Day celebration can cause problems in a relationship.
Parting Shot:
In conclusion, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for centuries and remains a necessary time to express love and affection for those close to us. Whether through romantic gestures or acts of kindness, Valentine’s Day celebrates love in all its forms.
Before you go…
Happy Valentine’s Day from the entire Kids on the Yard team!
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