I don’t think it comes as a suprise that the most popular day to get proposed on is Valentine’s Day! Along with this, the popular holidays for weddings include Labor Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is filled with heart-shaped chocolates, roses, and expressions of affection! So, what is the history behind this day of love? How did this day evolve from a Roman festival to a global celebration of romance?
Where Did Valentine’s Day Begin?
Valentine’s Day first originated from the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which took place in ancient Rome and was celebrated between February 13th and 15th. This was a violent festival, filled with animal sacrifices and whippings, and was intended to ward off evil spirits and promote health and fertility. The rituals conducted at the festival were far from romantic and were not exactly something worth celebrating! In the fifth century A.D., Pope Gelasius banned the festival and decided that February 14th would be the day to celebrate Saint Valentine instead. So, who was Saint Valentine? Saint Valentine was a Roman Christian priest, and at the time, Emperor Claudius persecuted Christians and forbade priests from marrying couples. Valentine defied the Emperor’s orders and secretly performed marriages for young couples when the practice was outlawed. He was eventually imprisoned and then executed on February 14th, around the year 270 AD. During his imprisonment, it’s said he wrote a heartfelt letter to the jailer’s daughter and signed it “From your Valentine,” a phrase that continues to symbolize love today.
Why Do We Exchange Gifts?
The tradition of exchanging tokens of love on Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Victorian era. Handwritten love letters were a favorite way to express affection, and these cards were often elaborately decorated with lace, ribbons, and romantic illustrations.
Flowers, especially red roses, gained popularity in the 19th century due to their association with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Chocolates joined the mix thanks to the marketing brilliance of Richard Cadbury, who introduced beautifully boxed chocolates specifically for Valentine’s Day. Fast forward to today, these traditions have endured and expanded to include a mix of personalized gifts, romantic getaways, and heartfelt gestures.
7 Sweet Things to Do for Your Sweetheart
The main goal of Valentine’s Day today is to show your partner how much they mean to you! While gifts can be elaborate, here are seven sweet yet simple things you can do to make this day extra special:
- Cook a romantic dinner together or surprise your partner with their favorite meal prepared by you. Bonus points for candlelight and soft music!
- Write a heartfelt letter expressing your love, gratitude, and appreciation for your partner.
- Plan a fun activity like ice skating, watching a movie in bed, or hiking together. Remember that quality time is always cherished.
- Make a DIY gift like a scrapbook filled with memories or personalized coupons for things like breakfast in bed or massages.
- Surprise your partner at work with flowers, chocolates, a coffee, or lunch delivery.
- Create a romantic scavenger hunt with clues leading to sentimental spots or gifts around your home or neighborhood.
- Recreate your first date or a memorable date you both cherish. It’s a sweet way to reminisce and relive happy memories.
Valentine’s Day may have evolved from a pagan festival, but it has transformed into a day of love and appreciation for our significant others. Whether we exchange gifts or spend quality time together, the main focus is showing our love and gratitude for our partners. So, this Valentine’s Day, take some time to celebrate your love and make it extra special with these sweet gestures!