Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. It may have had beginnings in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites and other activities, but the origin of the holiday is vague at best. 4. Cupid has roots in Greek mythology. Watch out around Valentine’s Day, or else you may be struck by Cupid’s arrow. According to Ti me, the ubiquitous cherub can be traced back to 700 B.C.In Chase’s brother came up with the idea to print messages on the candy in 1866, and the candies got their heart shape in 1901, appealing specifically to Valentine’s Day sweethearts. Cupid Began In this article, we take a look at the various historical and cultural influences that have shaped Valentine’s Day. From the mysterious figure of Saint Valentine and the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia to the medieval traditions of courtly love and the commercialization of the holiday in the modern era, we explore how February 14th became the day to celebrate love. The Catholic Church doesn’t recognize St. Valentine’s Day on its calendar anymore, but people throughout the world still celebrate the day. CHANGING TRADITIONS. Valentine’s Day traditions have evolved a lot over the years. For example, in the Middle Ages—which lasted from the 5th to 15th centuries in Europe—people started exchanging Before Cupid’s arrow leaves you distracted, here are 20 things you might not know about Valentine’s Day. People have mixed feelings about February 14. Before Cupid’s arrow leaves you Below, you’ll learn which day of the week to expect the holiday for the next three years (you know, in case you want to make those Valentine’s Day restaurant reservations now). Saturday, Feb This Valentine’s Day, consider what all types of love bring to your life The Robert Indiana sculpture “LOVE” stands in John F. Kennedy Plaza, commonly known as Love Park, in Philadelphia, April 13, 2020. Want to impress your friends and family with your Valentine's Day knowledge (or just win your Valentine's Day trivia contest at the local pub)? Check out these Valentine's Day fun facts: According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent an average of about $186 on Valentine's Day gifts in 2024, totaling about $26 billion nationwide. Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day today? Valentine's Day's transformation into a holiday about romantic love can be attributed to the Romantic English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. The Times notes that Jack B. Oruch, a late University of Kansas English professor, credits Chaucer for modern ideas about Valentine's Day. Through his research, Oruch As February 14th draws near, the unique challenge of celebrating Valentine's Day at work comes to the forefront. Synonymous with love and affection, the romantic buzz surrounding the holiday doesn't just stay within the personal life; it often spills over into the workplace, weaving through office corridors and cubicles. "If you read St. Valentine, he seemed to appreciate a broader sense of sharing love," says Richard Beltramini, Ph.D., co-editor of Gift Giving: A Research Anthology. In the 18th century, Europeans and Americans began exchanging friendship cards on Valentine's Day, and the practice increased in the mid-19th century, as printing technology improved and expanded the market. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th and is a traditional day for lovers in many countries. There are two main stories about the origins and history of Valentine's Day. The first involves an old Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia. Valentine’s Day at Work: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue — Keep Both of Them to Yourself on Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day is a Double-Edged Sword. Valentine’s Day. Perhaps no other holiday evokes stronger feelings from both the lovesick and those entirely sick of love. Sure the celebration of holidays at the office can be fun. St. Valentine’s had its origins as a Christian feast and, starting in the 8th century, it gradually came to be about romantic love and celebrating partners and lovers. Since then, it has largely shed its Christian trappings and is now celebrated the world over. This is demonstrated by a recent global survey. Of the 18,201 consumers in 17 global markets, 59% say they’ll celebrate Valentine 4. The Special Meal of the Day. Don’t let the Hallmark or Hollywood version of Valentine’s Day make you think that a Valentine meal served in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by the people you’ve been blessed to call family, isn’t the perfect way for you to spend Valentine’s this year, or any year! Valentine's Day by the Numbers. Let's talk numbers. Valentine's Day is a big deal economically. In the U.S. alone, people spend billions of dollars on flowers, jewelry, and candy. And get this—more than 9 million pet owners buy gifts for their pets on Valentine's Day! But here's something that might surprise you. Valentine’s Day can also make things worse if you’re already having problems. This is why so many people dread the holiday. #13. Talking about how important (or unimportant) Valentine’s Day is with your partner is good for communication . Feeling the pressure of Valentine’s Day? Talk to your partner. The Economics of Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is not just about love; it's also a significant economic event, driving sales in various industries. Spending Habits: In the United States, consumers spend billions on Valentine's Day gifts, including jewelry, flowers, and candy, with the average person spending over $150. 5 Valentine's Day Pranks with Candy This set of Valentine's Day pranks use candy and are actually pretty innocent. Hiding the candy in the container's cap, switching out their favorite treat for a different one, and filling a gum container with ketchup are all good for a laugh.
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