That’s Amore
Valentine’s Day falls on February 14th each year and is an opportunity to celebrate love and make romantic declarations to each other. Love or loathe it, it’s the second biggest gifting day of the year after Christmas. Cards, chocolate and flowers are all synonymous with our love declarations. Why do we send cards anonymously? Why do we give chocolates, and what colour Roses should we send to reflect our true feelings of love? We want to know where these Valentine’s traditions come from!
The Legend
The story of St Valentine’s Day originates from the 3rd-century priest Valentine, a martyr who fought for true love, secretly marrying young couples against the Roman Emperor’s wishes. The Emperor ordered him to be put to death, wanting young men to remain single, believing it made them much better soldiers. Whilst the stories may change, the tradition of marriage proposals and the gifting of flowers, chocolates and cards remain.
Diamonds are forever
Valentine’s Day is the most romantic of the year, so it’s no surprise that many marriage proposals are made. Think, a romantic dinner for two with a surprise engagement ring for dessert. Engagement rings originated in Ancient Rome when wives wore rings made from iron at home and gold in public to indicate ownership. Now seen as a symbol of eternal love & commitment and popularised by the De Beers slogan, coined in 1947, ‘ A Diamond Is Forever,’ a diamond is the precious stone of choice for an engagement ring. Diamonds are chosen for their enduring strength and coveted for their brilliance and symbolic meaning.
Will You Be Mine Valentine?
When we were teenagers, anonymous cards from your teenage crush, secret admirer (or your parents) were welcome, but should we send anonymous declarations of love? These days it is a little bit creepy. We want our proclamations of love to be acknowledged and reciprocated, don’t we? So, let’s keep Valentine’s Day for friends and lovers (who know each other.)
Hot Chocolate!
Chocolates are always a winner on Valentine’s Day. Richard Cadbury from the famous Cadbury chocolate company created the first heart-shaped chocolate box in the 1860s. Cocoa beans, well known for their aphrodisiac properties since the Aztec and Mayan times, come from the Theobroma cacao tree, which means “food for the Gods” in Greek. Chocolate releases chemicals in the brain such as Serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, which boost feelings of pleasure, happiness, and love – as if we needed another reason to love chocolate!!
Language Of Flowers
When sending flowers, a little research goes a long way. Investigate the meaning of the colour of the flowers to check you’re sending the right message. Your beau might not appreciate a bouquet of white lilies, most commonly associated with funerals, as much as you think! These little acts of thoughtfulness and attention to detail are sure to ramp up the brownie points after all it’s the thought that counts, right? Click here for 5 tips to choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day flowers
Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue
Does anything say I love you more than a bouquet of roses which were the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Choose wisely, though. Each colour has its merits and its own special meaning. Red will prove your romantic nature, deep love and passion. Opt for feminine and nurturing pink, a symbol of gratitude, for a softer show of affection & admiration. White roses symbolise purity and faithfulness, devotion and loyalty. Yellow roses are the colour of friendship, joy, positivity and happiness. They’re a perfect way to show someone how much you care and above all appreciate their friendship.
Remember, Valentine’s Day is just a day like any other. You don’t need to buy a gift to show you care. Some of us look forward to Valentine’s Day but for some, it can be a difficult time, a painful reminder of loneliness. If you know someone who might be struggling to cope, reach out and show you care.
