Valentine’s Day is coming.
Some say it is an invention of the greeting card and flower companies to make money.
What is Valentine’s and who celebrates it? Personally, I always thought that Valentine’s Day was named for Saint Valentine, but you can read about all the things the original Valentines Day celebrators did.
The day grew in popularity when printing and postal rates became less expensive. In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own.
Paper Valentines became popular in England in the early 19th century. In 1835, 60,000 Valentine cards were sent by post in Britain.
In the United States, the first mass-produced valentine’s of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts. Her father operated a large book and stationery store.
A writer in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day ... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday."
Well, not exactly, the day is still not an official holiday but it is a multi-million-dollar industry. It is not just for lovers, but anyone you care about. It is celebrated by everyone from young school children to adults in love. We are all familiar with the paper cards and candy with messages of love that are so popular in the United States but how is the day celebrated around the world?
The first part of that answer is it's not celebrated everywhere and if it is, it is not necessarily on February 14th. Here are a few of the unique ways people around the world show their love.
Japan
In Japan ladies give the men in their life chocolates. They are gifts that do not hold any romantic connotations. If the giver has some romantic intentions, then the Chocolates will have some sort of homemade gift along with them. The guys don’t get off the hook a month later on March 14th on what is called “White Day” guys gift gifts of chocolate and more.
Argentina
In Argentina a day is not enough, they celebrate Valentine’s day like in the US, but in July that have Sweetness Week lovers and friends will exchange candies and kisses and will culminate on Friendship Day. The day originated in the 80’s as a PR campaign to sell candy but has taken on a life of its own.
Taiwan
In Taiwan one day is not enough, they have two days. The traditional February 14th and July 7th. Men are expected to give bouquets of flowers to their loved ones. The color and the quantity holding special meanings. Red roses will represent “an only love”, ninety-nine roses will express “love forever”, and 108 roses signify popping the question, “Will you marry me?”
Scotland
As a single person, I find the way Scotland celebrates intriguing. They celebrate the usual way with candy and flowers for lovers, but they also have a party game for V-Day! Each single person writes his or her name on a piece of paper, which is then thrown into two hats—one with the men's names and the other with the women's names. Everyone draws a name, and the couples pair off for the evening. Since it's unlikely that the names will actually match, the man has to stick with the woman who picked his name—regardless of whose name he picked. Interesting!
Malaysia
Malaysia is another country that has a way for singles to get in on the action. On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, women write their phone numbers on oranges before throwing them into the closest river with hopes that the man of their dreams will pick one up. Fruit vendors collect the oranges, which are considered a lucky fruit, and resell them at the market—phone numbers and all! Can't you see a romantic comedy flick starting with a guy finding a "call me" orange in his bag of groceries?
No matter what you may think of Valentine’s Day, take the time to tell someone special to you that they are important. We all like to feel special and wanted.
“People go through their lives rarely taking the time to say ‘I love you’ so… what’s one day a year when you are forced to be nice to each other and acknowledge those who are important to us?” – Jerry Ortega (Character on Hawaii 5-0)
