Where Do Valentines Day Traditions Come From?

For hundreds of years Valentines Day has been celebrated by lovers everywhere. 

Where did this traditions start anyway, and why to we exchange Valentines Day flowers and candies with each other? 

Well, I have done some searching and I have come across some interesting stories that go along with this tradition. Some of these stories may be true and others may be just what they're supposed to be... stories. 

Here is a short version of what may have really been the beginning of sending Valentines Day flowers on Valentines Day.

Why was St. Valentine so important?
About 800 years before Valentines Day was established, A man named Claudius was in power in Rome . He felt that marriage was a bad thing because it made poor soldiers out of men. So, he banned marriage from his empire. St. Valentine did not agree with this rule, so he would secretly marry couples that came to him. St. Valentine was caught and soon after he was stoned and then beheaded.

Valentine Traditions

In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart!”
In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

No matter what is true and what is myth, Valentines Day has become big business for the flower, card, and candy companies. Many exist only because of this one day a year. 

Today's Traditions

If you are a man ... and have a wife or girlfriend, and you let Valentines Day go by without getting her flowers or candy, you may find yourself in big trouble. So take my advice, put some effort into your gift too. 

There is nothing worse than seeing everyone at work receiving candy, flowers or gifts sent through to them ... and not receiving anything. Even a gift voucher for a special pampering session in a card can make someone smile!

A carefully chosen Valentine's Day card or gift will take you a long way; some women love flowers, others would be happy with a plant that they can put in the garden to enjoy year after year. 

Think about the gift ... what could you give the person you love which could make them feel special? It is not always about the money spent, but the thought about how special and nurtured they feel.

A hint ... if you feel the flowers are too expensive over Valentine's Day, spend it on something different, a treat and send some flowers over when they are a little more reasonable. The fun part of this is that you will make everyone wonder at your lover's workplace what you are celebrating!

If you’re lucky enough to have someone who loves you on Valentine's Day, then you should show him or her how much they mean to you.