Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine’s Day


Valentine’s Day has continuously changed over the years. Named after a one or more Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine’s Day is celebrated February 14 in honor of our love and devotion to others. During the 15th century, Valentine’s Day was a day to confess your love to your potential spouse. Many believe that Chaucer started this tradition with his text, Parliament of Foules. And from there, Valentine’s Day began to grow. In the 18th century, giving Valentine cards gained popularity. However, at this time cards were usually handmade and had a poem defining the giver’s love. By the 19th century, Valentine cards had become so popular, they began to mass produce them in factories. This, in my opinion, stole the intimacy of Valentine’s Day. No longer was it necessary to find a way to express how you feel. Now someone would tell you how you felt on paper. During the 20th century, the flower and candy industry began marketing Valentine gifts. What better way to tell your sweetie you love them than with roses and chocolates? The diamond industry found the answer to that question as they started marketing Valentine jewelry in the 1980’s.

What is your favorite/worst Valentine’s Day memory? Are gifts necessary on Valentine’s Day?

Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!


6 comments:

Unknown said...

I like to make surprise good dinners for my Valentine's Day gift. After a lot of years it's getting harder to be creative so he won't guess in advance. He didn't guess htis year, so that's good.

Kel said...

What did you make????

Kel said...

Romance has hit my husband!!! He went to Bath and Body Works and ZALES!!!! I almost cried to my children's delight! :)

Unknown said...

I made fondue as a main dish and chocolate fondue with strawberries for dessert. It sounds like you had a nice Valentine's day.

Unknown said...

Nice Kel! Good job by the hubby! We enjoy going to out eat on Valentine's. Since I do all of the cooking and he does none...it's a nice way for me to relax and for him to...well it's just another day. HAHAHA! This year we planned to go out to a new restaurant near our house but when we got there the parking lot had one car in it. Needless to say we hesitated about being the only people dining there - kinda creapy. So on a whim we went to an Italian restaurant that was very fancy, even though we were not dressed for the occasion (but that rarely stops us-ha!). They had one open table ... so we got to eat there. Sometimes the unplanned is the most fun! It was one of the nicest dinners I've had in a while and it was a great evening with my Valentine.

Kel said...

What a nice surprise!! I'm glad you guys got to have a romantic dinner. :)