Origin of Valentine's Day

Ever wonder why we celebrate Valentine’s Day and where it came from?  Wonder what is the most popular gift today to give?  Amaze your loved ones with these facts….

Here is his story…..

Romance has long been associated with Valentine’s Day.  While the origin of this day is not completely know, best guess is that it comes from both Christian and Roman traditions.  One legend says the holiday came from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis (an annual fertility celebration).  As Christianity became more prevalent, many of the pagan holidays were renamed for or dedicated to early Christian martyrs.    The modern history talks about Pope Gelasius (496 AD) proclaiming February 14 to be the feast day in honor of St. Valentine – a priest who lived around 270AD in Rome.  The priest Valentine held secret marriage ceremonies for soldiers.  It was Claudius II, the new Roman emperor who prohibited marriage for young men.  The ban on marriage was upsetting to the Romans, but they didn’t say anything against the new emperor.  Valentine realized this was wrong and he married people in secrecy.  Lovers who thought about getting married went to the Priest and were married in a secret place.  Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before Emperor Claudius found out and he arrested Valentine.

Claudius met Valentine and was actually impressed with him.  However, Valentine refused to agree with Claudius about the ban on marriage.  Thus Valentine was set to be executed.   Awaiting his execution, he befriended one of the jailors.  It is said that just before Valentine’s execution, he asked for pen and paper and wrote a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”.  This phrase has lived for nearly 2000 years since!  It was believed that Valentine was executed on Feb 14 and thus this day has become known for all lovers and become St. Valentine’s Day.

It was during the 14^th century that love was solidified with Valentine’s Day.  The famous author, Chaucer, associated St. Valentine’s Day with romance in his poem The Parliament of Fowls.  From that point forward, February 14^th and Valentine’s Day and love were to forever be associated together.

By the 18^th century, handmade cards and gift exchange had become common throughout England for Valentine’s Day.   Cards were made with lace, ribbons and featured cupids and hearts.  On this day you handed a card to the one you loved.  This tradition followed in the US colonies.

The first American greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howland Mount Holyoke.  Howland became known as the “Mother of the Valentine” as she made elaborate cards.  She was the first to make cards in mass quantities. 

 As for the history of the gifts we give….

 Cards were the first Valentine gift.  In the NY Times, a reporter wrote about Valentine’s taking on new meaning.  The candy makers of NY found new ways for lovers to show their feelings – out of candy.  A heart shaped box had the advertising slogan of “Will you be my Valentine”.  By 1902 these boxes became extremely popular.  By 1933 florists got in on the celebration as well.  It was said that florists placed violets into red boxes with angel cutouts. 

Right after WWII, chocolate became the popular gift.  Returning veterans were infatuate with chocolate and decided their loved ones deserved it too.

So all of our gifts that we shower our loved ones with today have come from past important milestones – mass production of cards from Medieval England, Chocolate from the 1900’s and a smart New York city confectioner and newspaper reporter, and flowers from the 1930’s.  It has been said to give a sweet for their sweet and thus anything sweet is now associated with Valentine’s Day.

We hope you will look through our Valentine’s “sweet” offerings and get something for the lover(s) in your life!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!