Valentine’s Day: History, Gifts & More

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It’s a time when people show feelings of love, affection, friendship and make presents to each other. Various flowers, candies and other gifts are exchanged between loved ones, and all that in the name of St. Valentine. But wait! Why Valentine? What’s the point? GurusWay decided to provide you with the full picture and some useful advice about Valentine’s day.

At the end of the article you will have the answers to the following questions in your pocket:

• Who is this St. Valentine? Who created Valentine’s Day or the History of Valentine’s day?
• Why is exactly February associated with Love and Romance?
• Why Valentine’s Day Can Be Good for Your Health?
• What are the Traits of the Babies born on Valentine’s Day?
• How Valentine’s Day is Celebrated Around the World?
• What to Really Wear for Valentine’s?
• Valentine’s Day Gifts: Some of the Most Amazing Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Shape your knowledge, get more useful tips and advice by just reading this article!

Who Created Valentine’s Day (History of Valentine’s Day)

Valentine’s Day is named after a Catholic priest – Saint Valentine. He lived in the Roman Empire in the 3rd Century.

You’ve probably met numerous stories about St Valentine. Some people say that this personality didn’t even exist. Some group of people even say that this is a story of a Christian priest who was imprisoned and fell in love with his jailer’s daughter.

And before his death, he wrote a love letter, signing in the end with the words “from your Valentine.” which you can meet in nowadays card as well.

According to another legend, a priest ignored Emperor Claudius II‘s ban on marriage for young men in his army.

The priest even continued to marry couples who were in love for which he was eventually executed. They say that the symbol of love which the priest was wearing (a Cupid on the ring) helped soldiers recognize him.

Much later, in the 5th century A.D., Pope Gelasius I decided to replace the holiday with a day for the celebration of a martyr called Valentine.

Throughout time, St. Valentine became one of the most favorite holidays and known as the patron saint of love. Some couples even today ask a prayer to connect them together and become a unity.

Most probably, we’ll never know the true story behind the person named St. Valentine, but we won’t help to express love on that day and celebrate that holiday, that’s for sure.

Why Do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day on 14 February?

Originally, Valentine’s Day traces its origins back to Lupercalia, a Roman Festival dedicated to fertility. The celebration was held every year on Feb. 15 and dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture and the harvest – Faunus.

They say that during the Middle Ages, people in France and England also believed that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season. Eventually, this led to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.

Why Valentine’s Day Can Be Good for Your Health?

It’s proven that Valentine’s Day itself may be good for you in various ways. It’s because of the feelings, chocolate, red wine that you drink – all these actions lead to better heart health.

It’s not a secret that looking at your partner or the person you like is good for your heart.

During that time, your heart rates three times faster than normal, resulting in increased blood supply to the body as well as a workout for your heart.

Besides that, hugging and handholding are also good for your health.

Why?

Because they release some kind of hormone that lowers your stress, reduces blood pressure, and improves both mood and tolerance for pain.

Babies Born On Valentine’s Day: Traits

Western astrologers believe that those born under Aquarius, by their very nature, are a more giving group of people than those born to the other signs.

At first, Valentine’s Day was an out-of-control holiday that consisted of three total days of public nudity, sex, and ritual whippings.

At those times, women would line up themselves to be beaten across their nude backsides with leather straps. They really thought it would make them more productive.

However, babies born on Valentine’s Day, according to astrology website Quarto Knows, are the kind of people who are ready to build a happy, just, and peaceful community by their traits.

They say that babies born on that day will be more loving and caring, and more generous so don’t be afraid if your child borns on 14 February.

 

Related article:  25 Best Ways to Be Romantic

 

How Valentine’s Day is Celebrated Around the World?

Nowadays, many nations celebrate Valentine’s Day every year around the world.

However, they do it in their ways. Gurus Way presents you with some of the unusual ways that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in different countries. Here we go!

France: As you may know, not just France but especially Paris is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world.

First Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.

Currently, Valentine’s Day cards remain quite a popular tradition in France.

Brazil: If you’re a party-lover, then you should definitely be in this country during the February-March! Why?

Because Brazil’s Carnival is often running during all of February or March each year, coinciding with Valentine’s Day.

Brazil’s local equivalent to Valentine’s Day is June 12th and called “Dia dos enamorados” or “Lovers’ day”. Like in many nations, Brazilians also love to exchange chocolates, flowers, cards, and other gifts.

Moreover, numerous musical concerts and other performances are held throughout various cities and towns.

Finland & Estonia: In these two countries it’s a little bit different. Here, February 14 is all about celebrating friendship. Native people like to exchange presents and cards with the greeting ‘Happy Friends’ Day’.

Argentina: Argentinians lovers exchange kisses and receive chocolates and other sweets. The locals celebrate the Valentine’s Day on 13 – 20 July, calling it “the week of sweetness”.

Japan: In Japan, the celebration of Saint Valentine’s gets as sweet as chocolate!

In Japan, it is the male friends, colleagues or even bosses that receive gifts of chocolate called “Giri Choco”, (chocolates with no romantic association but obligatory to give on that day). If they want to show another kind of “affection” they can include some handmade gift plus the “Honmei Choco”.

What about men?

It’s not so simple! They have to return the gift a month later – on the “White Day” (on March 14th), with chocolates, plus some more gifts.

Germany: The celebration for Valentine’s Day in Germany is popular among the locals. However, it is not as commercial as in other parts of the world.

Surprisingly, lovers will exchange not only flowers, and other heart-shaped gifts, but also a special gift – a Pig! Why?

Because they say that the pig represents luck. It can be given in picture form, in chocolate or other forms.

Guatemala City: In this Central American city people celebrate the lovers’ event with a parade for senior citizens where people wear bright colors or traditional Mayan attire.

What to Wear for Valentine’s? What’s the Perfect Outfit?

The perfect outfit for Valentine’s Day depends on how you are planning to spend your day. However, check these useful guide tips and advice for dressing up well.

First and foremost, make sure you’re not wearing anything too formal. Be more creative! Instead of copying other people’s look try to create your own style. Wear dresses which you think your partner will like most.

Don’t choose dresses just because it’s in trend just because of the reason that it may not fit you or make you look more attractive.

Next, pay attention to your Shoes. Your shoes also need to walk a fine line.

Choose the right shoes to fit with your style and always – keep them clean. Keeping shoes clean speaks a lot about its owner, girls know that. Pay attention to it!

The Most Amazing Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas (for Her & for Him)

Sure, romantic restaurants and chocolate gifts are nice, but you can figure out something new this time. Here are some more amazing ideas to do except giving Gifts on Valentine’s Day.

• Organize a romantic night under the stars. For this purpose, you can go camping, lying on the beach or just set up for a few hours at night, in a location where the stars are visible.
• Watch the Sunset or Sunrise together. Since both of you are likely working during the day, finishing the day or starting it together is a wonderful idea to admire the sun.
• Cook dinner together. Make heart-shaped food. It can be so much more romantic than going out to eat at a super busy restaurant.
• Take a painting or dance lesson together. You can skip the traditional dinner and get on your feet for a dance lesson or a painting class with your better half.
• Head to a museum. Visit that new place together you’ve been eyeing and be ready to experience some surprising emotions, something that you didn’t have before.
• Sing your heart out at karaoke. Share the stage and sing your special song together. If you can’t sing good enough, it doesn’t matter – fight your comfort zone and have fun.
• Write love letters to each other. If you don’t have any experience in this, now’s the time to shape your skills.
• Recreate one of your favorite dates. Maybe it’s the place where you first met, or where you first kissed, just pick a place that’s special to your history as a couple and go back.