History of Valentine's Day
Over the course of time, the meaning Valentine has had several meanings. Likewise, there are also many interpretations associated with this romantic celebration.
One interpretation suggests that Valentine's Day originated from a Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia, celebrated on the 15th. This date marked the transition from winter into spring. During this festival, boys drew names of the girls out of an urn. This determined who their partner was for the festivities, and they exchanged gifts on that special day. The same day believed to be when birds chose their mates. So, Valentine's Day, or February 14th, has been considered the official mating day for centuries.
Before the 1500's, the word Valentine represented the person whose name was chosen to be someone's sweetheart for the festivities. From there, it also became associated with the piece of parchment that particular person's name was written on. A short time after the turn of the 17th century, Valentine was also known as the gift given to the sweetheart had also taken on the Valentine. And in the 1800's, the word Valentine was known as a letter or poem given to the special partner.
When the celebration of Valentine's Day came to America in 1629, it adopted each meaning and continues to do so today. It is now common refer to our special partners, loving gifts given, and themed correspondences as Valentines during Valentine's Day season.
Symbols of Valentine's Day
- Cupid is an angel from ancient mythology that would shoot people with arrows and they would fall in love. In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus "The Goddess of Love", and in Greek mythology is known by the name Eros the son of Aphrodite "The Greek Goddess of Love".
- Lovebirds and Doves are associated with Valentine's Day because in early history people believed that birds found their mates on one special day, February 14th. These birds represent love through their behavior. Lovebirds are always sitting with their mates just as a couple in love would snuggle together. Doves represent loving loyalty, since these birds stay with their partner their entire lives.
- Hearts and Arrows are symbols of Valentine's Day the heart is an expression of love and the arrow represents the possibility of rejection or the connection of two hearts coming together. In ancient times, the heart was believed to be the part of the human body where all emotions originated, and then only the emotion of love was connected to the heart.
- Roses have been given as gifts throughout history in many cultures. Flowers have different meanings and the Red Rose is a symbol of love and desire.
Gifts for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is mainly a romantic holiday where couples express their devotion and love, though this holiday has also evolved into a day to celebrate platonic love. Giving gifts on Valentine's Day is an opportunity for anyone to express love to friends, siblings, children, teachers, or other significant people in their lives. According to the Greeting Card Association, Valentine's Day is the second most popular Seasonal card sold. 
- Valentine's Day cards
- Roses (or any flowers)
- Chocolate and Candy
- Cute Names
- Jewelry (Rubies and red Garnets represent love)
- Stuffed Animals
- Romantic Dinner and Movie
- Printable Love Coupons
- Handmade Gifts
Valentine's Day started and continues to be a day for expressing love and romantic festivities.
Valentine's Day has become a very popular holiday in the US. Trouble is that this holiday celebrates love and loving relationships, and unfortunately, not everyone will have the good fortune of being in a romantic relationship, or being in a relationship they want to continue. As a result, a number of non-relationship and anti-relationship holidays have sprung up around Valentine's Day that celebrate being single. We refer to these as the Anti-Valentine's Day holidays...
- Dump Your Significant Jerk Day
- Satisfied Staying Single Day
- Madly in Love with Me Day
- National Call in Single Day
- Quirkyalone Day
- Singles Awareness Day
- St. Skeletor's Day