History of Valentine's Day
From Giftypedia
Over the course of time, the meaning Valentine has had many meanings. Of course there are also many interpretations, as with any Holiday, of this romantic celebration. One certain variation goes like this...
Valentine's Day is obviously now celebrated on February 14th; however, it 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.
The word Valentine has carried many meanings. Before the 1500's, it represented the person whose name was chosen to be someone's sweetheart for the festivities. From there, it became the piece of parchment that particular person's name was written on. It then, a short time after the turn of the 17th century, became the gift given to the sweetheart, and in the 1800's was known as a letter or poem given to the special partner.
When celebrating Valentine's Day came to America in 1629, it adopted each meaning and continued to do so. We now call our special partners our Valentine, and we label loving gifts and correspondence as Valentines.
[edit] Symbols of Valentine's Day
  
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- 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 for 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.
[edit] Gifts for Valentine's Day
    
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Valentine's Day is obviously a romantic holiday where couples can express their love, but this holiday has also developed into a day to celebrate platonic love. Valentine's Day gift giving 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. [1]
- Valentine's Day cards
- Roses (or any flowers)
- Chocolate and Candy
- Cute Names
- Jewelry
- Stuffed Animals
- Balloons
- Romantic Dinner and Movie
- Handmade Gifts
Valentine's Day started and continues to be a day for love and romantic festivities.
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