February 14 congratulations and traditions of Valentine’s Day

February 14 Valentine’s Day traditions and cards

Historical version of the holiday

February 14 is Valentine’s Day, or Valentine’s Day. The most romantic holiday of the year. According to ancient legend, he was born thanks to the Roman priest Valentin. During his reign, the Roman Emperor Claudius II of Gothia unexpectedly decided to ban Catholic weddings. Because he believed that young people would be more useful on the battlefield if they did not have a family. Everyone agreed with him, and only the priest spoke out against the ban. And secretly married the loving couple. Having learned about this, they caught him, put him in prison, and on February 14 he was beheaded. Since then, on this day, February 14, all lovers celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Congratulations and cards for February 14

Popular theories of the origin of the holiday

However, there is a more modern legend. One of them says that a Christian preacher was sent to prison for his faith. He healed the jailer’s daughter in front of everyone, and the poor girl received her sight. Despite this, the savior was sentenced to death, and on the eve of his death he wrote a farewell letter to the girl signed “Your Valentine.”

In 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th Valentine’s Day. Since that time, lovers all over the world have revered him as their protector, and in memory of the letter, lovers give each other greeting cards in the form of hearts with a declaration of love.

Symbols and traditions of Valentine’s Day in Western countries

USA

In the United States, February 14 has been celebrated since 1777. But the holiday gained real popularity in the 20th century. It was then that sugar beets began to be used to make sugar. And sweets, which were previously expensive, became cheaper, and giving gifts became easier.

Today, on Valentine’s Day, Americans give a papier-mâché heart not only to each other, but also to acquaintances, friends, and family.

Italy

In the land of pasta, this holiday is considered the beginning of spring. And traditionally it always took place in the fresh air. Guys and girls gathered in a large group, listened to music and read poetry to each other. But over time, this sweet tradition lost its power. And today many Italians believe that this tradition was borrowed from the Americans. It is celebrated exclusively by couples in love. Giving something sweet as gifts: candy, cakes, pastries, perfume.

Australia

Residents of the Green Continent, on the contrary, love this holiday very much. Australians view Valentine’s Day as a strengthening of family ties, an extra way to see friends and family and say nice things to them.

One of the most common gifts on this day are flowers and cards.

Great Britain

Residents of the kingdom have been adhering to one interesting tradition on this day for many years: on February 14, an unmarried young lady gets up before sunrise, goes to the window and begins to look at passing men. The first young man on whom her gaze falls is her betrothed.

Popular gifts for Valentine’s Day in England are soft toys and cards.

Germany

Oddly enough, in Germany St. Valentine is considered the patron saint not of lovers, but of mentally ill people. In honor of this particular holiday, it is customary to decorate all medical institutions in the country with hearts and scarlet ribbons. And in the chapels on this day festive services are held.

Do Russia have its own Valentine’s Day traditions?

In our country there is an ambiguous attitude towards this holiday. Some Russians are categorically against this supposedly American tradition. Other residents of Russia love this day very much.

Most Russians do not have any traditions with this holiday. On this day, young people and girls give their significant other souvenirs with romantic symbols: postcards, heart-shaped sweets, red roses.

Whom to congratulate on February 14

On this day, it is customary to congratulate all those whom you treat with great tenderness and love:

• loved one;
• friend, girlfriend;
• parents;
• lonely people;
• Happy angel day to Valentine and Valentine.

Celebration ideas:

February 14 is a weekday in 2024, so we offer the following options:

• romantic dinner – the best gift on this day would be inviting your other half to dinner after a hard day at work.
• night tour of the city – to please your loved one, you can invite him for a romantic walk. Either on foot with a guide, or by water bus. And end the evening with a romantic dinner.
• Invite to an evening performance or a romantic film. You can agree in advance with the manager and at the end of the event invite the girl on stage and confess your love to her.
• Invite to the photo studio. Book a studio and arrange a shoot for just two people. The girl will be delighted. Arrange a romantic photo shoot against the backdrop of beautiful music, and buy champagne, flowers and sweets to set the mood.
• Order a bouquet or a set of cakes with compliments to your other half.
• Spend the evening at a creative or culinary master class.