Valentine's day is the perfect time to show someone you love them. It is celebrated across many countries and cultures, with traditions dating back centuries. Here are some interesting facts about Valentine's Day.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year worldwide – making it second only to Christmas as the most popular card-sending occasion.
Around three percent of pet owners will give Valentine's gifts to their pets.
In Japan, it's common for a woman to give chocolate to a man on Valentine's Day – but men are expected to return the favor one month later on White Day.
The ancient Romans celebrated a festival called Lupercalia in honor of the god Lupercus from February 13th through 15th each year. During this festival, boys would draw names of girls from a box and then pair off with them during the festival. This is believed by some to be the origin of exchanging love notes and gifts on Valentine's Day.
While red roses remain popular, there are many other traditional symbols associated with Valentine's day: white doves symbolize faithfulness, violets represent faithfulness and humility, daisies signify innocence, and ivy symbolizes undying love.
The average person spends about $130 on Valentine's day gifts each year. For men, the most popular gift is jewelry, while women prefer chocolates or flowers.
Approximately 85 percent of all Valentines are purchased by women.
It is believed that the first commercial boxed Valentine's Day cards were produced in England in around 1835.
Apples and oranges were considered symbols of good luck and fertility during the Middle Ages, so they used to be given as gifts on St. Valentine's Day.
The first chocolate boxes were made in France in the early 19th century, and they were given to women as signs of affection on Valentine's Day.
No matter how you decide to celebrate the holiday of love, it's a time to show those closest to us that we care about them. Whether it's with a romantic gesture or a small token of appreciation, make sure your loved ones know just how much you mean to them this Valentine's Day!
