Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is always February 14th and every time the holiday comes around you will often see people rushing about trying to find the perfect Valentine gift for their special someone.

There are a few different ideas out there regarding how the Valentine's Day holiday started. Some experts believe that it originated from a Roman man named St. Valentine. He was martyred because he refused to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D. Legend also says that St. Valentine had left a farewell letter for the jailer's daughter, who he had befriended, and signed it "From Your Valentine".

Other views of the story say that Saint Valentine had served as a priest at a temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius ended up having Valentine jailed for defying him. It was then believed that in 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.

As time progressed, February 14 became the date for exchanging love notes and St. Valentine was honored as the patron saint of lovers. The date was celebrated by sending poems and gifts such as flowers. Many times a ball or social gathering was held to celebrate the holiday.

In the United States, a women named Esther Howland has been given credit for sending the very first Valentine Day cards. Commercial Valentines cards were eventually introduced in the 1800's.

Today many other countries have fallen in love with the Valentine's Day holiday. Children can be found giving Valentine's Day gifts to friends and crushes on the playground and many adult men surprise their sweethearts by sending flowers and chocolate to their workplace.

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Link to more holiday gift ideas

Holiday Calendar - Calendar of gift giving holidays and events.