From its Roman origins to its chocolaty modern day traditions, these are 10 interesting facts you maybe didn’t know about Valentine’s Day.
1. VALENTINE’S DAY STARTED WITH THE ROMANS.
There are two theories about the origin of Valentine’s Day. The most popular being that Emperor Claudius II didn’t want Roman men to marry during wartime (apparently single men make better soldiers). Bishop Valentine defied the ban and performed secret marriages. For this, Valentine was jailed and executed on February 14th.
2. IT’S NOT THE MOST POPULAR HOLIDAY FOR GREETING CARDS.
About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged worldwide each year making it the second largest greeting card–giving time of the year, after Christmas. 2015 saw £44 million spent on Valentine’s Cards with most of that money spent between the 10th – 14th.
3. WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE.
In the Middle Ages, men and women drew names from a bowl to pick who would be their Valentine. They would then pin the name on their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression “to wear your heart on your sleeve.”
4. IT’S A HOLIDAY
Back in 1537, King Henry VII officially declared 14th February the holiday of St. Valentine’s Day.
5. CHOCOLATE HAS BEEN THE GIFT OF CHOICE FOR 140 YEARS!
The first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates was produced by Richard Cadbury in 1868.
6. HUSBANDS AND BOYFRIENDS LIKE TO GIVE BOUQUETS.
73% of flowers purchased for Valentine’s Day will be by men, while only 27% are by women. It is estimated the UK flower market is worth £262 million for this celebration alone.
7. ROSES ARE THE FLOWERS OF LOVE.
The red rose, the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is the most popular flower to give on Valentine’s Day.
8.IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT FLOWERS
Of all the gifts bought for loved ones on Valentine’s Day, Women purchase approximately 85% of them.
9. MONEY CAN BY YOU LOVE!
Men will spend on average £35 on their partner at Valentine’s Day with 1 in 10 spending more than £75. Total spending in the UK topped £622 million in 2015.
10. LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Every year, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receive about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.
