When is Valentine's Day? The date and meaning of this romantic holiday
When is Valentine's Day this year?
Valentine's Day 2024 falls on a Wednesday. Now you might think that's inconvenient, right in the middle of the week. But it doesn't have to be that way at all! For one thing, Valentine's Day can be such a wonderful break from the daily grind and routine. So it actually breaks up the week nicely.
In addition, celebrating Valentine's Day on Wednesday gives us the opportunity to plan something fun for the evening. That way you have something to look forward to during the day, and you can plan a delicious dinner or cosy movie night on Valentine's Eve, for example. During the day, you can then indulge in the pre-wedding fun with sweet little emails to each other!
Celebrating Valentine's Day during the week also means there is less pressure to fill an entire day or weekend with romantic activities. You can, of course, if you want to! But should you be busy (who isn't these days!) it can be wonderful to make things a little simpler with a dinner party, sweet card and personalised gift. You can show each other that you are important to each other, but it takes less time and effort to organise.
Now the other way around, Valentine's enthusiasts can actually go bigger than ever! You can have a lovely dinner together on Valentine's Day itself, and then celebrate Valentine's Day with 1 or 2 days full of romantic activities at the weekend; a beach or forest walk, a visit to a museum, a wellness day, a weekend in a nice hotel or a combination of activities. Decide how big you want to go and enjoy yourself to the fullest!
All in all, Valentine's Day 2024 is just another excellent opportunity to celebrate love and your special connection, however you want to.
The meaning of Valentine's Day
For many, Valentine's Day is more than a simple celebration of romantic love. Historically, it is indeed the day when lovers give each other some extra attention with sweet cards and gifts, and spend time together. But today, the meaning of Valentine's Day has evolved and we can fill it in as we like.
Today, Valentine's Day is no longer just about happy couples. It has become a beautiful occasion when people show their appreciation for all types of relationships. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and even pets all get to hear how important they are to us! So many of us now take this day as the perfect opportunity to express our platonic love, and celebrate all of the loving relationships in our lives.
The bottom line is that there is no set way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Everyone spends this special day differently, depending on their personal relationships and what Valentine's Day means to them. Whether you surprise someone with a bunch of flowers or a personal gift, send a handwritten letter or simply spend time with the people you love, any kind of celebration is all about love!
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
The origins of Valentine's Day
The origins of Valentine's Day can be found in myths and legends. One of the most accepted theories takes us back to ancient Rome and the Lupercalia festival, celebrated in mid-February. The festival was actually a fertility ritual, to increase fertility in women. Over the years, the festival became more and more associated with romance.
Where does the name Valentine's Day come from?
Around the third century AD, there was a bishop named Saint Valentinus who, despite a ban from the emperor, secretly performed marriages between young couples. Saint Valentinus was eventually captured and executed on Feb. 14. Later, the church recognized Feb. 14 as the day of St. Valentine, in honour of the sacrifice he had made and the love connections he had made possible.
Valentine's Day 2024: Leap year tradition
In the world of traditions and customs, there is one very special one: during a leap year, specifically on Feb. 29, women can propose to their partners. 2024 is a leap year, so let's look at the interesting history of this tradition.
In 5th century Ireland, St. Brigid of Kildare made a deal with St. Patrick. Brigid was concerned that women were having to wait too long for proposals from potential husbands. So she called for a little more balance in the distribution of the right to propose. St. Patrick decided that women could propose to their husbands on one day every four years - during the extra day in the leap year.
The tradition spread over the centuries to Scotland and England, and then further through Europe. If the man refused the proposal, thus breaking tradition, he was fined. These fines
ranged from buying gloves to cover the woman's ringless hand, to giving money or a silk dress.
Today, this tradition is redundant, as women can now, of course, propose to their partners on any day. Nevertheless, the magic of a leap year still endures!
Valentine's Day within different cultures
Valentine's Day is recognized worldwide and, depending on culture, is celebrated in many different ways. Let's look at a few unique traditions!
In Japan and South Korea, women take the initiative on Valentine's Day. They give their male colleagues, friends and partners delicious chocolate gifts. Do the same and surprise the men in your life with a personalised chocolate gift in the form of an XXL chocolate bar by their favourite brand, photo chocolates or a sweet chocolate heart featuring a name and photo! A month later, on 14 March, they celebrate 'White Day', where men return the favour by giving gifts to women. So men, you too can come to us for beautiful personalised gifts for the women in your life!
In Denmark, it’s all about giving dried white flowers, known as 'snowdrops'. Danes additionally like to send funny poems or love letters, so-called 'gaekkebrev,' to their loved ones. Check out our beautiful dried flower gifts and personalised cards to adopt this tradition for your Valentine's Day celebration.
South Africa celebrates Valentine's Day in a unique way with Lupercalia. Women there pin their love’s names on their sleeves and people decorate their homes, stores and restaurants with symbols of love, such as hearts, birds and Cupids.
In Wales they celebrate the day of Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh saint of lovers, on Jan. 25 instead of Valentine's Day. It’s customary to give homemade wooden spoons, traditionally known as "love spoons". Nice to know that in Wales they also know the importance of a truly unique, personalised gift!
On the other side of the world, in Brazil, June 12 is known as "Dia dos Namorados," or "Lovers' Day," because Valentine's Day coincides with their carnival week. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, flowers and cards on this day to show their love.
Discover some gift ideas for Valentine's Day:
Valentine's Day within different religions
The celebration of Valentine's Day in many countries is influenced not only by culture, but also by religion. In Christianity, for example, the holiday is celebrated mainly in remembrance of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. Here, flowers are often used as a way to express affection.
In some Islamic communities this day is not recognized or celebrated. Traditionally, every day is seen as a day to show love rather than just one specific day. Yet there are also Muslims who choose to celebrate this fun day in a more Western way.
Some Buddhists see Valentine's Day as an opportunity to emphasise love and understanding for each other. Sometimes they hand out gifts or do good deeds, without focusing on romantic love.
Hindus in India traditionally do not celebrate Valentine's Day, but younger generations are beginning to embrace the Western celebration anyway. In some parts of India the day is even celebrated with a 'Love Parade' festival.
Jewish couples may celebrate Valentine's Day, but also have their own holiday of love; Tu B'Av. On this day, couples focus on strengthening their commitment to and love for each other.
It is important to remember that the celebration of Valentine's Day may be different from culture to culture, but expressing love and affection always remains important. It's about showing appreciation for the people we love, whether on Valentine's Day or any the rest of the year!
Romantic gift ideas for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is the ultimate time to surprise your loved one with a romantic gift. It's the gesture that counts, whether it's something small and simple or a large, luxurious gift. Whatever it is, it shows that you thought about them, took your time to pick something out and that you really care about them. But what romantic gift ideas are out there for Valentine's Day?
Roses, of course, remain a true classic. Did you know that more than 220 million roses are grown every year? They are a symbol of love and passion, especially the red variety. They also pair perfectly with a romantic dinner for two, complete with candlelight and your favourite dishes! In addition, you can also complement them with sweet messages. Hide these in their lunchbox, coat pocket or under their pillow so they find little surprises throughout the day.
There are other ways to make your gift even more special. Personalised gifts really take the romance to the next level because you are giving something completely unique, made just for your sweetheart. Adding a personal touch shows that you not only put effort into finding a great gift, but that you also thought about how to tailor it to the recipient and the special bond you share. For example, go for an engraved piece of jewellery with initials, a customised photo book of your favourite moments together, with a unique card full of beautiful words.
Yoursurprise is the place to be for your Valentine's Day gifts! We offer you a wide range of gifts that you can each personalise for the important people in your life, for any occasion. From custom chocolates and candy to special wine bottles, clothing and accessories. Each gift is made even more special by the ability to add photos, names, important dates, and/or a personal message. This makes Yoursurprise gifts the best choice for Valentine's Day because they show your partner, husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend exactly how much you care about them.
Regardless of the type of gift you choose, showing that you love someone is obviously the best gift of all. So be creative, thoughtful and sincere in your expressions of love this Valentine's Day!
The meaning of different colours of roses on Valentine's Day
Roses are a classic gift for Valentine's Day, but did you know that the colour of the rose you choose can have a specific meaning? Use the language of flowers by consciously choosing the colour of your roses for this special day.
Red roses are undoubtedly the most well-known option for Valentine's Day. These flowers represent love and romance, making them perfect for a romantic partner. White roses, on the other hand, symbolise purity and innocence, and are often given to express true, unconditional love.
Pink roses have different meanings depending on the hue. Dark pink roses express gratitude and appreciation, while light pink roses signify tenderness and admiration. Orange roses radiate enthusiasm and passion, making them ideal for expressing fiery emotions.
Yellow roses are a symbol of friendship and caring. While they may not be usual for Valentine's Day, they are a nice way to show your gratitude and love to close friends or family members.
Black roses are often misunderstood. Although they are often associated with death and farewell, they also symbolise new beginnings. So perfect for a new relationship!
So think carefully about the message you want to convey with your flowers this Valentine's Day. The colour of the rose can add an extra layer of meaning to your gift, making it even more personal.
Valentine's Day: a purely commercial holiday?
There’s no denying that Valentine's Day has become commercial. It seems like the stores are filled with heart-shaped chocolates, roses and teddy bears earlier each year. But is this something to be negative about? Absolutely not! Even if commerce has taken advantage of this day to sell products, that need not detract from the true meaning of this special day, which is the expression of love and appreciation!
The commercial aspects of Valentine's Day can also be seen as a positive driver. They remind us to take time to reflect on the people in our lives that we love and appreciate. It's an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the bonds we have with each other. Too much emphasis on material gifts may not be ideal, but a thoughtful, personal gift can be a powerful expression of love.
Valentine's Day can also be a particularly positive time for people who might otherwise feel a bit forgotten. For friends and relatives who live far away, or for people who are alone a lot due to circumstances, a sign of love on this day can be an uplifting and meaningful experience.
Valentine's Day can indeed be commercial, but it is up to us to focus on the real meaning of this day: expressing love and appreciation and making those around us happy!
