Highlights of Valentines Day
Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
Americans began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America around 1840. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.”
Other countries have different Valentine’s Day traditions. In Japan, the women spoil the men, it is a day where the men receive gifts, get taken out for meals etc. Korea is similar to the United States where the men spoil their mates but they have also added White Day where the women spoil the men. In Finland, Valentine’s Day means friendship day, special things are done for friends but not your romantic interests. In England, young, single women pin 5 Bay leaves to their pillows the night before Valentine’s Day. This will make them dream of their future husband so they can be on the lookout for him the next day. (I am afraid this would make me dream of soup!)
Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.
Locally, in the Leech Lake area we have many special ways to celebrate. Many of our area restaurants are having Valentine’s specials, they include: Charlie’s Up North, Boulders, The 502 at the Chase on the Lake (who are also offering a room special) and the Zona Rosa are just a few. Christmas Point is featuring Pandora Jewelry and 513@Mainstream will wrap your gift beautifully. A Stop at Heritage Arts and Gifts is a must and remember to mention Chamber Valentine to receive 20% off Thru Friday February 13th. Turf Tech Floral is running a special on roses. They are making some great changes at their retail store so stop in to check it out and pick up some roses for your love.
If you play your cards right you could join some of the greatest love stories of all time: Romeo & Juliet, Chuck & Vonnie Beckman, Mark Anthony & Cleopatra, Gregg & Roxie Parks, Rhett Butler & Scarlet O’Hara and Paul and Cindy Wannarka.
Be My Valentine!
