In Mexico the holiday is know as El Día de San Valentín, the day of love and friendship. Balloon vendors sell colorful, heart-shaped declarations of love, reading: Te Amo (I love you), Para mi amor (for my love), or Felicidades (congratulations). Chocolates and red roses are given to friends and family, as well as to lovers and spouses. 

In Scotland Valentine’s Day is celebrated with a festival where equal numbers of single men and women write their names on pieces of paper, roll them up and place them in a men’s hat and women’s hat. Then each person takes the name of a person of the opposite sex. The man is obliged to stick with the valentine who has chosen him. A Scottish valentine superstition (also found in Italy and England ), says that an unmarried woman will marry the first man she sees on that day — or at least somebody who looks like him. 

In Spain it is customary for courting couples to exchange gifts and for husbands to send their wives a bunch of roses.

In the United States and Canada men and women exchange gifts of flowers, candies and other finery such as jewelry, perfume and sexy clothing along with elaborate valentine cards bearing romantic messages. 

In Wales wooden love spoons are carved and given as gifts on Feb. 14. Hearts, keys and keyholes are favorite decorations on the spoons, meaning: “You unlock my heart.”

By the Way, there’s still time to order flowers for your Valentine!

In France young unmarried people as well as older unmarried people would go into houses facing each other and start calling out across from one window to another, pairing off with the one they have chosen. If the young man didn’t fancy his valentine he would desert her and as a result afterwards a bonfire would be lit where the young ladies would burn images of the young man and would yell out abuse as she burnt the image of the young man.

In Germany women plant onions in pots, giving each a man’s name and placing them near the fireplace. The first sprouting onion is the husband-to-be. 

In Japan downtown Tokyo department stores sell elegantly wrapped chocolates, but the candy buyers are all women. In Japan women are expected to give men chocolates. On Feb. 14, office ladies, known as OLs in Japanese, buy giri chocos — obligation chocolates — for their bosses.  If a woman is interested in someone, she lets him know by giving honmei chocolates “true feeling gifts,” which bear romantic messages. 

In Italy Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a Spring Festival and his held in the open air. The young would gather in leafy glades or ornamental gardens, where they would listen to music and hear poetry read, then they would stroll off with their valentine together into the gardens. In Turin it was once customary for an engaged couple to announce their engagement on this day. For a while before the day shops would be decorated and filled with all sorts of bon-bons.  In Rome  St Valentine’s Day in known as Lupercalia - a very romantic and pleasure-loving occasion. Order your Valentine Flowers Early!

Valentine Traditions Around the World

In Austria it has become customary for a young man to present his loved one with a bunch of flowers for Valentine’s Day.

In Australia during the gold rush, miners who were flushed with new found wealth paid high prices for elaborate valentines. The most extravagant of valentines were made of a satin cushion, perfumed, ornately designed with flowers, colored shells and a taxidermied humming bird or bird of paradise. 

In Britain some unmarried women get up before sunrise on Valentine’s Day. They stand by the window watching for a man to pass. They believe that the first man they see, or someone who looks like him, will marry them within a year.In Denmark people press white flowers called snowdrops and send them to their friends. Danish men send a type of valentine called a gaekkebrev (joking letter). The sender writes a rhyme but does not sign his name. Instead, he signs the valentine with dots, one dot for each letter of his name. If the woman who gets it guesses his name, he rewards her with an Easter egg on Easter. 

In 18th century England unmarried women would pin bay leaves to their pillow on Valentine’s Day in the hope of dreaming of their future husband. Others baked valentine buns with caraway seeds, plums or raisins. 

Remember to order flowers for your VALENTINE EARLY!

Take the Valentine Quiz…

1. What did people used to believe would happen if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day?

2. Who imprisoned Valentine?

3. Why was he imprisoned?

4. On what date was Valentine supposedly executed?

5. How many Valentine cards will be bought in a year?

6. Name 2 countries, other than the U.S., that celebrate Valentine’s Day.

7. In Roman mythology, February 14th is associated with which goddess?

8. What custom does the saying “He wears his heart on his sleeve” come from?

9. What is the flower associated with Valentine’s Day?

10. When did Hallmark make its first Valentine Card?

Bonus question:

How do you write I Love You in German? In French?  In Spanish? In Italian? In Portuguese? In Cantonese?

Click Here for the answers!

DID YOU KNOW?

The oldest paper valentine still around is in the collection of the British Library in London . It was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415

Legend has it that Valentine’s Day is when birds find their mates Until the 1800s, the English made Valentine cards and shipped them all over the world

Be sure to order your Valentine flowers early at Eden Florist!

Ooh I need romance babe , I hope you know it’s true
Hope you need romance babe, Just like I do too…  

Okay, it’s not exactly the same lyrics to the Beatles song, Eight Days a Week, but it’s true (for most of us, that is). And just like the lyrics to the song “Eight days a Week, Is not enough to show I care…” Romance is not reserved for holidays and special days, it’s the wise person who is romantic on a daily basis.  And being romantic every day of the week is not that difficult.  It just takes a little forethought and imagination.  I call it planned spontaneity.  And let’s face it, sometimes we need a little help to add more romance to our relationship.

February

Excerpted from Romance on a Budget.

To order flowers, visit Eden Florist & Gift Baskets

DID YOU KNOW?

Red Hearts are an ancient symbol of love. Because the human heart beats faster when one is excited, the heart was thought to be the centre of emotion and feeling in ancient times.

Interlocking Hearts, also known as the true-love knot, represent two hearts joined as one. Sometimes the true-love knot is joined with a capital “A”. The “A” stands for the Latin phrase “Amor vincit omnia”, meaning “Love conquers all.”

Valentine candy boxes are heart-shaped and tied with red ribbon to symbolize giving one’s heart.

To be awakened by a kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered very good luck.

Remember to order flowers for YOUR VALENTINE at Eden Florist.

DID YOU KNOW?

Flowers are a symbol of love and happiness. Roses were sacred to Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love.

Cupid is the son of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love. Legend is that mischievous Cupid flew around shooting arrows into people’s hearts to make them fall in love.

Love Birds are brightly colored birds found in Africa . They often sit very close to their mates, making it seem they are cuddling much of the time. 

Doves are symbols of love and loyalty. Mourning Doves mate for life and are excellent parents who share the care of their babies.

There’s still time ot order flowers for your Valentine at Eden Florist.

February is the month of love.  Inside every romantic a fire is kindling, making us all aglow with feelings of love, passion and friendship.  True romantics really love to “show off” their romantic prowess.  If you are one of those dire-hard romantics or if you are a would-be romantic the right gift is sure to put you at the center of your intended’s attention.

1.      Flowers always top the list of most romantic gifts.  Everyone sends roses.  Sure roses are nice and “yes” they are the symbol of love and romance, however some people actually prefer other varieties. Why not be original this Valentine’s Week?  Find out what his/her favorite flowers are and send a dozen of those. A bouquet of birds of paradise, antherium or orchids with a card that says “my love (passion, feelings) for you is/are like a tropical heat wave” could be just the ticket to paradise.  Sunflowers are especially nice for a friend, to spread some sunshine in the world, to brighten someone’s day.  Visit www.EdenFlorist.com for more Valentine’s ideas. 

2.      Write a poem or a love letter.  The art of letter writing is almost extinct (especially with the internet).  Think about the last time you got a written note or card in the mail.  Did it bring a smile to your face?  Were you pleasantly surprised? Not a poet?  Check out http://www.webcom.com/wordings/artofwrite/poetrygenerator.html and http://www.romanceopedia.com/R-LovePoetry.html. Two great sources for finding and writing poetry for the object of your affection.

3.      Be original.  Why not hire an artist and get custom art created just for your intended?  You could find one near you by calling a local art institute, vocational technical school or even college level art students.  They will generally do it for the practice and a small fee (unless the one you choose is already famous).

4.      Be his/her loyal servant.  Everyone loves to be pampered.  Give your valentine a gift certificate (or several) good for a chore of your choice (or theirs if you are brave).  Check out http://www.edenflorist.com/ValentineCoupons.asp to download and print out some FREE gift certificates.

5.      Relax and spend time together.  Rent a movie, butter some popcorn, turn down the lights, ignore the phone, pager, and personal computer and cuddle together. Feed your valentine grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, or whatever will make him/her feel the romance. Make sure the movie is one they would really love to watch.

6.      Create Valentine Balloon messages.  Write special messages on little strips of paper (or create them on your computer) fold them and put them inside deflated latex balloons.  Blow the balloons up (with air) and drop them around the house for your valentine to discover. Tape a Valentine card to the front door with instructions and a pin so they can “pop” the balloons.

7.      Have a scavenger hunt.  Write little notes about how you feel or what he/she means to you.  “Hide” them around the house along with some candy or a special treat.  Add a clue at the end of each note about where to find the next one.  When she or he finds the last note, have a special something waiting there, say a candle-lit bubble bath and two glasses of wine.

8.      Room service.  Rent a fancy hotel room in your own town, order room service and watch movies for a whole weekend.  A variation of this might be a day at the spa or make your own spa at home, complete with massage oils…etc.

9.      Picnic for two, anyone?  It could be outdoors or right in your own living room.  Set the scene with candles, candies and his or her favorite food.  Let’s not forget the champagne!

10.  Write, “I love you” on the bathroom mirror, write little notes and stick them under the pillow, in their lunchbox, briefcase, car windshield, underwear drawer.  Create your own valentine box.  Ask your valentine to write a note every day from now until valentine’s and place it in the box.  You do the same.  On Valentine’s Day each of you take turns reading the contents over a romantic candlelit dinner or in front of the fireplace.  Who knows, you just might get lucky that day! Be sure to order your Valentine Flowers early.  Visit Eden Florist today!

 Romance on a Budget by Heidi Richards

Romance isn’t about spending money, it’s about spending time together, spending energy and creativity to attract and keep the relationship exciting and the love alive.   - Heidi Richards

Romance isn’t about how much money you lavish on another.  It’s about attracting the object of your affection.  Romance is about making dreams and fantasies come true. Romance is defined as “an exciting and mysterious quality; a relationship between two lovers.” It is the “act of making your partner feel loved.” Romance is more than an act, it’s a state of being. It’s the heart, the soul and the mind working together to create an adventure, and increase enthusiasm for one another.

“Romance means intimacy and connection, which means paying attention to detail.  It’s making her lunch or giving him a massage.  It’s making the bed together and cuddling.  It’s holding hands and leaving little “love notes” around the house.  It’s touching and feeling and listening and sharing.  It’s excitement and serenity, spontaneity and planning.  It’s telling the other person what you want, and doing the things the other person likes. It’s connecting deeply. 

Romance is about timing, imagination, exploration and creativity.  Being Romantic is about…. being creative, being willing to take a risk. Sometimes it’s being sweet. Sometimes it’s being silly. Romance is about … the right attitude.  And attitude can cost you a little or a lot.  True romantics have the right attitude; and use imagination to cultivate loving, sensual relationships. 

So just how do you develop the right attitude?  Start out with little acts of affection, little things to show you care and can be romantic.  Here are a few suggestions (excerpted from the book, Romance on a Budget) to help you spark your imagination. 

♥          This Kiss (#10) – You must remember this; a kiss is still a kiss… kiss often.  Repeat several times.

♥          Look into My Eyes (#11) – When you gaze into each others eyes, everyone else seems to disappear. And looking intensely at one another  can send a message to your lover that can lead to other things.

♥          You Light up my Life (#15) - Spray the perfume or cologne you wear on a light bulb. When the light is turned on the scent of you will fill the room.

♥          What a Feeling (#19) – Tell your love how much you appreciate him/her.    Write your message on a post-it-note and stick it where it is sure to be found.

♥          Get out of your Comfort Zone (Intro) – Do something impulsive, even a little risky that will excite your lover and ignite the romance. 

  Like the song says “Love Don’t come easy.”   I believe that “Romance Don’t Come Easy. “ But with a little practice and planning, the results can be thrillllllllling….

  Excerpted from the book, Romance on a Budget – www.romanceonabudget.net. © 2008 - Heidi Richards is an Author, Professional Speaker, and Business Mentor and the owner of Eden Florist & Gift Baskets – www.edenflorist.com   Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication is appreciated.