How Do You Celebrate Valentine's Day?
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Happy Valentine's Day -- 2009
While Valentines Day is a largely a holiday observed by Americans, February 14, or the day of lovers, is also celebrated in many cultures throughout the world. Some customs are quite similar to the United States while others are unique to that particular country. What is true around the world is the Valentines Day gives people the opportunity to reaffirm their love and affection for their significant others, while also expressing gratitude to those who have made a difference in their lives.
Britain
Britain is one of the countries who helped to establish the celebration of Valentines Day. In days of old, poets penned romantic verses, including Chaucer who wrote a poem to honor the engagement of Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. Chaucer's poem linked the engagement to the February 14, a traditional day for the mating of birds. Today, the custom of penning verses is still popular with magazines publishing poems which commemorate Valentines Day. In honor of the day, children also sing songs and are rewarded with candies, fruit or money for their efforts. Most adults observe the day with the exchanging of flowers, cards and chocolates.
France
Like England, French people in the Middle Ages also believed birds began to mate halfway through the second month of the year. For this reason, special love letters and tokens of charm were exchanged on this day. Interestingly, Valentines Day cards are believed to have originated in France. The Duke of Orleans, captured at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, wrote a poem or Valentine to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Japan
Valentines Day in Japan is really a double affair and is observed mostly by young people. Women first offer gifts to a significant male on February 14. In return, the woman who gave a gift receives one from the man on White Day, or March 14. Women often receive white chocolate on this day. Chocolate is a very popular gift item; however there are two types of chocolates which are used for Valentines Day. The first, giri-choco means "obligation," and are gifts of chocolate presented to colleagues and close friends. The other, "hon-mei choco" is given to a special man. Many young women believe that if they purchase chocolate at the store for their significant other, it is not true love. So hon-mei choco is typically prepared by the young woman.
Italy
It's no surprise in the land of love that Valentines Day is celebrated with much charm and enthusiasm. Centuries ago, the occasion was actually celebrated in the spring out in the open air where couples would listen to music and read poetry. Today, the major day for celebrating romantic love in Italy is il giorno della festa degli innamorati and is a day celebrated by couples alone. On Valentines Day couples might exchange flowers or jewelry to charm their loved one. A popular Italian Valentines Day gift is Baci Perugina, which are small chocolate-covered hazelnuts containing a romantic poetic quote.
Denmark
Valentines Day is most often observed by those between the ages of 16 to 30 in Denmark. The most popular traditions here include a Lover's Card colorful cards containing a Valentines message. Danes also celebrate by the giving of "snowdrops or white flowers to friends and lovers. Young couples also compose "gaekkebrev," poems that are left unsigned by the giver. A girl who receives such a card and correctly guesses the sender is rewarded with an Easter egg that year.
United States
An extremely popular event, Valentines Day is believed to have been imported to North America by British settlers in the 19th century. The first massed-produced Valentines Day cards were designed by an Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts in 1847. Today, young lovers offer gifts of flowers, chocolate and jewelry to the delight and charm of the receiver. Some ideas in Bay City for that "sweet something" would be St. Laurent's Brothers and Sweet Boutique in Downtown Bay City!
The exchange of fine jewelry has also been a popular choice in recent decades. While diamonds are often touted as the ultimate piece of jewelry to receive, charm bracelets, necklaces and rings also remain favorites as well. Not surprisingly, Danish-inspired charm bracelets have gained huge popularity in the States, creating a real stir in the jewelry industry. Designed with changeable beads and charms, the bracelets create a distinctive and unique look a perfect gift for the perfect Valentines Day.
Herman Hiss in Downtown Bay City carries the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. This I know because for my 40th Birthday last year, I was graced with a Pandora from my mom and throughout the year, get exciting and new charms for different seasons/different reasons! For instance, when we started the Tri City Buzz Television Show, she got me the "Queenbee" and "Bee Hive" charms for my bracelet! This truly is, the gift that "keeps on giving"! It is a wonderful gift for that "special someone" for Valentine's Day as well! Visit Pandora Jewelry! to see the selection that you can get right here in Bay City at Herman Hiss Jewelers!
For that Valentine dinner, be sure to consider Bay City establishments such as Lumber Barons, Old City Hall, Kingfish, River Rock, Steamers, Mulligan's, Rattlesnake Rick's, Gatzby's, Sporty's, Washington Street Irish Pub, The Stables, Waterfront Market, The Hen House or simply order in a romantic dinner for two from B & C Pizza! (All of these businesses will be featured in MyTriCityNews.com's The Belly Button Restaurant Guide offering buy one get one deals! "Coming Soon"! Contact me directly at (989) 892-8501 to have your establishment added to this fantastic deal which includes a 2 minutes infomercial of your offerings!)
Whatever choices you make, remember to support local business on this holiday!
Other Valentine Traditions
Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine ---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine
In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!
Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have. Now that my child bearing days are over, I have often thought to try this and see if it is accurate ... after the fact!
Happy Valentines Day to you and yours from the staff of MyBayCity and the Tri City Buzz Show! Enjoy, take time to appreciate and give love everyday to those you hold dear ...
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