The story behind Valentine's Day is slightly different from the commercial approach that we are looking for today. Do you want to dig a little deeper into the subject of Valentine's Day instead of just scoring that romantic gift? We help you on your way with some facts about the story behind the loving day 14 February!
Table of Contents
Is a martyr sentenced to death from the 3 e century, Saint Valentine, the reason we en masse buy presents, chocolate hearts and bunches of roses for loved ones on February 14? Doesn't sound very logical, but it would have turned out that way due to a strange combination of circumstances. At least, according to the legend that circulates about the origin of Valentine's Day.
The ancient Romans celebrated the fertility festival on February 15th every year. During this event, Lupercalia called, the names of all the young, unmarried women were thrown into a big bowl. The unmarried - hopefully young too! – men were then allowed to take turns fumbling in the bin with names. Like drawing lots with Sinterklaas, only with slightly more far-reaching consequences:the man who drew your name became your partner. Of course you could be lucky and hook up a beautifully muscled and bronzed young Roman god… But if you were unlucky, you couldn't swipe away. † You just had to deal with it.
Although the term "party" sounds very positive, it wasn't so much a party that I personally would get excited about. Leaving aside the grab bag issue, it was mostly a bloody feast, in which everything revolved around the sacrifice of goats and dogs. The hides were used by men to cover their skin on the one hand and to cut belts on the other. They would run half-naked through the streets, swinging the oars around. They mainly tried to hit women, because that would lead to fertility.
Doesn't really sound like a fun party. But hey, to each his own, huh? It was also a pagan party. Fie! Pope Gelasius therefore soon stopped the annual festivities at the end of the 4 e century. I suspect that the Pope then took that martyr on death row again and knitted a nice story about it. The pagan fertility festival turned into St. Valentine's Day—a day earlier, on February 14. According to traditions, that was the date on which Saint Valentine was killed.
That poor Valentine. He believed in love so strongly that, even if it was against the law, he secretly let Roman soldiers marry their loved ones. The emperor was convinced that married men would perform less well in the army.
On the day that Valentine had to say goodbye to this world, he wrote his beloved a note. Sender:Your Valentine .
So it's clear where sending a card or love letter on Valentine's Day comes from. Declaring love anonymously, by using 'your Valentine' as the sender, or asking someone if he or she wants to be 'your Valentine', has also been clarified here.
Also read:Ideas to do February 14; free but super original
But where does that urge come from to buy gifts for loved ones on Valentine's Day?
Actually, Valentine's Day only became popular with us in the 1990s. And of course it has become a big commercial mess, with the shops from January full of cuddly bears holding hearts, pink and red fake roses, super sweet mega-lollipops in the shape of a heart and boxes of chocolate with 'I love you'. All kinds of rubbish, so.
Do we really need that to show that we love each other? Yes and no. I compare Valentine's Day with Mother's Day or my birthday. Those days when you actually don't want to get anything and that also chatter around beforehand:
What do I actually mean by this? That we still have to buy Valentine's gifts for each other, so that no one feels forgotten on Valentine's Day? Well, you have to decide that for yourself. Do what you like. Does buying a chocolate heart for your husband make you happy? Just do it. He is probably still very happy with it.
There is a good chance that your children will also be crafting something for Valentine's Day at school or, when they are a bit older, want to give a little something to their courtship. For example, my son Sam (8 years) has been dating Puck (8 years) for quite some time now. A beautiful girl, who is sweet and tough.
I am very happy with it, with my potential daughter-in-law. Moreover, her mother and I have become close friends thanks to their courtship, so the soon-to-be in-laws are also doing well. Last year, Puck had Sam made friendship bracelets when she was on holiday in Cape Verde. Sam wears one with her name and Puck wears one with his name. Cute, huh?
Read also: crafts for Valentine's Day, 5 original ideas
Is your son or daughter still looking for an original Valentine's gift, but is it not possible to fly up and down to Cape Verde in the short term? No worries! Then let your child tie, crochet, string or craft friendship bracelets.
Online you will find endless tutorials † Homemade gifts that have been given a lot of time and attention are always positively received. I'm curious if you also have a good idea for a homemade Valentine's gift.
Image used via Shutterstock
