Saint Valentine’s Day
Tuesday, 07 February 2012
The day of love, gift giving, confessing secret adoration and love, and appreciating one another is upon us again. The 14th of February is widely regarded as the day to go out to dinner with your partner, buy a nice bouquet of flowers, or just a gift in general. If you go to Amsterdam on this day and walk around during your Short Stay in Amsterdam, you will see a lot of couples spending time together, many will be enjoying a lovely meal in order to celebrate this Christian celebration.
Now where does this link, between love and February the 14th, stem from?
Saint Valentine's day refers to one of the few martyrs who were named Valentine; however, it there is no clarity and note to which valentine was inaugurated into Sainthood, and thus who is celebrated. The link between love and Saint Valentine was originally not there, as this link was first made by Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of Parlement of Foules (1382), who specified it in the following manner: For this was on seynt Volantynys day. Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his mate ("For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird comes there to choose his mate"). This was elaborated upon throughout the ages by famous writers such as: Shakespeare, Edmund Spencer, and many more, and has turned into the celebration as we now know it.
Gift giving traditions
The last 50 years have been the most interesting in regards to change in customs and marketing of Valentine's Day. Practices as giving cards became more common, as well as giving chocolates in heart shaped boxes, flowers, candy, or teddy bears holding hearts. The Day of Love also did not go unnoticed by the Jewelry industry, who has promoted it heavily since the 1980's in order to provoke people to buy jewelry.
After the turn of the century, and the ever growing electronic age, Valentine's day has changed. More and more people send messages via e-mail, text messages, social media outlets, and e-cards are ever increasingly replacing the use of normal paper cards. It is not that people choose these predominant free opinions only, since on average they will spend €60,- on their significant other or spouse. Nevertheless, people will not stop there, since it is also popular to give a gift to a furry friend, colleagues, friends, classmates, and teachers. In the United States of America they will spend roughly $ 15 Billion on all sorts of gifts – during this specific day.
What ideas do you have for Valentine's day?
Will you get a special gift for your significant other, spouse, furry friend, friend, family member, teacher, classmate, or friend ? Or will this be the moment to confess your secret adoration, or love for a person who is very special for you and you will take this day to step up and bring this out into the world?
We from Htel Serviced Apartments would like to wish you a successful and memorable Valentine's Day!
