Valentine's Day

• February 9, 2010
  
  
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  Valentine’s Day

  Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so here’s a quick guide of how it all started and some ideas to ensure you find a valentine of your very own.

  Saint Valentine’s Day, or Valentine’s Day as it is now more commonly known, is celebration of love and is traditionally an excuse for lovers or prospective partners to express their feelings with flowers, chocolates and cards. It’s estimated that about 1billion valentines are sent out worldwide every year, with an estimated 25million cards received in the UK.

  It is unclear where the holiday originated from; many believe that the tradition began way back in the Roman Empire under the rule of Claudius II in 270AD. The story goes that the emperor believed that unmarried men made better soldiers therefore didn’t allow men to marry during the war; however a Bishop named Valentine went against Claudius’ wishes and held secret wedding ceremonies. For his disobedience, Valentine was jailed and later executed on February 14th, yet before his untimely death, he wrote a love letter to the jailer’s daughter signed “from your valentine”. However it wasn’t until 1537 that Henry VIII officially named the 14th February St Valentine’s Day. The rest is romantic history!

  If you’re lucky enough to have a date for Valentine’s Day this year why not show them how special they are with a bunch of flowers. Along with Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day is the biggest holiday for sending flowers, 73% of those bouquets are bought by men. In the US, 15% of women send themselves flowers – if this sounds familiar register now  and find someone to give YOU flowers this Valentine’s Day! If flowers aren’t your thing how about a sweet treat? Richard Cadbury created the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates in the late 1800’s and the tradition has been going strong every since with more than 35million heart-shaped chocolate boxes being sold every year on February 14th.

  If you’re still looking for a date for this Valentine’s Day  register now  and start looking for your perfect partner. Why not send a wink or a smilie to someone who tickles your fancy? You never know what may happen, and if all goes to plan you’ll be knee deep in romance and sweet nothings by the weekend. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, use the video and webcam tools to express your feelings with a song or perhaps a poem to make someone know how you feel. Finally, if all else fails then follow the age-old tradition and pin 4 bay leaves the corner of your pillow and eat eggs with the yolks removed and replace with salt... yummy!