How Valentine's Day is Celebrated in Countries Around the World

Valentine's Day is a day to show how much you care, whether to sweethearts, family members or friends. Countries around the world have different celebrations or customs. This article will look at the way other countries celebrate this romantic day.

France

Valentine's Day in France, called Valentine's Day Festival, is celebrated with cards, flowers, and gifts on February 14. An old Valentine's Day custom in France was called "drawing for love." Single people of all ages would enter homes that were directly across from each other. Then they would call out the windows to each other until eventually pairing off with someone. If the man ended up not liking the woman he picked, he would just leave her. At some point a fire would be built and the women who were rejected would burn images of the men who rejected them, all the while using abusive language against them to show their anger. This custom was banned, although it was probably good therapy for the women.

Japan

In Japan, Valentine's Day is observed on February 14 but goes on for one month, ending on March 14, which is known at White Day. On February 14, women give gifts to the men they love. Giving chocolate is the most popular gift. Many Japanese women make their own chocolates as they feel that store bought is not good enough. There is also a tradition called giri-choco where women give chocolate to men with whom they are not romantically involved, men who are just friends. Then, one month later on March 14, White Day, men are supposed to give white gifts to the women they received gifts from.

Scotland

Valentine's Day in Scotland is observed on February 14. Adults and children alike celebrate with cards and gifts showing affection. A popular game that is played at parties on Valentine's Day in Scotland is that an equal number of women and men get together. Each man writes his name on a piece of paper which is folded. Then the papers are placed into a hat. Each lady draws a piece of paper and she is paired with that man for the rest of the party. In some cases, the couples get married.