Valentine's Day Trivia and Romantic Ideas

A veil of mystery dotted with fragments of legend surround the actual roots of the Valentine's Day celebration. According to some scholars, once a pagan fertility observance on February 15, this celebration was reinvented and later established as a Christian feast day, tagged St. Valentine's Day in 496.

By some counts, St. Valentine's Day and "romance" were not associated until 1381, when according to Henry Ansgar Kelly, a UCLA medieval scholar; Chaucer stepped in with a poem he wrote to celebrate the engagement of England's Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. Read Chaucer's poem, "The Parliament of Fowls." Is this the first poem linking love with the St. Valentine's Day celebration?

St. Valentine's Day Progression

In Britain and eventually in the American Colonies, the practice of giving a simple gift or card of caring expression on St. Valentine's Day became the trend on February 14. Of course, cards were handmade and delicately embellished with cupids, ribbons, lace, and hearts.

Most likely, the cards were craftily penned, with love poems, amusingly sweet and heartfelt conveyances. Learn how to make a Valentine's Day celebration card here and surprise your significant other.

Modern Valentine's Day Traditions

At one time, it was traditional for a man to display his affection with a bouquet of roses or a box of fine chocolates on Valentine's Day. Women got a bit bolder and they, too, presented their love interest with gifts. Since the 1980's ,Valentine's Day gifts of diamonds and fine jewelry have been standard gift-giving procedure for men and women due in part to creative marketing by jewelers.

Impress Your Valentine's Day Sweetheart

Valentine's Day offers sweethearts the opportunity to express not only their love, but their creative side as well. Romance is the key to this special day. Think outside the box and consider incorporating some of the following ideas into your Valentine's Day plans.

1 - Prepare a fireside picnic on a red velvety blanket for your Valentine's Day honey. Add vanilla or rose-scented candlelight, aged wine, light appetizers and let love sizzle.

2 - By candlelight: Listen to romantic, sexy music by Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra.

3 - Declare your love in a hand-written epistle using a quill pen and parchment. Find instructions here.

4 - Stay home and dress to the hilt. Wear an evening dress or tuxedo and order your favorite take-out food.

5 - Watch an ultra-romantic movie with your lover. Emily Bronte's' "Wuthering Heights," is a stunning portrayal of endless love in late 18^th Century England.

Valentine's Day Marriage Proposal

Valentine's Day is also one of the most romantic days of the year to ask for your beloved's hand in marriage. Whether you propose in public or in private, a proposal is definitely going to make your Valentine's Day celebration extraordinary. Do not forget the diamond, chocolates and roses, though!

Sources:

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/valentinesdayhistory.html

http://www.potw.org/archive/potw313.html

http://www.amazon.com/Chaucer-Saint-Valentine-Medieval-Studies/dp/9004078495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262097548&sr=1-1