Roses are red, violets are blue, who will be buying some flowers for you? Why is the rose the most popular flower to give on Valentine’s Day? Where did Valentine’s Day originate from? What are the traditions behind Valentine’s Day? How many cards will our gorgeous team get this year? We might not be able to answer the last question but we have had a look into the rest...
© There are a many theories behind
the origins of Valentine’s Day but our favourites are:- In third century Rome, Emperor Claudius outlawed marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers than those with families. Realising the injustice of this, one priest named Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret for young couples. Claudius found out about these secret ceremonies and ordered Valentine be put to death.
- The first Valentine’s greeting was sent from a prison cell where Valentine fell in love with a young girl, possibly the jailor’s daughter. Before his death, He sent her a letter signed “from your Valentine”.
- In 1537, King Henry VIII declared, by Royal Charter, that all England would celebrate February 14 as "Saint Valentine's Day". Over time, Saint Valentine became the accepted Patron Saint of Lovers and February 14th became the traditional date for exchanging messages and tokens of love.
© You may have been forced to endure a speed dating night by one of your friends but count yourself lucky. During the medieval era, English maidens and bachelors put their names into a box; pairs of names were drawn out and those chosen had to become a couple for a whole year. The man was bound by duty to protect his chosen lady and to wear her name on his sleeve!
© If you have a family, the Norfolk
tradition that Jack Valentine is a lovable yet mysterious character who on the
eve of Valentine’s Day will knock at children’s doors and leave them treats and
presents might be one you want to keep to yourself!
© Are you racking your brains for a
popular wedding favour for your big day? We think the Welsh who celebrate
Valentine’s Day on the 15th January have a fantastic idea. It is
customary for Welsh couples to give love-spoons with symbolic designs. This age-old tradition possibly originated among sailors who would carve spoons and give
them to a lady they were interested in marrying. Patterns include keys to
signify a man’s heart and wheels to show his hard work. What would be your
design?
© However, our favourite here in
the office is the tradition in Denmark and Norway where men will send poems to
their desired giving them a clue as to who sent it by signing off with little
dots which represent the amount of letters in their name. If the recipient
guesses the sender correctly, she is entitled to an Easter Egg a few months
later. If she cannot guess her secret admirer, she owes him an Easter Egg!
We do hope
on February 14th you will be a washed with love-spoons, poems, roses
and chocolates. Should you need to send a last minute bouquet, don’t forget our lovely florists, Gardenia, Lavender Green, Seasons Florists and Richard Elder – they will be more than happy to help!
Happy
Valentine’s Day from all at the Events Team!
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