Origins of Valentine's Day are unclear. Some historians believe this festival of love started as an ancient Roman tradition related with health and fertility. It probably had a connection with Rome's founders Romulus and Remus and she-wolf who raised them. This festival involved sacrifice of animals like goats and dogs and other sometimes pretty weird rituals.
Other historians like to relate the holiday of Saint Valentine with the man himself. Unfortunately there are seven candidates with the same name, all somehow related with February 14th, so we still don't know how the celebration of love and romance on February 14th really started. It is without doubt strongly related with transition of winter into spring, it is time when life is returning to Earth, birds start singing and mating again and first flowers show on the surface.
Valentines gifts for her
St. Valentine's Day is for centuries connected with interesting customs and most of them involve gifts. By far the most popular Valentine's gift on the world is a rose, flower of Venus, goddess of love. About two hundred millions of roses are sold on this day and three quarters of that number are bought by men. There will always be a challenge to give original and personalized gift for Valentine's while stay within the limits of tradition.
If you are looking for something original to charm your darling, next sets of presents will give you few ideas for best Valentine's Day celebration ever. Look with your eyes, choose with your heart! If you don't like the thorns, these red throw pillows can make her heart melt too.
Custom coffee mugs (they can be used for tea too) are another way to make her feel warm. Valentine mugs are available in different colors, with different pictures, quotes, with printed name of your choice ... Just use your imagination!
Valentines gifts for him
Custom of giving gifts on Valentine's is at least three hundred years old but card were in general home made.
Most valuable were of course cards with love quotes (often humorous, often mysterious and sometimes so explicit, they were actually banned by the law for some time) and poems which are still in high demand. Another tradition which is still alive is custom of giving clothes. Clothes can be practical but also very intimate and romantic gifts and the same is true for jewelry.
Valentine shirts are not only nice and practical idea for a present, they are also a chance to show your sense of humor. Between 15 and 20 percent of people who celebrate Valentine's Day, buy something shiny to the significant other on this specific occasion. It doesn't have to be expensive, it's the thought that counts.
Unique valentine's day gifts are still the way to go, so don't just pick something, take your time and try to make it as personal as possible. Think about a monogrammed flask, dart board with a funny quote (or picture), personalized dish mat or poker chips...
What about the chocolate? First Valentine' Day box of chocolate was sold in mid-19th century and before the end of the same century chocolate candy was already available in heart shaped box with cute pictures. Nobody knows for sure why chocolate has so important part in the celebration of love but smart marketing certainly didn't hurt.
Happy Valentine and don't forget to stay romantic every day of the year!
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