The joy of celebrating Valentines Day

It’s always fascinating to look back at the history of our current ceremonies and special occasions. Valentine's Day has a rich and complex history, with roots in both ancient Roman festivals and Christian traditions and here we explore that history and it‘s culmination  in the modern  event:

Lupercalia is an ancient Roman fertility festival that was held in mid-February and may have influenced modern Valentine's Day. It involved rituals like animal sacrifice and matchmaking, not quite the romantic event we celebrate today.

St. Valentines Day is associated with one or more early Christian martyrs named     Valentine. One legend tells of a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriages for young men while another legend claims Valentine sent a love letter signed "From your Valentine" to his jailer's blind daughter, whom he had cured. This is more in line with our current Valentines Day celebration.

Evolution of Romantic Love developed as courtly love blossomed during the Middle Ages. The concept of courtly love was characterized by idealized and often unattainable romantic ideals but grew to flourish during that period. Valentine's Day became associated with this romantic tradition.

Greeting Cards developed as the exchange of handwritten love letters and poems devolved into the tradition of sending Valentine's Day cards gaining popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Modern Valentine's Day is now a significant commercial event, with billions of dollars spent on gifts like flowers, chocolates, and jewellery. It's a global event celebrated worldwide as a day for expressing love and affection, not just romantic love, but also for family and friends.

Here are some modern ways to celebrate Valentine's Day:

Experiences Over Material Gifts:

• Couples' Cooking Class: Learn to make a new cuisine together.
• Escape Room Challenge: Test your teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Wine Tasting Tour: Explore local vineyards or breweries.
• Hot Air Balloon Ride: Enjoy breathtaking views together.
• Spa Day: Indulge in relaxing massages and treatments.

Tech-Savvy Celebrations:

• Virtual Date Night: If you're long-distance, enjoy a virtual dinner or game night.
• Create a Joint Playlist: Compile your favourite songs to listen to together.
• Write Love Letters: Express your feelings in heartfelt written words.
• Personalized Video Montage: Create a video with photos and memories.

Meaningful Gestures:

• Volunteer Together: Give back to your community as a couple.
• Plan a Future Trip: Start dreaming about your next adventure together.
• Write Down Your Love Languages: Learn and appreciate each other's love styles.
• Express Gratitude: Tell your partner what you love and appreciate about them.

Remember: The most important thing is to spend quality time together and show your love and appreciation in a way that is meaningful to both of you But of course, a thoughtful gift that can be used daily or kept as a memento will never go unappreciated.

At newsXpress Sunbury and to an extent on our website at brenita.com.au, we have cards and gifts to help make your Valentines just a little bit more special.

I hope this gives you some inspiration for a unique and memorable Valentine's Day!