| Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is a | | | | There are several ways to show ones love and |
| wonderful opportunity to celebrate those we love - to | | | | appreciation on Valentine's Day: |
| reach out to the one we love - to make it a festival of | | | | Valentine's Day Cards are a popular way to show |
| romance and affection. While some people may think, | | | | affection. There are Valentine's Day cards with wise |
| Valentine's Day is just another commercial holiday for | | | | or witty rhymes, open or supple declaration of love, |
| flower and candy shops, Valentine's Day has deeper | | | | beautiful flower arrangements or cuddly teddy bears. |
| roots and does reach in the silent recesses of a | | | | There is something of every taste. |
| human heart. | | | | Valentine's Day Recipes are often special concoctions |
| It all started in the heart of St. Valentine. Valentine lived | | | | made with love and creativity to help celebrate |
| around 270, in the midst of the bloody persecution of | | | | Valentine's Day. After all, doesn't love go through the |
| the Christians. He was martyred by Emperor Claudius II | | | | stomach! Aromatic taste, lovely decoration, romantic |
| in ancient Rome. Saint Valentine died as a Roman | | | | candle light - all helps together to make for an |
| martyr priest. The saga has it that the first "Valentine's | | | | enchanting Valentine's Day. |
| Day" gift was actually sent by the Saint himself to the | | | | Valentine's Day Flowers delight every loving heart. |
| daughter of his jailer, to whom he felt a deep bond of | | | | Flowers are among the most prominent symbols of |
| love. | | | | love. They make the partner feel appreciated and |
| Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains | | | | valued. Valentine's Day flowers may well be the most |
| vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. | | | | important flowers you send all year. Flowers speak to |
| The 14th of February is probably a remnant from a | | | | the heart through their beauty, their simple elegance, |
| period when a pagan festival occurred around that | | | | their uplifting scent and long lasting aroma. When |
| date. It was a day of joyful celebration, embracing the | | | | words fail, say it with flowers! Flowers convey your |
| beginning work in the vineyards and on the fields after | | | | love and care. |
| the long winter months. Valentine's Day as a day of | | | | A Gift Basket for Valentine's Day is another special |
| celebrating love also stems from the belief that this is | | | | and personal gift idea, filled with things your partner |
| the day when birds begin their mating. | | | | loves: a precious aftershave or perfume; a wellness |
| The Christian church adapted this tradition and chose | | | | gift like a relaxing massage; a Candle-Light-Dinner for |
| February 14 as the day to honor Saint Valentine. Saint | | | | two in the favorite restaurant; or Mon Cheri in a |
| Valentine is now considered the patron of lovers and | | | | heart-shaped gift box. |
| the helper of those unhappily in love. | | | | Or give your loved one an extravagant Valentine's |
| Valentine's Day in the middle of the eighteenth century | | | | Day gift - maybe a symbolic tree of the rain forest |
| is summed up in this verse printed in Poor Robin's | | | | with certificate, or a bottle of balsam fir essential oil to |
| Almanac in 1757: | | | | uplift the heart. |
| "This month bright Phoebus enters Pisces, The maids | | | | There are many ways to help celebrate Valentine's |
| will have good store of kisses, For always when the | | | | Day. Any sign of love and care, no matter how big or |
| fun comes there, Valentine's Day is drawing near, And | | | | small, will bring the message of love from one heart to |
| both the men and maids incline To chuse them each a | | | | another. Love flows from the lover to the beloved and |
| Valentine; And if a man gets one he loves, He gives | | | | back again to close a circle, strengthening the bond of |
| her first a pair of gloves; And, by the way, remember | | | | friendship, love and marriage. Valentine's Day is truly a |
| this, To seal the favour with a kiss." | | | | day for sweethearts. It is an old tradition that had its |
| Although no longer a day of honor for Saint Valentine | | | | beginning with Saint Valentine's gift of love. This gift of |
| in the Christian calendar - Valentine was dropped from | | | | love keeps on giving throughout the history of mankind |
| the liturgical calendar in 1969 - Valentine's Day still | | | | for another thousand years to come. Nothing else |
| inspires lovers to the present day to give kind acts of | | | | matters but love. |
| love to one another. | | | | |