Flower Delivery UK 

Valentine's Day Around the World

Valentine's day was probably imported into North America in the 19th Century by
British settlers.  In the the first massed produced valentines on embossed paper lace were
 produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Ester Howland in Massachusetts. 
Her father operated a large book and stationery store, and she took her inspiration from
and English valentine she received.

 In the second half of the 20th century, the practise of exchanging cards was extended to all
manners of gifts in the United States, usually from a man to a women. 
Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates.  In the 1980's the diamond industry
began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewellery.

In recent times Valentine's gifts have extended to all manner of gifts
and indeed have become exploited.  It seems the colour red has become
 more important rather than the actual gift itself.

Thanks to a concentrated marketing effort, Valentine's Day has emerged in Japan
and Korea as a day on which women, and less commonly men, give candy, chocolate or
flowers to people they like.  This has become an obligation for many women,
especially those who work in offices who have to give chocolate to their male co-workers -
sometimes at considerable expense!
By further marketing a reciprocal day called White Day has emerged.
On March 14th men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates
on Valentine's Day.  Many men however, only give flowers to their girlfriends. 
Originally, the return was supposed to be white chocolate or marshmallows - hence 'White Day'.
  However, men have interpreted the name differently and lingerie has become a common gift.

In Korea, there is an additional Black Day on April 14th,
when those who did not receive anything for Valentine's Day or have anyone to give a gift to,
 would gather together to eat Jajangmyun (Chinese style noodles in black sauce). 

In South Korea, there is also a Pepero Day, celebrated on November 11th,
during which young couples give each other romantic gifts.

In Chinese culture, there is a similar counterpart to Valentine's Day. 
It is called 'Night of the Sevens', according to legend the Cowherd and the Weavers Maid meet
 in Heaven on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar.
 The last 'Night of the Sevens' was on August 30 2006.

A different version of the day is celebrated in Japan as Tanabata, on July 7th on the solar calendar.

In Egypt, there is another love day which is on November 4th.  It is called 'The Egyptian Love Day'.

in the Persian culture Sepandarmazgan is a day for love and dates back to the
Great Persian Empire in the 20th Century BC!

According to the Jewish tradition the 15th of August is the festival of love.
 In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards,
where the boys would be waiting for them.  In modern Israeli culture this is a popular day
 to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers.

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (literally 'Day of the enamoured' or
'Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day') is celebrated on 12 June. Again couples exchange gifts
 such as chocolates, cards and usually a flower bouquet. 
This day is chosen probably because it is the day before Saint Anthony's day, known
as the 'marriage saint', when many single women perform popular rituals in order to find
a good husband (or nowadays, a boyfriend). 

In Colombia the Love and Friendship Day is celebrated on the third Friday
 and Saturday in September. In this country the 'Amigo secreto' tradition is quite popular,
 which consists of randomly assigning to each participant
a recipient who will be given an anonymous gift.

This 'Secret Admirer' tradition is alive and well in Britain too.
 So many of the messages we at Flower Delivery |UK send at Valentine's Day are cryptic
or from secret admirers.  The most popular message is 'X'.

In Finland, Valentines Day is called 'Ystavanpaiva' which translates into 'Friend's Day'.
 This day is more about remembering friends rather than loved ones.

In Slovenia, a proverb says that 'St Valentine brings the keys of roots', so on February 14th,
plants and flowers start to grow.  Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when
 the first works in the vineyards and on the fields commence. It is also said that the
 birds propose to each other or marry on that day.  It has only been celebrated as the day of love.
 In some places St Valentine marks the beginning of spring.

in Romania the traditional day for lovers is 'Dragobete' which is on February 24th.
 It is named after a character from Romanian folklore who is supposed to be
 the son of Baba Dochia.  Part of his name is the word 'drag' meaning 'dear',
which can be found in the word 'dragoste' meaning 'love'. In recent years Romania has
started celebrating Valentine's Day but this has drawn a backlash from many groups
and institutions who condemn Valentine's Day for being superficial,
commercialist and imported western kitsch.

In Denmark and Norway 14 February is known as 'Valentinsday'. 
It is not celebrated to a large extent, but some people take time to be romantic
with their partner, or send a card to a secret love. in Sweden it is called 'All Hearts Day'
and was launched in the 1960's by the flower industry's commercial interests. 
It is not an official holiday but its celebration is recognised and the sales of
 flowers and cosmetics are only bettered on Mother's day.

In Britain, of course we all know, Valentine's Day is widely celebrated.
  But there are also local traditions in the UK.  In Norfolk a character called 'Jack' Valentine
 knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children.
 In Wales many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen on 25th January.
 This celebrates the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

Information  courtesy of Wikipedia

To Contact Flower Delivery UK

       UK callers please call us on: 01691  624 555

    International callers please call us on: intl code + 44 1691 624555

You can call us between 9.00am to 4.30 pm Mon to Fri and 9.30 to 11.30 am on Saturdays - UK time.
 

  
          flower delivery         chocolate gifts      flowers and champagne   champagne gifts        home page