When is Valentine's Day celebrated in America? American holidays

But you can also borrow a couple of interesting ideas for the next February 14th. Please note that for Americans, and probably Europeans, Valentine's Day has a serious religious background, while in Russia it is simply Valentine's Day, when couples give each other flowers and valentines, go to a cafe, cinema or prepare romantic dinners.

How to stay within $5

My husband and I both don't earn much. Last year on Valentine's Day we agreed to give each other gifts no more than $5. So, I baked heart-shaped sugar cookies, wrapped them in fancy packaging I found at home, attached two large heart-shaped balloons ($1 each), and took him to work as a gift. When he returned from work, I lit candles throughout the house and prepared a hot bath filled with colorful balloons and toy boats (I spent $3 on all of this).

It was our best Valentine's Day ever! We plan to continue to stick to the $5 cash limit to see how far our imagination can go.

Sarah Deaton, Montana

Timely Reminder

We often make the mistake of thinking that we are not worthy of love if we are not romantically involved with anyone, especially when Valentine's Day comes around. Last year, on February 14th, I decided to throw a party for the teenage girls with whom fate brought me together, so that they would realize that this is not so. We had a wonderful time: we played, then we prayed a little, had a delicious lunch and just talked.

I hope that each of the girls took home not only a box of chocolates, but also the realization that being lonely on Valentine's Day is not so bad, after all, the main thing is that Christ loves us - and this is the best gift of all.

Laura Wagner, Michigan

Boy, that's red food!

A couple of years ago, I started dating a guy just before Valentine's Day. When he invited me to a gala dinner, naturally I couldn’t come empty-handed, but I absolutely didn’t know what to give a single man for Valentine’s Day?!

An unexpected decision came to me. I remembered that all bachelors love snacks, so I bought a whole basket of red food: apples, fruit roll-ups, chips with Mexican dip, jerky, canned red beans, and candy in red foil. Of course, it was not the most romantic gift, but my future boyfriend appreciated it!

Cammie Smith, Illinois

Home cooking fun

When we were in college, my roommate, a future elementary school teacher, once asked me to be a guinea pig for her Valentine's Day homework assignment. We cut out hearts from wrapping paper and napkins and wrote Bible verses about love on each one, like “A friend will always love you” (Proverbs 17:17) and “The Lord our God... will comfort you with his love” ( Zephaniah 3:17). Our friends and family really liked the result of our creativity.

Karen Sullivan, Washington State

A little about fish

Last Valentine's Day, I bought a bag of fish-shaped candies and some chocolates (I think this is a must-have gift for any holiday) and put it all in a red container. On the card I wrote a limerick about how many fish there are in the sea, but until we find our fish, we will just enjoy life and our friendship, and I gave it to my lonely friend. I was very pleased to please someone who feels lonely by giving a gift on Valentine's Day. This makes our life a little brighter and more beautiful.

In America, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated later than in Europe, or rather, since 1777.

At the beginning of the last century in America, it was customary to send marzipan to your brides on Valentine's Day. But marzipan was with sugar, which was then considered an expensive delicacy. This tradition became popular after sugar beets began to be widely used in the food industry in 1800.

The Americans immediately began producing caramel and scratching words corresponding to the holiday on the candies. The caramels were made red and white. The red color symbolized passion, and the white color symbolized the purity of love. In the 50s sweets began to be packaged in heart-shaped cardboard boxes.

But Americans brought something of their own to the tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day. A week before the holiday, schoolchildren make hearts out of papier-mâché, paint them and write various inscriptions on them. These hearts are presented as a gift to lonely, unhappy and sick people.

Valentine's Day always evokes pleasant feelings, but in the USA in 2005, a tragic incident occurred on this day. We are talking about a mass suicide attempt by 31 women.

The suicide was organized by 26-year-old resident of Klamath Hill (Oregon) Gerald Crane. It turned out that he was using the Internet to seek out depressed women in order to enter into a “pact” with them to commit mass suicide on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine's Day is a holiday that has a very complicated history. There are several different versions of its creation - some say that it appeared thanks to ancient Roman festivals, others indicate that a certain saint was to blame for everything, who secretly married girls to soldiers who were not allowed to marry due to their duty. Still others generally view this celebration with great skepticism, believing that this holiday was established by sellers of cards and flowers. Be that as it may, every year on February 14, millions of people from all over the planet use this official opportunity to declare their love to their loved ones. According to the most popular sources, this holiday has its roots in medieval England. Of course, we could talk about how we celebrate it - but in Russia on February 14th it is cold and damp. Therefore, we will discuss how Valentine's Day is celebrated in the USA. In America, this holiday is considered one of the most popular - and, in general, for good reason. Valentine's Day came to the New World with European settlers, and at first did not receive popular recognition. Perhaps a significant role in this matter was played by the fact that the time was difficult for Americans at that time, and, quite likely, not particularly conducive to the outpouring of tender feelings. The popularity of this holiday grew significantly closer to the middle of the nineteenth century - it was then that Esther Howland, who was born in Massachusetts, began to mass produce cards dedicated to this holiday - “Valentines”. The Howland family had their own printing business, and one day Esther came up with the idea of producing various cards for Valentine's Day. The idea of an enterprising American woman exceeded her wildest expectations. Only a little time passed, and the income from the production of valentines was already in six figures. How is this holiday celebrated in the USA? So how is Valentine's Day celebrated in America? They give a lot of these very postcards. In fact, one in four cards in the United States is a Valentine's card, with only Christmas cards being more popular. Esther Howland was even given something like the official status of “Mother of Valentine’s Day” for her enormous contribution to the development of the holiday. At first they did not give gifts, and they began to do this en masse only at the end of the last century. In addition to the traditional sweets, flowers and hearts for ladies, the share of electronic gadgets and many other useful things is gradually beginning to increase. This holiday in America is celebrated not only by adults - children also join them. At school on this day you can watch a variety of performances and plays, performances with dances and songs. Not only classmates receive valentines, but also school teachers. Of course, a lot of weddings take place on this day - the rush usually occurs in Las Vegas. At the moment, Valentine's Day is a holiday not only for American lovers. With them, he now has something like civil status - you can congratulate any friends and even work colleagues.

62% of adults say they celebrate this holiday.

23% of American adults buy flowers on Valentine's Day: 61% of them are men, 39% are women.

In the first place are bouquets of different flowers. Red roses are on the 2nd. 3rd place – roses of other colors. 4th – other flowers, 5th – indoor plants in pots. In 2006, almost 99 thousand people were employed selling flowers in stores.

Americans spend $8.6 million on sparkling wine in .

$450 million is spent annually on candy.

About 8 billion sweet hearts are produced annually. This amount is enough to pave a path from Rome (Italy) to a place called Valentina (something like a village in Arizona) back and forth 20 times. Most of these candies are sold between January 1st and February 14th.

The American Valentine's Day Association created a giant chocolate heart in 1990. It weighed 350 pounds, was 7 feet high, and was 5 inches deep.

Giving became a tradition around the beginning of the 20th century. And the first postcards for commercial sale were printed in the late 1700s. These days, more than 180 million people exchange postcards.

About 2.2 million marriages took place in the United States in 2007. 126,354 of them took place in the state of Nevada (where Las Vegas is located).

If you look at the calendar, you can successfully find a suitable holiday every day. These are professional dates and unusual celebrations, folk signs and church holidays.

But holidays that have gained international popularity, built on age-old traditions and glorifying human feelings are especially loved and revered. All these qualities are absorbed by everyone’s favorite holiday – Valentine’s Day.

On February 14, lovers in most civilized countries rush to congratulate their other halves on the holiday of the most beautiful feeling - love.

On this day there is a great opportunity to shout about your feelings to the whole world or quietly hint.

After all, even the most ordinary drawn heart on this day becomes a flashy symbol.

But few lovers know that on February 14, Valentine's Day has been celebrated for 16 centuries. And the number of Valentine's Day did not appear by chance.

All peoples who worshiped pagan gods had their own specific holidays, during which these gods were glorified and special ritual events were held.

The holiday of Lupercalia fell on February 14 in Ancient Rome. There are several interpretations of the celebrations themselves. God was the patron of flocks, and the people, honoring him, happily indulged in festivities and pleasures.

But according to another version, it was on this day that a sexual festival took place. The holiday was dedicated to the choice of couples. This is an unusual ancient method of either matchmaking or pimping.

The names of all the girls who had reached the age of marriage, but did not have their other half, were written on parchment. All sheets of paper were placed in one basket. Then the guys entered the game. They pulled out a piece of paper with a name from this basket.

Only chance or fate could bring the young man together with his beloved. The remaining participants in the fun were forced to form pairs. They had to live together for a whole year.

And even if they did not have feelings for creating a family union, this time was enough for the birth of new inhabitants of the Roman State.

In addition to holding love lots, the holiday was accompanied by unusual fun of an erotic inclination. So, young handsome men, having taken off their clothes, ran completely naked through the streets of the city to whip the young ladies they met with belts. Young and not quite virgins were in no hurry to resist them, but gladly exposed their naked bodies to the rods.

Similar holidays with an erotic slant were held not only in Ancient Rome. Many nations had their own rituals and ceremonies associated with the creation of love couples. In fact, it was these customs that served as the basis for the appearance of everyone’s favorite holiday in February.

Valentine's Day: history of the holiday

Since the holidays of the ancients were closely associated with pagan rituals and the worship of various gods and deities, with the advent of the Christian faith on the territory of European states, the question of banning such celebrations arose. But how can holidays that have become beloved by the crowds be banned? How can you make people forget their usual rituals?

And the priests of the Catholic Church did not break spears, but took a simple path. The best way to ban is substitution.

Therefore, many holidays that are familiar today actually have pagan roots.

Thus, the Celtic holiday Samhain turned into All Saints' Day, even Christmas replaced the pagan holiday dedicated to the god Saturn. And instead of sexual and erotic festivals, Valentine's Day appeared.

Indeed, the idea of Valentine's Day comes from the Catholic Church.

The holiday received its own patron, who helps all lovers and was canonized by the church in the 5th century, when a special holiday appeared. Many people liked this change, and the holiday quickly won its fans.

Patron saint of the holiday: the story of St. Valentine

Why was Saint Valentine chosen as the patron saint of lovers and the holiday of the same name? What is the merit of the young man?

There are several beautiful legends that reveal the fate and feat of Valentine in different ways. But they are all connected with love and romantic, and at the same time tragic stories.

Valentin was either a priest, or a doctor, or one and the other at once. The stories agree on one thing: the events took place during the time of Emperor Julius Claudius. Some of the ruler's decisions were despotic. So, he categorically forbade his legionnaires from starting families. Allegedly, relationships with women deprive fighters of strength and spirit. And their task is to devote themselves completely to the protection of their ruler and sacred lands.

But he couldn’t stop the fighters from falling in love. Feelings flared up, but there was no one to unite their hearts, since the priests were simply afraid of the death penalty that threatened them if they violated the harsh decree.

Only Valentin went against the despot. The priest secretly married the lovers, despite threats and danger. But the secret still became the property of the ruling circles, and Valentin was thrown into prison.

According to another legend, a young man named Valentin, who knows how to heal people, ends up in prison. It was for his unusual healing abilities that he was thrown behind bars.

Directly in prison, the guard brings his blind daughter to Valentin, either a priest or a doctor, to whom the guy restores her sight. Tender feelings flare up between the young people. The young man confesses them in his letter to his beloved. But they never managed to unite their destinies, since the execution took place on February 14. The girl managed to receive a romantic message, which became the prototype of today's Valentines.

Therefore, Rome is considered the birthplace of Valentine's Day, and not America, as some of our compatriots mistakenly believe.

Valentine's Day: congratulations and traditions in different countries

Over the 16-century history of Valentine's Day, the holiday has spread not only throughout Europe, but also into Asian countries, and even crossed the ocean to settle in America.

According to beliefs, on this day any young lady or guy can talk about their feelings, and the chosen one must reciprocate or give a justified refusal.

This tradition in different countries and at different times was played out with radically opposite rituals. But the habit of getting married on Valentine's Day has remained in many countries.

Valentine's Day in Russia

In the countries of the former Soviet Union, Valentine's Day came with its own traditions and rituals.

Many people are happy to give Valentine's cards on February 14th. And not only loved ones, but even those people whom they simply sympathize with.

Not only cards are given, but also crafts in the shape of hearts. Any souvenir made in the appropriate theme will be suitable.

Organizing romantic meetings and dinners has become a common pastime for lovers, as well as just youth groups.

Dishes that look like hearts must be placed on the tables. For parties, competitions of a fun erotic nature are selected. On the contrary, lovers are looking for ways to be alone, for which they go on trips or devote time only to each other.

Valentine's Day in England

The English adopted the Roman ritual of the erotic festival. In the companies gathered on Valentine's Day, the guys chose their “Valentine”. This happened by drawing lots. The names of the young ladies are written on pieces of paper that future “Valentines” pull out of a hat.

The guy was entrusted with the responsibilities of a real “knight”. Over the next year, he was obliged to accompany his “chosen one,” sing songs to her and dedicate poems and heroic deeds to her.

Children dress up in adult clothes on Valentine's Day. And such little “Valentines” go from house to house singing songs about the patron saint of the holiday. Wooden spoons were given to loved ones as a symbolic gift. They must be made with their own hands and decorated with various hearts.

Today in England the holiday has expanded its borders.

They congratulate not only their own kind, but also their beloved pets.

The tradition is strange, but nevertheless, some Englishmen confess their love to dogs or horses.

Valentine's Day in America

Practical Americans have sweet ideas. It was the inhabitants of the Western continent who came up with the idea of giving sweets back in the 19th century. The popular marzipan was a rather expensive treat due to the high cost of sugar included in the treat. Therefore, such a gift was considered simply chic in those days.

As the sugar industry developed in America, the custom became more popular. There were even themed red and white caramel candies. Red symbolized the passion of the lovers' feelings, and white their purity.

In the middle of the 19th century, a tradition arose of placing such sweets in boxes that were made in the shape of hearts.

Valentine's Day in Japan

Valentine's Day came to Japan in the 1930s. The initiator of the distribution was a famous confectionery factory. This was a kind of advertising campaign that took root in the land of the rising sun. The factory produced chocolate, so it became a tradition to give chocolates on February 14th.

But modern Japanese have turned the holiday into actually a men's day. It is they who are congratulated on this day, and they are given not so much chocolate as various men's accessories. Exactly one month later, their chosen ones receive gifts in return - white chocolate.

And in Japan, it is customary to shout loudly about your love, for which couples take turns shouting from a special platform.

Happy Valentine's Day greetings in other countries

Romantic French people write poems as congratulations. Brief but beautiful quatrains are written on miniature postcards.

This custom has come to us as well. The French also give jewelry on this day. And not just trinkets, but real expensive jewelry for Valentine's Day.

The Poles try to visit the Poznan metropolis on Valentine's Day, where there is a miraculous icon of St. Valentine. It is to this icon that pilgrims come to pray, asking for help in love affairs.

The Italians called the holiday sweet. This is due to the tradition of giving exclusively sweets for the holiday. On Valentine's Day, every Italian man considers it his duty to give his lady, girlfriend, wife, mother, daughters delicious sweet gifts.

But the Germans consider Valentine the patron saint of mentally ill people. Therefore, in Germany, February 14 is the Day of the Mentally Ill, when hospitals are decorated with scarlet ribbons, and specific services are held in churches. Although every person in love is a little unbalanced, the feeling of love itself can be explained as a mental disorder.