
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
One of the least romantic days of the year is Valentine’s Day. Yes you heard me correctly. The majority of men act like robots, purchasing flowers and chocolate for their sweethearts because that is what everyone else is doing. Many people celebrate the day out of obligation rather than celebration.
Valentine’s Day Activities
Valentines Day is no more a day meant only for the couples. The concept of this special day has broadened its sphere, to include all your loved ones. It is the time to nurture all the special relationships in your life, be it with your parents, siblings, friends or partner. Whether you are a couple or a single, don’t ever let this single day to pass as a futile one. There are numerous activities which you can indulge in and tell your loved ones how much you care. It is obvious that if there is special person in your life, the activity or the treatment will be a different one. Here, we bring you a list of ideas for Valentines Day activities, for couples as well as singles.
Valentine’s Day Activity Ideas
- If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with that ’special someone’, a great idea is to prepare the food of his/her choice and surprise with a candlelit dinner.
- You can always plan a picnic on Valentine’s Day, whether it with your partner, friends or family members. Go to some place that is surrounded by lush greenery and enjoy a fun-filled day.
- If you are single and don’t even have your friends or family members with you, the best way to celebrate your Valentine’s Day is to go to some old age homes or orphanage, with some gifts and sweets.
- In case you are married and have, kids try to spend the day with them by planning an outing. It will be a great idea to have a fun filled day with your family, complete with kids.
- Going out for shopping with your partner and buying the gifts of his/her choice is an exciting way of celebrating your Valentine’s Day.
The idea of partying is yet another excellent way of celebrating your Valentines Day with your friends. Try to surprise your partner of family members with a bash in the evening, with all your close friends invited.
How To Celebrate Your Relationship Thoughts and deeds to truly show you care for each day of this month
It’s not just the things that we say, but the things we do in the name of love that define its meaning. And luckily, Valentine’s Day offers us the perfect opportunity to do so—it’s the one day a year that reminds us to do all of the thoughtful and romantic things we should do every day.
Valentine’s Day is all about love and affection, but oftentimes we find that just one day is not enough to truly show the depth of our feelings. In order to keep those feelings of love and appreciation lasting the entire month of February, here are some tips to help you express your love.
- Look through old photo albums together, or your wedding video
- Go out and play in the snow – snowball fight, sledding, ice skating, or just a walk. Enjoy the winter wonderland.
- Leave a lipstick kiss on the mirror, kitchen window, or any other any frequent traffic area where your love will see it and smile.
- Share a pot of tea and enjoy a nice conversation.
- Try cooking your loved one’s favorite meal from a restaurant.
- Sneak a sweet note into their lunch or briefcase so that they will smile and think of you when they find it.
- Give them a box of candy conversation hearts or another nostalgic Valentine’s Day candy.
- Take a jar and write down all of the things you both have said you would like to do – seeing a play, having a picnic, or learning to play chess. From time to time, pull an item from the jar and enjoy the activity together.
- Go ahead and give into the spirit of the holiday by writing them a poetic love note and seal it with a kiss.
- Do something that really suites their interests versus your shared interests, such as watching a sporting event together or going to hear a talk about local wildlife.
- Host a board game night. Sometimes a little friendly competition can be a nice change of pace.
- Show special care by making fancy dessert that you’ve never attempted before.
- Hit the gym together for a little healthy activity and to blow off some workweek steam.
- Watch some old romantic movies together.
- Make and bring them breakfast in bed.
- Write your special someone a sweet message and place it in a bottle.
- Leave a loving note or candy on their pillow.
- Learn something new together, such as signing up for ballroom dance lessons or a cooking class.
- Schedule a double date with friends you don’t see often.
- Go and listen to live music together or see a play.
- Surprise your loved one with a pampering spa night.
- Send a flirty e-card during the day to offer an unexpected smile.
- Make a coupon book filled with
- Make an old fashioned valentine, complete with red hearts, doilies, and rhyming verse.
- Light candles for dinner as often as possible, even if it’s just for pizza.
- Start a journal to pass back and forth, writing down fond memories, funny stories, and expressions of love and appreciation.
- Make a toast to them at dinner.
- Tell them that you love them every single day.
But if you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a different way? We’ve collected a bunch of unique ideas - special ways to show how much you care about your spouse, family members and friends you cherish.
1. Make up a batch of heart-shaped pancakes for a yummy Valentine’s breakfast or brunch. Just pour the batter in the frying pan in a free-form heart shape and serve with strawberries and whipped cream.
2. Insert candy surprises into balloons before inflating them - add a folded-up Valentine’s message then inflate each balloon. Tie with a red ribbon and attach to your loved one’s chair for them to find Valentine’s morning.
3. Have the children help you prepare red Jello with cinnamon hearts mixed in, mashed potatoes colored with pink food coloring, heart-
shaped cookies and any other creative ways to present your Valentine’s Day meal.
4. Give a hand-made coupon for some work you can do to free-up some time for your spouse or parent. For example, a coupon good for
cleaning Dad’s garage or for a full-house vacuuming for your wife. How about a coupon for your best friend - you can walk her dog or baby sit one evening.
5. Each of you can create individual notes, say 4 or 6 each, to describe a special surprise - a back rub, a bubble bath, kisses from head to toe, a special meal - fold up the notes and toss them into a jar. You can take turns having fun plucking a coupon from the jar and doing what it says.
6. You can prepare this one for your spouse or for your children to enjoy. Write up little notes about how you feel and what they
mean to you and place them around the house along with a candy heart or other treat. Add a riddle at the end of each note about
where to find the next note. At the last note, have something special waiting there. For example, you can be waiting for your
hubby in a candle-lit bubble bath with two glasses of wine. For your children, then can find a teddy bear or other toy or treat.
7. Visit a hospital or chronic care home to pass out small Valentine surprises to the residents. They will enjoy the care and
attention from something so unexpected.
8. No one special to share Valentine’s Day with? Sure you have! You Why not pamper yourself with a candlelit bubble bath, then prepare your favorite gourmet meal and rent the latest comedy video. Or treat yourself to a day at the spa, or a day at the gym with a step or aerobics class. Plan for Valentine’s Day at least a week in advance - you’ll find yourself looking forward to your special treats and your quality time with yourself, by choice.
9. Place a blanket on the floor near the lit fireplace with candles on the mantle and have your Valentine’s meal as a candle-lit
picnic with a bottle of your favorite bubbly.
10. Little notes in their lunch boxes, on the bathroom mirror, in his briefcase, stuck on the car windshields, in his underwear drawer I’m fortunate to have you!
11. Make sure you wear old clothes for this one and plan this escapade where cleanup will be easy (no carpets, please!) Make up a batch of chocolate pudding. Feed each other and wind up having a food fight! Ideally, this is more fun in your birthday suits, then the pudding won’t go to waste where it lands! (smile) Guaranteed for loads of giggles between the two of you - take a shower-for-two after this one and wash each other’s
chocolate-flavored hair!
12. Take turns writing a love letter or love poem to each other. Read them out loud
13. Plan some community work - help out at the local shelter, volunteer at your local church, work with other volunteers to spread some caring amongst your community.
14. Spend some quality fun time with your niece or nephew or other child in your family.
15. Call your favorite aunt whom you haven’t seen since she moved far away, or your best friend who transferred to another country let them know you’re thinking of them this Valentine’s Day
16. Have you wanted that delicate pair of earrings for awhile but kept putting off the purchase? Give yourself a special Valentine’s Day gift
17. Write him or her a poem - can’t write? Try out the poem generator on http://www.whimsies-online.com/valentine.htm for fun! Print out your creation and place it on your loved-one’s night table for when they awake!
Remember That A Relationship Doesn’t Define Who You Are
Just like when someone asks you what you do for a living, the same goes for your relationship status: whatever your situation, it isn’t the end-all explanation of who you are as a person. Being single isn’t something to be ashamed of, and whether or not you are in a relationship doesn’t say anything about who you are as a person.

