Valentine's Day is a great occasion to remind people of your feelings, make a pleasant surprise, and give emotions to those around you. Even a small sign of attention on this day can make a big difference. Find out more about the history of Valentine's Day, interesting facts about this holiday, and great gift ideas

On February 14, many countries around the world celebrate Valentine's Day, a warm, romantic and very bright holiday. This is a day when you want to stop in the midst of your daily routine, say important words, hug a loved one, thank them for their support, and just make someone's day a little better.

Valentine's Day has long been a symbol of attention, care and sincere emotions. Someone plans a romantic dinner, someone prepares a small gift or card, and someone just finds time to be together. In this article, we've compiled a brief history of the holiday, some interesting facts about it, and gift ideas that will help create a pleasant mood on this day.

The history of Valentine's Day: how the holiday came to be

The origin of Valentine's Day is associated with several early Christian martyrs named Valentine, who were revered in the Roman Empire in the third century. The most popular legend tells of a priest who secretly married lovers despite Emperor Claudius II's ban on marrying young men. It was believed that family ties made soldiers less dedicated to service, so marriages were restricted for them. Valentine was arrested and executed for violating the order, and later he was honored as a symbol of loyalty and love.

Gradually, the memory of St. Valentine merged with folk beliefs about love and the coming of spring. In medieval Europe, the belief spread that it was in mid-February that birds began to look for a mate, and this image became a romantic symbol for people. During this period, the first love messages, poetic dedications, and exchanges of signs of attention between lovers appeared. It was then that the holiday began to be associated not only with church tradition but also with romantic feelings.

In modern times, Valentine's Day gradually acquired a modern look. With the development of printing, the first mass Valentine cards appeared, and later the tradition of giving flowers, sweets and small gifts spread far beyond Europe. Today, February 14 is seen primarily as a warm occasion to express your feelings, make a nice gesture, or create a special mood for your loved one.

Interesting facts about Valentine's Day

Although Valentine's Day is considered a romantic holiday, over the centuries it has acquired a number of interesting details and traditions that have made February 14 truly recognizable around the world. Today it is not only about love, but also about symbols, habits, and small rituals that millions of people repeat.

1. The first written “valentines” appeared in the Middle Ages - lovers sent each other short love messages and poems.

2. The symbols of the holiday are hearts, cupids and red roses - flowers traditionally associated with passion and feelings.

3. February 14 is considered to be one of the most popular days of the year for love declarations and marriage proposals.

4. The modern culture of Valentine's Day gifts was formed in the twentieth century, when cards, sweets, and flowers became massively available.

5. For many people, this day has long gone beyond a purely romantic holiday and has become an occasion to please not only their loved ones, but also friends or relatives.

How is Valentine's Day celebrated in different countries?

Although February 14 is associated with romance, this holiday has its own special traditions in different parts of the world: from classic candlelit dinners to completely unexpected formats. In some places, Valentine's Day is supported at the state level, while in others it is treated with restraint or even criticism.

France

In France, February 14 is considered a holiday exclusively for adult couples: it is not customary for children to exchange valentines, and for colleagues or friends to give gifts. Lovers usually choose chocolates, flowers, or jewelry, less often alcohol, and spend the evening with a romantic dinner; in Paris, museums and parks organize special events on this day, restaurants prepare festive menus, and cabarets offer themed shows.

Slovakia

In the city of Banska Stiavnica, in the Marina House, there is a so-called “bank of love” - a storage with 100 thousand small drawers where couples can leave memorabilia to commemorate their feelings. The museum is dedicated to Andrey Sladkovich's poem Marina (2910 lines), written for his beloved Maria Pyshlova; on Valentine's Day, they also use a “love meter” that supposedly measures the strength of feelings, and the couple receives a symbolic poem.

India

In India, Valentine's Day has repeatedly been the subject of public controversy: the authorities have called for the abandonment of “Western” traditions and even proposed to celebrate February 14 as “Cow Hugging Day,” appealing to the sacred status of these animals in Hinduism. Over the years, Hindu nationalists have organized rallies against the holiday, and radical groups have threatened public “weddings” for couples who demonstrate their feelings; at the same time, the topic is actively discussed by young people on social media.

Denmark

Denmark has preserved the romantic tradition of Gækkebreve, an anonymous letter with poetry, hand-cut from paper, where the sender's name is encrypted with dots. The letter is enclosed with a snowdrop, and if the recipient guesses the name of the secret admirer, he or she is supposed to give them an Easter egg for Easter, a kind of “deferred” gesture of attention.

Japan and South Korea

In East Asia, February 14 is considered a “men's day”: women give men chocolate to colleagues and friends (giri choco), and special, often handmade chocolate (honmei choco) to their loved ones. A month later, the “White Day” is celebrated, when men reciprocate with gifts (traditionally white chocolate), and in South Korea, on April 14, they celebrate the “Black Day” - a meeting for those who did not receive gifts on previous dates with symbolic “black noodles.”

China

China has its own “Valentine's Day” - Qixi (“Night of Sevens”), which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar and is associated with the legend of lovers who are connected once a year by a bridge of birds. In addition, the date “520” (May 5), which is similar to the phrase “I love you,” has become popular; both days are not official holidays, but are of particular importance to young people.

Norway

Norway has confidently included February 14 in the annual calendar: on the eve of the holiday, people actively buy roses, order gala dinners, and some prepare for marriage proposals. There is a belief that birds find a mate on this day, so seeing a feathered couple on February 14 is considered a good sign for love.

How to choose a gift for Valentine's Day: universal ideas

When choosing a gift for February 14, you should focus not on trends, but on the emotion you want to give to a person. For some people, romance is important, for others, practicality, and for others, time spent together is what matters most. A successful gift is not necessarily something expensive, but a thing or gesture that matches the character and lifestyle of your significant other.

1. Shared experiences instead of things. A romantic dinner, tickets to a concert, theater, or a short trip can leave much more vivid memories than any material gift. This format is especially well suited for those who value emotions and time together.

2. Practical gifts with emotional overtones. A stylish accessory, a warm hoodie, a mug, or a travel item can become a part of everyday life and remind you of the person who gave it to you.

3. Personalized details. A postcard with warm words, a short confession, or a small symbolic detail makes even a simple gift more meaningful. It is these little things that are often remembered the most.

4. Gifts for couples. Pairing items, themed accessories, or small home items create a sense of community and “our little tradition.”

5. Universal options without risk. If in doubt, it is better to choose a laconic design and neutral colors - such gifts easily fit into any style and do not look intrusive.

You can find more interesting ideas for Valentine's Day gifts in the article here.

Promotions from Visit World as a good gift option for Valentine's Day

If you want to make a really good gift for February 14 - not just a symbolic one, but one that will bring emotions and pleasant memories, Visit World promotional offers can be a great solution. For Valentine's Day, the platform has prepared favorable discounts on themed goods and services that can be easily selected for different celebration formats: from a small token of attention to an idea for a joint trip.

For Valentine's Day, special 14% discounts are available in two areas at once:

1. 14% discount on the collection of merchandise for Valentine's Day. Stylish and symbolic things that will be suitable as a warm gift for your loved one or a nice token of attention for your loved ones. Use the promo code to get a discount: MERCHLOVE.

2. 14% discount on romantic tours for couples. A gift format that combines emotions, shared experiences, and the opportunity to plan a small trip together. Promo code for this direction: TOURLOVE.

Both promo codes are valid until February 14 inclusive and are applied when placing an order on the Visit World website at the final stage of the purchase. Thanks to this, a gift for Valentine's Day becomes not only pleasant but also profitable. If you have any questions about the choice of goods or booking services, the Visit World team is always ready to advise and help you choose the best option.

Choose a gift that reflects your feelings, shared memories, and future moments, and make this Valentine's Day truly unforgettable.

We remind you! Helsinki is an unexpected destination for Valentine's Day 2026. Read more about saunas by the Baltic Sea, candlelit concerts, winter walks, and ideas for a romantic trip to Finland at the link.

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