Archive | February 10, 2008

Valentine Traditions Around the World


Valentine Traditions Around the World

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In Austria it has become customary for a young man to present his loved one with a bunch of flowers for Valentine’s Day.

In Australia during the gold rush, miners who were flushed with new found wealth paid high prices for elaborate valentines. The most extravagant of valentines were made of a satin cushion, perfumed, ornately designed with flowers, colored shells and a taxidermied humming bird or bird of paradise. 

In Britain some unmarried women get up before sunrise on Valentine’s Day. They stand by the window watching for a man to pass. They believe that the first man they see, or someone who looks like him, will marry them within a year.In Denmark people press white flowers called snowdrops and send them to their friends. Danish men send a type of valentine called a gaekkebrev (joking letter). The sender writes a rhyme but does not sign his name. Instead, he signs the valentine with dots, one dot for each letter of his name. If the woman who gets it guesses his name, he rewards her with an Easter egg on Easter. 

In 18th century England unmarried women would pin bay leaves to their pillow on Valentine’s Day in the hope of dreaming of their future husband. Others baked valentine buns with caraway seeds, plums or raisins. 

Remember to order flowers for your VALENTINE EARLY!

Valentine Quiz


Take the Valentine Quiz…

1. What did people used to believe would happen if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day?

2. Who imprisoned Valentine?

3. Why was he imprisoned?

4. On what date was Valentine supposedly executed?

5. How many Valentine cards will be bought in a year?

6. Name 2 countries, other than the U.S., that celebrate Valentine’s Day.

7. In Roman mythology, February 14th is associated with which goddess?

8. What custom does the saying “He wears his heart on his sleeve” come from?

9. What is the flower associated with Valentine’s Day?

10. When did Hallmark make its first Valentine Card?

Bonus question:

How do you write I Love You in German? In French?  In Spanish? In Italian? In Portuguese? In Cantonese?

Click Here for the answers!