Valentine's Day

I know this post is a little bit late but I wanted to write about something that is quite close to me... romance!! Did you know that Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr? That means that he died trying to help Christians. Below is a little story about one of the many Saint Valentine's... the history is not so clear on this.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493); alongside the woodcut portrait of Valentine, the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273.[11]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine

Anyway, Valentine's Day is one of my favourite holidays because I think it is a good excuse to show care to somebody you love. I do not think that care should only be limited to one day of the year, and to only your partner but if that is all you are capable of, then I guess it is a start ;-)

I know some people hate Valentine's Day because they think it is a day of commercialism and spending, and companies trying to suck money out of you. One of my friends (single, yes haha!!) complains that it is a day created by advertising agencies to sell you bad-quality flowers and cheap overpriced chocolate. I agree that it can be like that, but it is not always... I think it is a good time to get original with your presents!

The key about buying presents for another person is... the other person! Do not try to apply your principles on the gift when you are looking for something for them. It is the wrong approach because they are not you, and have different preferences and also needs. For example, you might not think a printer is a good idea but if it helps a person stop going to the corner shop every time they need to print something out, maybe it is a good present (if a little lacking in romance!!).

Of course you can romanticise it a little bit with some flowers, and a bottle of good red, and maybe a meal that you cooked (do not order takeaway then try and present it as your cooking!!) but the general idea is that you showed you care, because you noticed what the other person needs / does not have.

I love Valentine's Day because it is a challenge to get the right present, to do something that is sweet but not cheesy, and to find an excuse to spend even more money on my loved ones...

Do you like Valentine's Day? What do you like about it? Or maybe you do not like it? How do you spend 14 February if you do not like Valentine's Day? As usual, tell me! ;-)