2010-02-12T03:40:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day

Valentines Day is a day to express your love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. You will love this absolutely for valentine's day site, where you can celebrate the spirit of this day of lovers, and all of it is free! We have one of the best selections for love greetings for the occasion, recipes, history, and much more.

Meaning Of Valentine

The word "Valentine" has two meanings. It can imply a card sent or given to a sweetheart) on Saint Valentine's Day. It can also indicate any particular person, especially a sweetheart, chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day.

Both implications of the word come from a time long long ago. At a turbulent period of Roman History, when a crumbling Roman empire was facing hostilities from all sides, the country needed valiant soldiers who would be ruthless and able to lay down their lives for the cause of the motherland. Emperor Claudius II felt that marriage was becoming a serious impediment in building a strong national defence as married soldiers felt disinclined to stay away from home for a long time. He issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers. But a kindly priest Valentine came to the rescue of young Romans and secretly married them off. But this good time was not long to last for Claudius II soon got wind of Valentine's actions and had him arrested. Though initially impressed by Valentine's personality and courage, the emperor tried to force his order on him and is even said to have attempted to convert him.
When Valentine refused to obey both royal orders, the incensed emperor ordered his execution.

While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine is believed to have restored the sight of the jailor's daughter with his reported mystical powers. This earned him the friendship of the jailor Asterius as well as his daughter. A little time before his death, Valentine is said to have asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and wrote a farewell message to Asterius' daughter signing it as "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.

The Roman Empire was soon to fall, and its end brought everything back to normalcy. The people never forgot Valentine and they created a holiday in memory of their loving priest. Along with "Valentine's Day", the tradition of sending personal messages also gained popularity among love birds and such handwritten notes of love came to be known as "Valentine", a name drawn from the signature of Valentine's last letter to Asterius' daughter.

The first modern valentines reportedly became popular from the early 15th century. Following his defeat in the battle of Agincourt, the young French Duke of Orleans was captured and confined in the Tower of London for many years. During his captivity, he wrote many poems to his wife. About sixty of these remain and have been preserved among the royal papers in the British Museum.

When printers came in use, a limited number of cards with verses and sketches began to be produced. However, these were smaller and costlier than the handmade cards which were oversized but economical and elaborate.

By the 18th century, it became a common practice in England to exchange hand-made cards on Valentine's Day. People began to create valentine cards for their sweethearts by themselves out of lace or ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts.

Gradually, the American colonies took on the tradition. But it only during the 1840s that Valentine's Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine's Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Regarded as the "Mother of the Valentine", Howland made elaborate "Valentine" cards with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". It was only with Howland's mass production of the Valentine cards that the custom gained popularity in the United States.

With a reduction in postal rates in the early 19th century, the production of Valentines got a greater thrust. It also helped establish the custom of sending anonymous messages or cards to those one admired.

In the 21st century, Valentine's Day has become one of the major holidays in the world, especially in the U.S. where it has spawned a multimillion dollar greeting card industry. As per a survey by the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year in the U.S. are "Valentine"s. This is another evidence of the ever increasing popularity of the "Valentines", that are seen by many as an extension of the old love letters.

A message of love, that is what the "Valentine" is. Try sending one to your special someone on this Valentine's Day.

Five Romantic Ideas for Valentines Day

The February 14th holiday of Valentines Day is the perfect time to ring in the romance. It may be cold and dreary outside, but you can make sure that it's warm and snuggly inside by implementing one of these romantic suggestions for Valentine's Day.

1 Destination: Romance

When money is no object, then your course of action is clear: pack a bag and catch a plane to somewhere sexy and seductive. From Las Vegas to Antigua, luxury hotels are offering a host of amazing get-away weekends for couples. But time is a ticking, so get on the horn now to your travel agent, or better yet check out a discount travel website for last minute deals.

For a less expensive option, look into local B&Bs. Even if it's just a 20-minute drive away, you will feel like you are in a different world - which is all you need to jumpstart the romance. In either case, call ahead to the hotel or booking agent and request champagne for your room.

2 Under the Stars

Even if a destination get-away does not fit in your budget, there are plenty of romantic destinations right in your backyard. An ideal choice is the planetarium. In fact, what is more romantic that a night under the stars? Especially when there isn't snow, sub-zero temperatures and frozen fingers to contend with.

If your town doesn't have a planetarium, call up your local university and ask for the astronomy department; they might have a night sky.

Some planetariums have already jumped on the romance bandwagon and are offering special Valentines Day showings, complete with love songs crooned by Frank Sinatra playing in the background. But even if your planetarium hasn't caught the love bug, the regular showings are still plenty romantic - and probably a good deal less expensive.

3 The Lessons of Love

Check out dance lessons, cooking lessons, horseback riding lessons, or even rock climbing lessons. Whatever you and your partner are in to - or want to get in to - is the prefect choice for a Valentines Day date.

For more inspiration, check Craigslist for local offerings. The Minneapolis Craigslist, for example, featured a recent ad from a massage therapist looking to teach couples the fine art of a perfect backrub.

4 Take to the dance floor.

Dancing cheek to cheek is the quintessential romantic move. Look for local jazz clubs for a quiet intimate setting. Of course, on Valentine's Day, if you really want some privacy, the ideal setting is your own living room. Push the couches and tables back to the wall and string up some white lights. Then turn on your favorite crooner and dance the night away.

5 Write your own Valentine.

With the thousands of greeting cards available for Valentine's Day, the most romantic way to share your love is by doing it with your own words. Just write what is in your heart and even if you are not the poet laureate, your valentine will undoubtedly be a treasured keepsake.

Red Roses for Valentine's Day

Red roses are to Valentine's Day what kisses are to love; they make it that much sweeter. Thanks to their beauty and fragrance, red roses have long been a Valentine's Day symbol.

Whether you can afford to buy single red roses, a small bouquet of red roses combined with other flowers, long-stemmed red roses, or an entire room filled with red roses, the gifts below can convey the depth of your feelings.

Romantic Vacations

Valentine’s Day gives you the scope to make your Valentine realize that he/she has made your life more beautiful and that you cannot live without him/her. The best way to do it is to gift tickets, so that he/she can fly off to his/her favorite destination.

Valentine’s Day offers you with the opportunity to spend some special moments with your beloved. Therefore make the best use of this opportunity and in order to make this Valentine vacation one of thebest vacations of your beloved’s life, you can make a visit to the islands, which have the luxury of sandy beaches and the rippling waters of ocean.

Funny Valentine's Day Gifts for Him for 2010

If you want to make someone smile this Valentine's Day, consider buying funny Valentine's Day gifts for him in addition to a regular present.

Surprise your boyfriend or husband by placing a hot lips "toilet tattoo" on your toilet seat so it's the first thing he sees in the morning. Or how about getting somone a naughty teddy bear or a pen shaped like a lipstick?

These gifts are also perfect for your sarcastic friend who claims to hate Valentine's Day. 2010 Novelty Valentine's Day gifts are a great way to let someone know that you're thinking about him and keep everyone laughing.

When is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is celebrated annually on February 14.

Here are the dates for Valentine's Day 2010-2020

When is Valentine's Day 2010?

Valentine's Day is Sunday, February 14, 2010

When is Valentine's Day 2011?

Valentine's Day is Monday, February 14, 2011

When is Valentine's Day 2012? (Leap Year)

Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14, 2012

When is Valentine's Day 2013?

Valentine's Day is Thursday, February 14, 2013

When is Valentine's Day 2014?

Valentine's Day is Friday, February 14, 2014

When is Valentine's Day 2015?

Valentine's Day is Saturday, February 14, 2015

When is Valentine's Day 2016? (Leap Year)

Valentine's Day is Sunday, February 14, 2016

When is Valentine's Day 2017?

Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14, 2017

When is Valentine's Day 2018?

Valentine's Day is Wednesday, February 14, 2018

When is Valentine's Day 2019?

Valentine's Day is Thursday, February 14, 2019

When is Valentine's Day 2020? (Leap Year)

Valentine's Day is Friday, February 14, 2020

Valentine Present