How Valentine’s Day started
For most of us, Valentine’s Day is associated with red roses, luxury chocolates and plenty of romance. That said, not too many people really know how this tradition started. Like most other traditions, this celebration can be traced back centuries to the time of Emperor Claudius II.
Marriage outlawed
During the third century, Emperor Claudius II believed that single men were better soldiers than those who were married and had children. Single men had nothing to hold them back and perhaps this is why he thought that they were more willing to risk their lives. This led to him outlawing marriage for men and this is where Saint Valentine decided to go against the law by performing marriages despite the ruling.
The martyr
Sometime around 270 A.D. Saint Valentine was caught and sentenced to death. This is why so many people started celebrating this day – to honour the fact that he stood against this law and performed marriage ceremonies without any regard for his own life or safety. In a sense, Saint Valentine really proved to be as brave (or more so) than any soldier on the battlefield. By going against his own emperor, he secured his fate. Of course, February 14th was not declared St Valentine’s Day until the 5th century and it took even longer for people to start associating this occasion with love and romance.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day now
Keeping in mind that there were people who went through such a troublesome time that they were forbidden to get married, it makes such a celebration that much more meaningful. Today we have the freedom to choose our partners and show our affections in the most dramatic ways.
If you want to spoil your partner or spouse this year, remember that it’s all about the thought. Red roses are the top choice when it comes to flowers. However, if they are not exactly within your budget, you could always opt for other red flowers, a pink bouquet or even a bunch of their favourite flowers. Many florists include chocolates with certain arrangements or you can add a box of chocs to your order. Combo gifts make it easy to shop for everything you need in one place. You can choose from combos that include flowers, chocolates, a bottle of bubbly, a cuddly teddy bear and a balloon. Take your pick based on your partner’s preferences and your budget.