Valentine’s Day takes place annually on February 14, which this year falls on a Saturday. The holiday is centered around celebrating romantic love and relationships, and partners will often exchange gifts (such as cards, chocolates, and flowers) or take the opportunity to do something special. Check out our previous articles on Valentine’s Day for more information on its history and popular customs.
While the origins of Valentine’s Day go back centuries, it first started to become popular in the United States and United Kingdom around the 1840s. Couples readily adopted the tradition of exchanging cards and gifts as a part of courtship, with Valentines signifying a desire to be more permanent partners. Esther A. Howland, of Worcester, Massachusetts, is credited with popularizing the heavily decorated, mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards, with personalized messages already written inside, that have become the standard for the holiday’s greeting cards.
In modern times, printed cards are indeed more widely exchanged (Americans spend billions of dollars yearly on Valentine’s Day gifts), but handwritten letters and notes are welcome and heartfelt gifts as well. People have been exchanging Valentine’s Day love letters since the fifteenth century! Today, Valentine’s Day has earned the status of the second largest card-sending holiday of the year worldwide, with only Christmas overtaking it.
Valentine’s Day is not a federal holiday, so you can expect schools, businesses, banks, and government buildings to be operating on normal weekend hours. Expect crowds at restaurants, clubs and bars, and other popular date locations, and try to make reservations in advance if you’re making plans to go out. Check around your area for Valentine’s Day events and sales: establishments may offer deals or discounts for couples on a date!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
