Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. February 14th, Valentine’s, Day first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending Valentine cards.
- Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival which occurred on February 15th.
- Every year, more than 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolates are sold across the country.
- Sorry men, it looks like you’ll be spending twice as much as women this year on gifts. The average man spends $130 on Valentine’s Day, while women spend about $70.
- Don’t forget about your pets! Every year, around 9 million people buy their pets a Valentine’s Day gift.
- February 14th is the second largest card giving day of the year, just after Christmas. This year, it’s expected that 1 billion cards will be exchanged around the world.
- Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by kids, mothers, wives and girlfriends.
- Hallmark was one of the first to mass produce a Valentine’s Day card, all the way back in 1913.
- More than one-third of men are comfortable not receiving anything from a lover on Valentine’s Day.
- It’s estimated that the U.S. alone is going to spend $3.3 billion on flowers for loved ones this year.
- The only other day that beats Valentine’s Day in floral sales is Mother’s Day.
- Of the 124.6 million households in the U.S. it’s predicted that 43 million of them will purchase flowers.
- And the most likely flower to be purchased? Red roses of course!
- Would you believe that young people are leading the trend in floral sales? In 2016, 63% of floral-buying households were under the age of 35.
- Who says you can’t be your own Valentine? In 2015, 18% of women sent themselves flowers.
- Ordering a bouquet? Have it tied in lace. The word “lace” comes from the Latin laques, meaning “to snare or net,” as in to catch a person’s heart.
Most Searched Flower on Valentine’s Day:
- Rose (with almost 3 million searches!)
- Iris
- Lily
- Sunflower
- Orchid
- Tulip
- Daisy
- Gardenia
- Lavender
- Hydrangea
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