Keep It Personal This Valentine's Day
Like many of the modern era holidays, Saint Valentine’s Day has become over-commercialised. Sadly, we consumers have allowed it to happen. What began as a day of somber feasting in honor of a the patron saint who refused to buckle under to Roman Emperor Claudius II later evolved into a romantic day of celebration of love that has become another pressure-packed holiday.
Let’s see if we can fix it. The first thing we need to do is recognise the history of the day. Saint Valentine defied Claudius and continued to marry couples after Claudius outlawed the act of marriage. After marrying hundreds of couples, Valentine was beheaded. On the day of his death, the priest wrote a note to his new love, the jailer’s daughter. He signed the card “from your valentine.” The date was February 14th, 279 A.D.
When Geoffrey Chaucer picked up on the romantic angle of Valentine’s actions, the religious day began to change. Chaucer’s romantic link took hold in the 14th century and the day of feasting became a day to reflect upon each person’s affection for another.
After a Worcester Massachusetts native, Esther Howland, developed the first bulk Valentine’s Day card business in 1850, the complete commercialisation of Valentine’s day was just a matter of time.
As today’s hectic lifestyles have spread throughout the globe, holidays have become more commercialised and less personal. However, the most memorable Valentine’s Days are personal in nature. A Valenine's card with a personalised message should be a part of every Valentine’s celebration. Not only is Valentine’s card a romantic gesture, but it is also a continuation of Valentine’s original note.
Tradition should be apart of every holiday. Rather than respond to the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day, plan ahead. Create a meaningful display of your affection that exemplifies the personal side of your relationship. Make sure your actions reflect the intimacy of your relationship and are not a last minute, off-the-counter act of desperation.
One way to accomplish this is making sure that whatever celebration you plan is about your mate and not necessarily suited to the donor. Don’t be afraid to be a little more lavish than usual, but keep it personal and meaningful.
Determine that this Valentine’s Day will be a long-remembered day and that will breed anticipation for next year. Make your Valentine’s Day a romantic celebration that starts early and lasts long into the evening. Let love be in the air, and then keep it there!