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It’s that time of the year again when bakeries start selling heart-shaped cookies, florists stock up on flowers and your social media feeds are flooded with hearts. Congratulations if you guessed it’s all due to the build-up to Valentine’s Day, which is just around the horizon! Because you were right on point. Have you ever pondered about what Valentine’s Day is all about, despite the fact that it is a widely celebrated event around the world? If you don’t, don’t worry; we’ll go through everything in extensive detail through this article.
How was such a holiday created?
A joyous occasion as well as a day of love and appreciation for those in your life. But how did such a day come to be? Valentine's Day wasn't always about love, believe it or not. Lupercalia, an ancient feast, is the earliest likely origin myth for Valentine’s Day. The celebration honors fertility and has been held in the middle of February for centuries. Men would strip down to their undergarments and make sacrifices of a dog and a goat. Young males would also lash young girls with strips of sacrificial animal skin to stimulate pregnancy.
It was a well-known pagan festival that was still celebrated 150 years after Christianity became established in the Roman Empire. When Pope Gelasius came to power in the late fifth century, he outlawed Lupercalia. Soon later, the Catholic church made February 14 a feast day in honor of the martyred Saint Valentine.
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So why is Valentine’s Day the way it is today?
Apart from the name, these feasts have little in common with our modern romantic conceptions of Valentine's Day. The origins of Valentine's Day, according to some estimates, took a thousand years. Professor Jack B. Oruch of the University of Kansas says that Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to associate Valentine's Day with romance in his work: The Parliament of Foules.
Valentine's Day is around the time when European birds begin mating, according to Oruch, so Chaucer may have tied it to romance by accident. Following Chaucer's lead, Shakespeare added to the romantic connotations we now associate with the term.
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How should we celebrate it?
Now that you have learned about Valentine's Day's history, it is time to think about what you are going to do for the upcoming Valentine's Day! While things may appear and feel one-of-a-kind this year, there are still lots of ways to make Valentine's Day special for your friend, significant other, spouse and loved ones. Whether you have been together for three months or three decades, it is no secret that producing great Valentine's Day ideas may be challenging.
You do not have to go all out or spend a huge amount of money to have an enjoyable time with your significant other. Here are some alternate Valentine's Day celebration ideas that can inspire you to plan something for this special day. Have a romantic train ride by asking your significant other to accompany you on a train ride with a beautiful view of the outside world. Stop by some of the stations and take a wander around to view the uncharted areas that the two of you have never seen before. This is a great date idea for an adventurous couple.
If neither of you has ice skated before, why don't you try it right now? Get out of your comfort zone and try something new; you may find that you both love the experience and that it becomes a habit. If you reside in a warmer climate country where there is no snow, you can always go to an ice-skating rink in a mall or simply a general location that has it.
Watch a Valentine's Day movie together, make some popcorn, prepare some delicious appetizers, light a mood-setting candle, open a bottle of wine, and snuggle beneath a blanket in the comfort of your own home. Or if movies are not your thing, prepare breakfast for them. Is there anything better for your sweetheart than this? Breakfast in bed with a feast of heart-shaped confections.
If you are in a good mood, you may even try out dancing, put on some of your favorite songs, and get your partner to jam along with you. Several dancing lessons are now available online for a more engaging evening: Ballroom Dance Chicago's Zoom classes will teach you how to foxtrot, tango, and two-step; these dances will show you how to plié and pirouette. Of course, you may also use YouTube to learn choreography to some of your favorite songs.
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At the end of the day, Valentine's Day isn't all about love.
For those of you that are single, there are a multitude of reasons you are alone on Valentine's Day. Whatever the reason may be, there is no need to rush into relationships or anything like that just because you feel left out. Being in a relationship isn't a must as love comes in many forms and self-love is the only type of love you need. Hence, you can take this Valentines to make the most out of it by reconnecting with someone you have not spoken to in a long time. That person could be a family member, a friend, or even a potential romantic interest. You never know who else could be lonely on Valentine's Day. They might be grateful for the chance to catch up and connect. Remember Valentine’s Day isn’t only about couples, it’s about showing your love and appreciation for all your loved ones regardless of who they may be. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at YOUth! We wish you a wonderful day with all your loved ones no matter where you are.
By: Chin Guan Yu