Valentine’s Day is upon us and there is some very interesting history behind the day of lovers. In the video above from History, the day was a originally a drunken pagan festival of fertility, Lupercalia, with naked couples coupled from 13-15 February. However, in the 5th century Pope Gelasius I mixed things up by combining St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. While the festival remained a day of fertility and love, the Christian version was a watered down interpretation of what it had once been, minus the debauchery. Below is a second theory about St. Valentine marrying couples illegally. The video and the following fun facts from Women’s Day both give an overview of some interesting statistics about our consumption patterns associated with Valentine’s Day gifting.
1. Valentine’s Day started with the Romans
There are two theories about the origin of Valentine’s Day. The first is that the day derives from Lupercalia, a raucous Roman festival on February 15 where men stripped naked and spanked young maidens in hopes of upping their fertility. The second theory is that while the Roman Emperor Claudius II was trying to bolster his army, he forbade young men to marry (apparently single men make better soldiers). In the spirit of love, St. Valentine defied the ban and performed secret marriages. For his disobedience, Valentine was executed on February 14.
2. It’s not the most popular holiday for greeting cards
According to the Greeting Card Association, 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular greeting card–giving occasion, after Christmas.
3. Single ladies have a good shot at finding a date
In America there are 119 single men—never married, widowed or divorced—in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same age.
4. True love is apparently not that hard to find
Over two million marriages take place in the United States every year. That means there are more than 6,000 a day!
5. Husbands and boyfriends like to give bouquets
Men account for 73 percent of Valentine’s Day flower sales.
6. Roses are the flowers of love
The favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love? The red rose, of course. The bud stands for strong romantic feelings, so it’s no surprise they make up the most popular Valentine’s Day bouquets.
7. “Wearing your heart on your sleeve” is more than just a phrase
In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to see who their Valentine would be. They would wear the name pinned to their sleeve for one week so that everyone would know their supposed true feelings.
8. Money can buy love
The average U.S. consumer spent around $102 on Valentine’s Day gifts, meals and entertainment in 2009, according to an annual U.S. National Retail Federation survey. Roughly 92 percent of married Americans with children will spend most of that money (about $67) on their spouse; the rest goes to Valentine’s Day gifts for kids, friends, co-workers and even pets.
9. Americans have a serious sweet tooth
According to the National Confectioners Association, about eight billion candy hearts were made in 2009.
10. The chocolate box has been around for more than 140 years
The first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868.
We like that some people include gifts for their kids, co-workers, friends and pets, because after all, it is just plain nice to spread the love.
