Valentines Day

lycklig Alla hjärtans dag, Hyvää ystävänpäivää, Alles Gute zum Valentins Tag, Valentines dydd yn hapus, Kekasih hari gembira, Joyeux Saint-Valentin, Masayang Araw ng mga Puso or Feliz Dia De San Valentin. These are words with the same meaning, but spoken in different languages — Happy Valentine’s Day!

A tradition that is mostly celebrated every 14th of February, Valentine’s Day is as special as an anniversary for married couples or in a relationship. Lovers tend to be aggressive and overly romantic during this day. It’s likely that you would bump into many couples along your way and if you are single, you’ll be dying in envy. For many, this is the only day where they can explicitly express their love to their crush or partner. In some countries, you won’t be surprised if hotels and restaurants are fully booked. That is, you know what comes next after the date, right? However, there are also couples who aren’t as enthusiastic and aggressive. There are anti-social couples out there who don’t bombard their newsfeed with their romantic getaways and cheesy Valentine ideas.

How Countries Differs in Valentine Celebration

See also: No Greater Love

JAPAN

Japan has one of the most peculiar Valentine celebrations. It may be known to some, but in case you haven’t known, every Valentine’s Day, it’s the woman that gives chocolates or sweets to the guy. Sounds interesting? Well, while most of the countries’ traditions portrayed men as the shining armor, the gentlemen and romantic that give gifts to women, Japan, however, gave chances to women to show their creativity and artistry in chocolate making and wrapping by showing their affection to their guy crush, guys they admired or boyfriends (Honmei-choco). However, if you are the type of Japanese woman who doesn’t know how to bake, the only thing you can do is buy ready-made chocolates at the candy shops which you can give to your male office mates or guy friends (Giri-choco).

PHILIPPINES

While most Filipinos tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day similar to Americans — with all the flowers, chocolates, eating at the restaurants, and booking for hotel suites, one thing that stands out in Philippine Valentine tradition is the Valentine event of the year. It may be a party like the sponsored event Loovapalooza, where couples kiss their partners simultaneously, or a government-sponsored event such as the grand mass wedding, where hundreds or thousands of couples come together for matrimony.

ARGENTINA

While most of us are celebrating Valentine’s Day specifically only during February 14th, This passionate nation managed to add a bit of spice to their tradition. Other than the one-day Valentine celebration, they have this whole week which they called the “Sweetness Week” sometime in July where kisses are exchanged for some sweet treats. Isn’t that sweeter?

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa followed the history of Valentine’s Day. Lupercalia, where it was celebrated as an ominous ritual for many centuries happened to coincide with Valentine’s Day. Thus, this ominous ritual consists of “sacrifice or act of sacrifice” became part of Valentine’s Day. While it’s still debatable and unclear for historians whether it has something to do with Valentine’s Day or if there is a relationship between the two, the Lupercalia festival is known as its earliest festival ancestor. The early festival was intended to enable fertility and is also associated with the matchmaking lottery, thus, why the correlation hypothetically existed.

Valentine’s Day was widely associated with St. Valentine, a Roman saint in the third century that was commemorated on February 14. He is the patron saint of epilepsy and his Saint’s day was traditionally associated with courtly love. Thus, where the celebration name originated. Today, we are celebrating this romantic occasion all over the world. What’s the best way to celebrate it is to give presents like chocolates and flowers to your loved ones.

However, as there were spikes of creativity among different individuals, there are other extraordinary gifts you can give to your partner or spouse without following the norm. These alternatives can add additional affection, or sweetness factors to the relationship.

See also: Chivalry Should Not Be Dead

5 Perfect Valentine Gifts

PERFUME

Most women like to have their own scent. The scent that will be remembered by their partner or separate them from the other girls. With variants similar to the sweet smell of chocolate, velvety vanilla, or as fragrant as the flowers, it will surely attract leaving a lasting impression.

Check the shop to avail exclusive Chesz Dylan perfumes and merchandise.

SHOPPING

Every women’s dream and men’s nightmare (pun intended). Shopping has been correlated to women and men shouldn’t dare to contradict. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a trendy dress, branded shoes, and bags, you name it. It’s every women’s must-haves. Give your girlfriends or wives a lot of lovin’ by giving them your credit card or some cash and you already survived the Valentine’s Day horror.

BOOK OR JOURNAL

Books are great presents especially when the recipient loves to read. These are turn-ons for your bookworm partners whether your partner is into business books or fictional characters. Women tend to use journals than men, they are more organized when it comes to schedules and timely tasks than men.

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TRAVEL TOGETHER

No more dinner dates at the restaurants or one night in hotels. Traveling together is beneficial for both of you. Will it be better to relax and escape the busy city life with your partner this Valentine’s Day? Whether it’s a local or flights international, being together while traveling will strengthen the relationship.

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ESSENTIALS

Health is the most underrated concern of most couples. It’s always best to look your best and be at your best state. That way, both of you will become more confident with each other and live longer without being stressed out because of your relationship. Why not give your partner a new fitness machine, a supplement, a massage or enroll together for a new diet plan?

SHAKLEE has a lot of healthy things to offer. Be sure to click the banner above to know the healthiest products in the market.

See also: The Love of a Father

Valentine’s Day celebration doesn’t have to look grand and spend a lot of money. Your love isn’t defined by how much money you spent or how much is the present worth. Sometimes, couples don’t always need material things. And these non-materials things are priceless.

What did you give your partner this Valentine’s Day? Share us in the comments below.