Each year, on February 14, people around the world gather to celebrate the beloved holiday of romance, friendship and love. This day, Valentines day, is a time for gift-giving, romantic dinners and plenty of pink and red roses. However, the holiday didn’t start this way.
Originating in 496 AD, Valentine’s Day began as a combination of Roman rituals and Christian martyrdom, replacing the old pagan fertility festival Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a purification and fertility festival to promote health, fight evil spirits, and encourage easy childbirth. The day that is now known as Valentine’s day is named after St. Valentine; legend says he was a Roman priest who went against the wishes of authorities to marry soldiers. However, celebrations that come to mind now when we think of Valentine’s Day didn’t become popular until the Middle Ages, when it was linked to Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem about the mating season of birds. From there, a tradition of hand-written love letters and lace cards started.
This holiday has now evolved into traditions of gift-giving to loved ones. Most gifts involve flowers, chocolates and notes of affection. Some of the most fond memories of Valentine’s start in elementary school. Classmates exchange cards and small gifts, such as miniature eraser figurines, sweet heart candies and colorful pencils and take turns putting these gifts into decorated shoe boxes and paper bags that act as mailboxes. They learn the importance of showing appreciation. While the holiday is extremely commercialized, what remains is the gesture and meaning behind the gifts given and received.
People celebrate in many ways besides gift-giving. “My boyfriend is flying me out to Boston this year, and we are going to a nice dinner and a Build-A-Bear workshop to get the Valentine’s Build-A-Bears,” Elle Froberg ‘26 said. Spending time with others and being surrounded by loved ones recognizes what Valentine’s Day is about – the appreciation for relationships that support us. Plenty of creative workshops, such as candle making, perfume making, and pottery making, are also offered on this holiday. Through these activities, people can create a physical reminder of this memorable day. For those not involved in romantic relationships, “Galentines” gatherings are popular. This is a celebration of female friendships that typically includes crafts, baking and food to express the platonic love between friends.
That said, certain gifts remain common during this time. Many brands, whether it’s fast food or retail, take advantage of the aesthetics and release limited-edition Valentine’s-themed items. Chick-fil-a is known for its heart-shaped trays of its classic nuggets, Chick-n-minis and desserts (their brownies and chocolate chunk cookies). Coffee chains also release both drinks and foods specially for this time. Starbucks dropped a new menu featuring a strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino and White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew, among other drinks, and brought back their Valentine Cake Pop. Meanwhile, Dunkin’ Donuts brought back their heart-shaped donuts and Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher drink and made a new Chocolate Covered Strawberry Daydream Refresher. Retail stores, such as Victoria’s Secret, Stanley, Skims, Ugg, and Jellycat, similarly capitalized on Valentine’s Day by releasing red and pink colored items, often featuring hearts – things all commonly associated with the holiday.
“When I think of Valentine’s Day, I think of a bunch of warm colors like pink, red, white, and symbols like hearts and chocolates,” Gabby Wang ‘26 said. Many people think similarly when asked what comes to mind when Valentine’s Day is mentioned. These classic symbols have unique origins. For example, in Greek Mythology, red roses are tied to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, as stories say they grew from her blood and tears; thus, red roses are often given to family and friends as a symbol of love. Likewise, doves are commonly associated due to their mating season beginning in mid-February; they are a symbol of loyalty and romance during this time.
Whether it’s with family, friends or partners, Valentine’s Day is a heartfelt holiday for all to celebrate and show gratitude for loved ones. Though it started from Roman fertility rituals, it has evolved into traditions of notes, gatherings with friends, red roses, and sweets, all of which reflect the romantic feelings and gestures shown on this day. This holiday is a cherished annual celebration for all.