There are many theories surrounding how Valentine’s Day
started. The tradition can be traced from the 14 hundreds, meaning that it is
600 years old. Kathleen Davis, deputy editor of Fact Company, uncovers not only
the holiday’s history, but some other amazing Valentine’s Day facts.
1. Valentine's Day is
the tradition started with the Romans.
According to History.com, the day derives from Lupercalia, a
raucous Roman festival on February 15th where men stripped naked and spanked
young maidens in the hopes of boosting their fertility status.
2. Candy hearts were
originally medical lozenges.
In 1847, Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase invented a machine
that made the lozenge production process easier, resulting in the first
candy-making machine, according to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in
America. After spotting an opportunity to change the candy business, Chase
shifted his mind to candy production with Necco wafers.
3. The heart shape a
transformed to a romantic symbol.
According to Time, long back the heart was once widely believed
to be humans' center of memory, where feelings of love were recorded. However,
we have French and Italian artists from the 14th century were the first to use the
symbol that we know and love today.
4. Valentine's Day is a
popular holiday to get engaged.
A 2017 study by diamond retailer James Allen found that 43%
of the young generation chose Valentine's Day as their top choice of day to
propose or be proposed to.
5. Americans spend huge
sums on love.
A survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, revealed
that Americans spent $20.7 billion for Valentine's Day in 2019 and were
expected to spend $27.4 billion billion in 2020.
6. Experiential gifts
are becoming the real deal.
In 2017, 40% of consumers told the National Retail Federation
they wanted an "experience gift"— a.k.a. tickets to a concert or
other event, an outdoor activity, or an evening out — although only 24% planned
to give one. This gift option is particularly popular with young people: 45% of
people ages 18-24 and 40 percent of people ages 25-34 said they planned to give
experiences for Valentine's Day.
7. More Americans skip Valentine's
Day than you can imagine.
Maybe it's because
they're single or think the holiday is beyond cheesy, about 30% 0f adults reported
in a survey by the National Retail Federation that they're not celebrating the
day of love, though they may treat themselves to a small gift or a night out with
friends and family.
8. Pets are also
getting the love.
People really do love their pets, because according to the
National Retail Federation, 27% of people celebrating Valentine's day in 2020
say they are also buying gifts for their pets. Spending on Valentine's Day
gifts for pets has also grown significantly, going from $450 million in 2010 to
more than $1.7 billion.
9. Galentine's Day has
become a huge holiday.
Galentine's Day may have originally been a holiday made up by
the hit TV show Parks and Recreation back in 2010, but according to the
National Retail Federation, since 2010, spending on Valentine’s Day gifts for
friends has nearly tripled, going from $737 million to a whopping $2.1 billion.
10. Roses really are
the “Boss” of Valentine's Day florals.
Roses are iconically linked to Valentine's Day, and it's not
just a stereotype. According to The Spruce, roses account for more than half of
all Valentine's Day flower sales.
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