Valentine’s is around the corner! The day when the world celebrates romantic love with postcards, bouquets, chocolate candy boxes, and expensive dinners at fine restaurants. Some people love the traditions, and some feel like it’s another commercialized phenomenon of mass culture. But, love it or hate it, Feb 14th is coming, and Flure is here with an unmissable guide to help you get through it and, perhaps, inspire you for some hot-hot-hot and sweet adventures!
What is Valentine’s Day?
Despite all the controversy, for many people around the globe, Valentine’s is an important day to look forward to. Some people wait for it to show their feelings; for others, it’s an opportunity to celebrate their partner, give gifts, and strengthen their bond. But why, among all the world’s traditions, does this celebration trigger so much debate? Flure’s experts explain.
The History of Valentine’s
Let’s get to the origins of the world’s most romantic holiday to find out. Its history goes back to ancient Rome and early Christianity. The earliest origins of Valentine's Day are rooted in the Roman festival of Lupercalia. Celebrated from February 13th to 15th, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. During the festivities, priests would sacrifice animals and use their hides to slap women, a gesture believed to increase fertility gently. The ancient blend of pagan customs and fertility rites set the stage for today’s romantic celebration.
Once Christianity took over, February 14, now called Valentine's Day, was celebrated. The transition from a pagan festival to a Christian feast day is linked to the martyrdom of Saint Valentine. While there are several legends about Saint Valentine, the most popular one involves a priest named Valentine, who served during the third century in Rome. In seeking to bolster his army, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When it was discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine's martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.
However, it was in the Middle Ages that Valentine's Day became definitively associated with love. In France and England, February 14th was associated with birds’ mating season, adding to the idea that the middle of February should celebrate romance. The oldest known Valentine is a 1415 poem by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, which he wrote while imprisoned in the Tower of London.
In England in the mid-18th century, it had become customary for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the century's end, printed cards replaced written letters. Americans began exchanging hand-made valentines probably around the early 1700s.
The industrial revolution ushered in factory-made cards in the 19th century. In 1913, Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Mo., began mass-producing valentines. Valentine's Day soon became a significant commercial holiday, with people exchanging gifts like chocolates and flowers alongside cards.
What to do on Valentine’s?
Valentine's Day has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love, with different regions adding their unique touch. Despite its ancient origins and numerous transformations, the essence of Valentine's Day as a time for expressing love and affection remains constant. Today, its meaning goes far beyond romantic bonds. We can mark it as a day to appreciate your loved ones: your friends and family, for example. Or just make it a day to spend quality time with yourself: after all, this day is about love!
Before, it was a man’s responsibility to get ready for the holiday: they bought flowers, tickets to the opera or theatre, or planned an unexpected romantic holiday. With gender equality weighing in, women can now enjoy more freedom when it comes to planning romantic celebrations together. Here are some great universal and less evident tips on spending the day if you don’t feel excited about hard-to-get booking at the best restaurant in town.
#1 Cook a gourmet meal together
Working together in the kitchen with all the pots and pans can be fun! Choose a recipe you would love to try, and spend the evening cooking together. This not only creates a delicious meal but also builds teamwork and closeness.
#2 Plan a cultural getaway
Do whatever you love: take an art therapy or a glassblowing class, book a private salsa lesson, or enjoy your evening at the opera if your partner likes it. Remember to plan your celebration in advance to avoid disappointments, or you will have to wait till next Feb 14th.
#3 Take a surprise day trip
If your schedules allow you, of course. Enjoy an overnight stay at a cozy hotel and a delicious breakfast in a picturesque place. The change of scenery can be refreshing and romantic!
#4 Recreate your first date
Or the day you met! Remember how it all started by recreating your first date, or remind each other of that day when your paths crossed in this universe! It will help to remind your partner that you are lucky to have them.
#5 Create a romantic atmosphere at home
Does your interior design bore you to death? Valentine’s is your chance to change it! Try your decorators’ skills and see if you can make a cozy romantic nest this lovers’ day! Light some candles and play soft tunes to set the right tone for your romantic evening.
#6 Share your fantasies
Valentine’s is sure the right day to get spicy! Share your deepest fantasies and try things you haven’t tried before. Experiment with your sensual play or surprise your partner with new lingerie or a role-play costume.
#7 Watch a romantic or an erotic film
Do you have any favorites in your collection? Cuddle up together with a classic romance or something more suggestive for a perfect evening.
#8 Play games!
There are many games for couples that can add a spicy twist to your Valentine’s night. A sexy truth or dare or a more adventurous card game may lead to fun and intimate discoveries!
Valentine’s Day gifts ideas
When it comes to gifts, remember this date is about celebrating love and your significant connections. Make sure your gift is meaningful and memorable to match the occasion.
1. Get them what they want. If your significant other hinted they wanted a particular gift, this day is a perfect moment to make them happy! This is the best way to show you are an attentive partner.
2. Sexy gifts. Sex toys, expensive lingerie, lubes, sexy games, massage oils, and a plethora of other sexy gifts will spice up the most romantic day of the year!
3. Personalized jewellery. A classic. Add a personal touch to make it extraordinary, like engraving initials or a date on a bracelet or a pendant. If your partner doesn’t love it, they just don’t deserve you.
4. Experience gifts. The hottest of all gifts on the market! Make sure it aligns with your partner’s interests. Depending on your budget, book a relaxing massage, an art therapy session, or a helicopter ride. Create fantastic memories together that will last for eternity.
5. Custom portrait. In our digital age, everything is about great looks and good visuals. Surprise your partner with a professional photo shoot or a picture from an artist to show your love in a beautiful and artistic way.
6. Tech gadgets. And no, we don’t mean sex toys here. For pragmatic hi-tech lovers, wireless earbuds, a GoPro, a tablet, or a fitness tracker will be an ideal gift.
7. A handwritten poem. In a world where everything is digital, a handwritten letter or a poem can be a rare and meaningful gift, especially if you know how to express yourself with words. Sound unique and genuine, and use inspiring quotes to highlight the depth of your feelings!
8. Flowers. If all these gift ideas make you crazy or your relationship is too fresh for a “serious” gift, go with the classics! A beautiful bouquet and a box of chocolates is an excellent way to compliment somebody you have met recently.
I’m single. What should I do?
Single on Valentine’s? Not a problem! Make this day joyous and fulfilling for yourself. Don’t wait for someone to do it for you! Celebrate yourself and your freedom and the overwhelming choice. Here are some tips on making this day unforgettable if you want to celebrate it without a significant other.
- Self-care spa day. Treat yourself to a day of pampering. Have a relaxing bath, try a new skincare routine, or indulge in a professional spa treatment in a fancy hotel. The focus is on self-love and care.
- Learn something new. Use the day to start a new hobby or skill. Try a dance class, or painting, or learning a musical instrument to immerse yourself in a new activity.
- Something extreme! If your shape allows you to, of course. Celebrate your independence by skydiving, parachuting, or hiking a cool mountain trail. Post your pictures doing it on social media to surprise your friends and impress your potential matches!
- Volunteer. Spend the day volunteering at a local charity or organization. Helping others can be incredibly rewarding and a great way to spread love on Valentine's Day.
- Hot singles dinner. Invite your single friends for a delicious dinner. Feel free to gossip and discuss your past and future relationships. Surfing dating apps together is also allowed!
- Create a vision board. Use this day to focus on your goals and dreams. Create a vision board that represents what you want to achieve in the future: your career, travels, and personal growth aspirations.
- Plan a movie marathon. Watch your favorite movies or series, whether they're rom-coms, action-packed adventures, or horror films. Make it a comfy night with your favorite snacks and cheat meals. No, we won’t judge you for it.
- Explore online dating. Everyone is in the mood on February 14! Get on Flure to see what all those people are up to and what they are looking for. You are never alone with millions of people in your location and in the virtual realm looking for meaningful connections. And don’t worry: we got you here! Flure is the safest place on the internet to meet people. Explore our guides on how to boost your popularity on dating apps and captivate your match with irresistible nudes!
Final thoughts
Valentine's Day is about love in all forms, including self-love and the love of life. Enjoy it, celebrate it with your partner, family, or friends, or just have some good quality time alone. Allow the day to bring you maximum pleasure. Happy Valentine’s Day!
