Romantic Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day

• Quotes and sayings
• Romantic box layouts
• DIY tip for Valentine’s Day

Romantic messages for your photo puzzle collage

• Other countries, other customs: traditions on Valentine’s Day

  

  In Japan, only women give dark chocolate to their loved ones, friends, relatives, colleagues and even to their employer. One month later, on “White Day” they receive white chocolate in return. The following custom has its origins in Italy but is also popular in Germany: Lovers engrave their names into padlocks and attach them to bridge railings or somewhere at well-known places. The key is thrown into the water. This way, the couple’s love is meant to last forever. The Finns do not only prioritize love on Valentine’s Day, this day is dedicated to friendship as well. Messages and little presents are sent anonymously to people they like. The Swedes on the other hand call Valentine’s Day the “Day of all Hearts” and it is common to give hearts made of wine gum. In Denmark it is all about secrets: Presents are sent anonymously and the gifted one has to guess the sender. Instead of red roses, snowdrops are very popular there. Other popular presents are hearts out of flowers, pastry and of course chocolate. In Islamic countries, Valentine’s Day is partly prohibited due to its origin in the Christian faith. In Germany, Valentine’s Day has only been celebrated since the end of World War II. Englishmen and Americans brought the tradition to Germany towards the end of the war. In Poland, Chelmno is known as the “City of Lovers” as this is where a relic of St. Valentine is being kept. Valentine’s Day is an important holiday there. In memory of Saint Valentine, a service is being held in church and the people release thousands of red balloons into the sky. The day concludes with many events and concerts in the evening. In England and France, people used to believe that a young woman would marry the one man who she lays eyes on first on Valentine’s Day. The tradition in which admirers start bringing their presents preferably early to their loved one on that day, exists until today. 

• The origin of Valentine’s Day

  

  Valentine’s Day is known as the day of youth, family, lovers and giving flowers. There are various legends around the emergence of this day. The most well-known one is probably the one about the Italian priest Valentine who, in spite of a prohibition by the anti-Christian emperor, wed couples according to Christian custom. The legend says that he used to give flowers from his garden to the newly-wed couples and the marriages he trusted were blessed with good fortune. Valentine also wed soldiers who actually had to stay unmarried. This is why he was executed on the 14th of February in the year 269. Since then, St. Valentine has been regarded as the patron of lovers, fiancés, and beekeepers. In England and France, there is the widespread belief that the mating season of birds starts on the 14th of February, in the middle of the second month of the year. Another origin of Valentine’s Day could be the feast for Roman Goddess Juno, protector of marriage and family. According to historical tradition, she could ensure the right choice of a partner with the help of her love oracle. Therefore, flowers used to be sacrificed in her honour on the 14th of February. This ritual was continued by gifting flowers to women. Moreover, there are legends about an ancient Indian festival dedicated to the God of marriage. On the 14th, it is an oriental tradition to send declarations of love to your beloved.

• Our DIY tip for Valentine’s Day
  

  Prepare your message

  

  Fetch the wax out of the mould

  

  Thread the wick through your message

  

  Put the wax back into the candle mould and light the candle

  Romance and Valentine’s Day belong together, just like romance and candlelight. If it is important for you to craft your Valentine’s Day gift yourself, we have the perfect addition for a romantic night: Candles with hidden messages and sayings coming from your heart. 

  • You need: tea lights (Ø 3.8 cm), scissors, and a needle
  • Print the template for our DIY tip and cut out the messages
  • Use the needle or something similar to poke a hole into the middle of the message 
  • Fetch the wax of the candle out of the aluminium mould, leaving the wick and the little metal plate in the mould
  • Put the message into the candle mould and thread the wick through the love message and put the wax back into the mould
  • Your DIY present is ready! After the candle has been burning for about two hours, the wax is fluid and your loved one can read the message.