by Steven McKinnon, Mindful Mum, February 12th 2012

• What is Valentine’s Day?
• Who was Saint Valentine?
• How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?
• Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your child
• Make your own Valentine’s Day card

What is Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is a day for couples and families to acknowledge and celebrate their love for one another, usually by sending cards, flowers, or other gifts. However, it’s common for single people to send the object of their affections a gift orcard as well, usually anonymously!

Known as the most romantic day of the year, St. Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas when it comes to worldwide card and gift sales.

Valentine’s Day is observed on February 14th each year in most countries.

Who was Saint Valentine?

There are a number of Saints recognised by the Catholic church named Valentine, and Saint Valentine’s Day may commemorate one or more of them.

However, a popular legend is that Valentine was a priest who practiced in Rome during the third century. It is said that he married couples in secret after the emperor, Claudius the Second, forbade young men to marry, believing this would make them better soldiers.

A related myth is that Valentine was subsequently imprisoned by the emperor and then fell in love with his daughter, who would visit him during his incarceration. Before Valentine was executed, it is alleged that he wrote the girl a letter, signing it ‘from your Valentine’, an expression still popular today.

How is Valentine’s Day celebrated?

Valentine’s day can be celebrated in many different ways, including enjoying a romantic dinner with your loved one, or going on a trip somewhere. It’s up to the couple, really!

That said, there are many enduring Valentine’s Day traditions, such as making your loved one a gift or card from scratch, or a home cooked meal.

It’s also common for mums and dads to send their children a card, from their ‘secret admirer’, allowing them to enjoy this special day as well.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your child

Are you sending your child an anonymous Valentine’s card this year? Or perhaps you’ll let them join in as you make your partner a card or meal at home? Feel free to let us know in the comments box what traditions you’ll be following this year!

Make your own Valentine’s Day card

If you want to make a home made card for your partner or your child, follow these easy steps:

What you will need:

• Kitchen foil
• Blank or coloured card (this can be any size you want)
• Scissors
• Glitter
• Glue

What to do:

1. Take the blank card and fold it in half, either vertically or horizontally.
2. Take the scissors and cut a heart shape – or several mini heart shapes – from the kitchen foil.
3. Glue the foil onto the front of the card, shiny side up.
4. Put a small amount of glue onto the foil heart shape, in any pattern you want, or perhaps your partner or child’s name.
5. Place the glitter onto the kitchen foil.
6. Shake the excess glitter off. The remaining glitter should stick in the pattern you placed onto the foil.
7. Write a message or poem of your choice in the card. Voila!

Photography: Ms Phoenix @Flickr