Valentines Day

With almost a month to go until valentines day, I figure its about time I make a few more cards for this strange holiday.

With that in mind it made me think back to valentines day when I was at school. I never received any mystery cards from secret admirers, but I did get teddy bears, cards, roses and jewelry from my boyfriend(s) at the time.

Back in the UK we don't send valentines cards to the whole class like I see on American TV. Does that really happen in schools here in the US?

Do you sign your name on your valentines cards? Its tradition in the UK not to sign the card with your name, but instead with "From your Valentine"; although clues may be included in the rhyme, to guide your beloved in your direction.

I started looking into the history of valentines day, and when it began. It is so commercial these days and although I learnt about it at school, I can't remember that much about the origins. All I remember from what I did learn at school was that Valentine had sent the first "valentine" to his jailers daughter, but after looking into that more, that apparently is just folk lore, and not much is actually known about Valentine, including who he actually was, it seems he was one of at least two saints named Valentine. The stories claim that Valentine was imprisoned for performing marriage cerimonies for young men and there loves, the Emporer at the time did not want men to marry, believing that single men made for better solders.

Traditionally love notes were sent on Valentines day, in the 19th century the move from notes to cards was made, and over time, it has become more and more commercial with over 1 billion cards being sent worldwide.