Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Valentine’s Day

”I have no idea why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day.

When I think about romance, a short, chubby toddler

coming at me with a weapon is the last thing on my mind”

Unknown

Valentine’s Day is a romantic holiday of love. On this day each year people all around the world express their feelings of love, affection and friendship to those they care about. For all of us February, 14 is all about hearts,  flowers, Valentine’s Day gifts and romantic dinners, right? Not exactly. Keep on reading for 14 weird things you never knew about Valentine’s Day:

– Valentine’s Day is believed to have originated during Roman Empire. Claudius II did not allow men to marry during wartime but bishop Valentine went against his wishes, and was put in jail for secretly performing wedding ceremonies for soldiers. During his time in jail, the Roman Romeo wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter, signing it, “From your Valentine.”

– What was the Middle Ages equivalent of posting “Happy Valentine’s Day!” on the Facebook wall of your beloved one? Back then, both men and women wore the names of their beloved ones pinned to their sleeves. Actually, that’s where the expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” has originated.

– What’s better than getting a romantic Valentine’s Day card in the shape of a heart? Well, in the 1920′s, it was a card shaped like a… tomato! Back in the day, tomatoes were also known as ‘love apples’.

– In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.

–  Hallmark produced its first valentine in 1913.

– The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine’s Day.

– Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-sending holiday of the year after Christmas. One billion valentines are annually sent around the world and women purchase approximately 85% of them.

– Teachers receive the most valentines, followed by kids, mothers, wives and sweethearts.

– The first Valentine’s Day candy box was invented by Richard Cadbury in the late 1800s.

– More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day each year.

– 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men.

– Over 50 million roses are given each year for Valentine’s Day worldwide.

– Men spend nearly twice as much as women each Valentine’s Day.

– Thinking about proposing? It’s right about time, because February is the second most popular month (after December) for popping the question.

Valentine’s Day is a day to make your significant other and your relationship shine. Making your loved one feel special should be an everyday event, but Valentine’s Day should be particularly romantic. Need an advice on sending romantic Valentine’s gift for your sweetheart who is far away? Just visit our website or give us a call and we at Russian Flora will be happy to help you with choosing a perfect gift or flower arrangement for your Valentine in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus or anywhere else in the world.