Valentine's Day

14th February

St. Valentine's day is always a time of great excitement for children and adults alike. Many wait in anticipation of the postman delivering cards to their door. The cards known as "Valentines" are generally sent anonymously and are often designed with hearts to symbolize love.
        At school and at home children may celebrate St. Valentine's day by making cards for each other and filling them with valentine rhymes. Rhymes can also be written on the envelope to encourage speedy delivery by the postman.
Adults may celebrate by exchanging gifts and cards. They may also go out for a romantic meal by candlelight!
        St. Valentine is traditionally known as the patron saint of lovers and the festival is celebrated on February 14th.  This is also the day that birds are supposed to pair.  The holiday may come from the old Roman feast of Lupercalis which was a festival for shepherds. It's main purpose was to secure fertility  not only for the fields but for their flocks too. The festival also became associated with the feast of two Roman martyrs who were both named Valentine. They lived during the 3rd century . Not a lot is known about them.

Samantha and Kirsty
St. Patrick's School,
Kilsyth, Scotland
 

Here are some traditional verses that you may find on a valentine's card, they were written by pupils at St. Patrick's Primary School, Kilsyth, Scotland: 

Here are some interesting facts about Valentine's day 1998
(information published in the "Sunday Post")

• £174 million was spent on Valentine's Day gifts
• £144 million was spent on fresh flowers
• £36 million was spent on cards
• More than £26 million cards were exchanged
• Around £24 million was spent on chocolates and sweets
• One in five gave a floral tribute to their loved one
• Nearly seven million red roses were bought in Britain alone
• Other favoured flowers were red carnations, pink roses, pink carnations and red tulips.

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