Valentine's Day

Celebrated annually on 14 February, Valentine's Day is a nationwide romantic observance across the United Kingdom. Although not an official public holiday, millions of people mark the occasion by exchanging cards, flowers, and gifts with partners or romantic interests.

The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to early Christian traditions honouring martyrs named Valentinus in the Roman Empire. Over time, these historical accounts intertwined with European spring folklore. The explicit connection between Saint Valentine and romantic love emerged in England during the late 14th century, notably popularised by Geoffrey Chaucer in his poem 'Parlement of Foules', which described birds gathering to choose their mates on Valentine's Day.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, exchanging handcrafted love tokens and poetry had become widespread across Britain. The launch of the Uniform Penny Post in 1840 made sending mail vastly more affordable, sparking a massive surge in pre-printed greeting cards and establishing the modern custom of posting romantic cards anonymously.

In the United Kingdom, Valentine's Day is traditionally marked by sending greeting cards, which are frequently signed anonymously or with 'Guess Who?' to add a sense of intrigue. Giving red roses, boxed chocolates, and framed photographs or jewellery remains very popular. Many couples celebrate by dining out, making romantic restaurant bookings weeks in advance, or preparing special meals at home. Regional folklore also persists in places like Norfolk, where the traditional character 'Jack Valentine' leaves small gifts on doorsteps for children on St Valentine's Eve.