What is Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is a yearly festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship, and appreciation. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners and friends while Couples send Valentine’s Day cards, and gifts to honour their love for each other.

Yes, Valentines’ Day has become a totally popularized mess- but it’s still the perfect opportunity to let little romantic gestures shine and who couldn’t use an opportunity to celebrate love in their life a little more?

There are plenty of things you can do on Valentine’s Day, Remember; the simplest things can go a long way in your relationship.

The History of Valentines Day

Firstly it is essential to understand the History of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a priest who lived in Rome in the Third century at the time of Valentine’s life, many Romans were reforming to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II,  who commanded Rome decided that single men made better soldiers than those who were married and outlawed marriage as Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome .

Valentine started to protest as it was not fair. He planned to counter the monarch’s orders in secret. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine, who met them in a secret place and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony, this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the value of love.

Eventually, Valentine was found out and jailed for his crime against Claudius. While detained, Valentine cared for his fellow defendants and also his jailor’s blind daughter. Legend has it that Valentine cured the girl’s blindness and before he was put to death he sent her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine’ a phrase that lived ever after. Valentine was executed on 14 February in the year 270.

It wasn’t until more than 200 years later that 14 February was announced St Valentine’s Day.  By this time Rome had become Christian and the Catholic Church was determined to stamp out any remaining paganism. A pagan fertility ritual was held in February each year and the pope abolished this festival and proclaimed 14 February Saint Valentine’s Day.

The symbol of Valentine’s Day, the practice of sending love messages, developed into people sending special cards expressing their affection.

Here are a few ways to be lovey-dovey this Valentine’s Day

 

1. Leave a little note on his/her laptop bag so they will find it when they get to work
2. Plan a surprise outing.
3. Send flowers.
4. Stop by the office with Gifts or have the gifts delivered
5. Make breakfast in bed.

If you are planning a Romantic dinner follow some dos and don’ts

1. Do not panic- If you have left things to last minute you can always restore your romantic reputation with a simple and quick meal.
2. Do your research- take time to get recipes to the taste of your date.
3. Don’t make it messy- have meals which are easy to eat.
4. keep it simple- stick to a dish you know
5. keep things sweet- Light desserts
6. don’t go garlicky- you don’t need the smelly breath

Go to www.cookbook.co.za for a few ideas

Feel totally prepared and confident this Valentine’s Day with Therabreath.