Valentine’s Day
It’s that time of year again…Valentine’s Day is approaching and we are officially in the month of love! At this time of year, I find that the general population gets split into two categories:
- Those who have a significant other half, be it a husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. This category of the population will right about now be starting to eagerly research gift ideas while also secretly hoping that whatever their other half gets them is as good as the gift they give!
- Those who are single. What more can be said here?!
As a current singleton myself, I find myself regarding those category 1 people with envy (although I might not care to admit it!). However, I am a firm believer in embracing tradition and I will without a doubt be treating myself with some gifts this Valentine’s Day!
With that in mind, this blog is for everyone…in a relationship or single, why shouldn’t we all get a little bit of enjoyment out of St Valentine!
History of Valentine’s Day
As I sat down to write this, I found myself wondering where this annual tradition came from. Sure, we all have a vague notion that there was a St Valentine (and also a sneaky feeling that Hallmark might have had something to do with all the hype), but when it really comes down to it, where did all this start?
Well the answer is that no one knows for sure. It is all shrouded in mystery and legend. What we do know is that it comes from a combination of Christian and Roman tradition, and that there were at least 3 different Valentines which were saints, each of whom could have been the source.
One legend holds that Valentine was a Roman priest in the 3rd Century. The Emperor at the time decided that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage in younger men. Valentine defied him though and continued to perform marriages in secret. He was later caught and sentenced to death.
Another legend put Valentine as a prisoner in which he wrote a letter to a young girl he had fallen in love with. The night before he was put to death she received the letter and it was signed “From Your Valentine”.
What we do know is that Valentines greetings go back as far as the Middle Ages and the oldest Valentine letter in existence was a poem written by the Duke of Orleans in 1415.
5 Interesting Valentine Facts
Here are some Valentine’s facts that you might not have known.
- The phrase “wearing your heart on your sleeve” has a proper origin. In the Middle Ages, young men and women used to draw names from a bowl and then wear the name pinned to their sleeve on Valentine’s Day so that everyone would know who their supposed true love was.
- The first Valentine’s box of chocolates was created by Richard Cadbury in 1868
- About 3% of pet owners give Valentine’s gifts to their pets
- Over 50 million roses are given on Valentine’s Day worldwide
- The city of Verona, where Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters to Juliet every Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
So are you one of those people trying to decide what to get your other half on Valentine’s Day? Well of course at Magees I can tell you that we have lots of ideas for you! Check out our range of fragrances for her and aftershaves for him.
Guys – if you are looking for something a little extra, we have a special offer running from now until the 20th February. Get a free Clarins Beauty Gift and Stylish Cosmetic Purse when you purchase two or more Clarins products (one to be moisturiser). And ladies – as I said already, if you feel like just treating yourself then step right this way!
One thing I find is that women are actually easier to buy for on Valentine’s Day. There are tons of gift ideas for her, be it fragrances, makeup, skincare, roses or flowers. Gifts for him can be a little bit trickier. However, not only do we stock a great range of aftershaves, but we also stock a range of cameras, perfect for the budding photographer!
So, to all you ladies and gentlemen out there, I wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day! If you need some help and advice looking for that perfect gift, don’t forget that you can also pop into us in-store where we would be happy to help! Click here for our address.
Love, Magees