Valentine’s Day is still associated with a number of regional traditions in England, despite the fact that the tradition of sending cards, flowers, chocolates, and other presents started in the UK. In Norfolk, a figure by the name of “Jack” Valentine knocks on back doors and leaves gifts and candies for kids. Despite leaving sweets, many kids were afraid of this enigmatic figure.

Every year on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed. Through later folk traditions, it evolved from its origins as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs by the name of Saint Valentine to become a prominent cultural, religious, and commercial festival of romance and love in many parts of the world. It is presently practiced in approximately twenty-five countries around the globe.

While modern practices associating St. Valentine’s Day with romantic love have downplayed the European folk traditions associated with Saint Valentine and St. Valentine’s Day, there are still some ties with the arrival of spring.

Valentine’s Day is still associated with a number of regional traditions in England, despite the fact that the tradition of sending cards, flowers, chocolates, and other presents started in the UK. In Norfolk, a figure by the name of “Jack” Valentine knocks on back doors and leaves gifts and candies for kids. Despite leaving sweets, many kids were afraid of this enigmatic figure.

In the U.S. we tend to not dwell on the beginnings or the history of Valentine’s Day and more to romancing the love of our life. The day may be considered frivolous or petty to some without a significant other. To the lucky ones that do have that one particular person in their life, it is a day when we want to show our partner how much we cherish them.

We should show our partner our affection to them on a daily basis and not just one day each year. It doesn’t have to be with the purchasing of a gift or flowers but by our actions. There is no monetary cost and the memories will last much longer than the thoughts of the gift purchased. These actions will cement your relationship by making your partner feel special and reaffirm the fact that they are loved by you.

Think about the feelings of the one you are gifting to if you are purchasing your “love” a gift. Take into consideration what message you are conveying. Tailor your purchase to the likes of your partner and not just dash into the store and grab the first thing you see on the shelf. The thought you put into the gift will make it that much more special to the recipient. It is not the monetary expense or the packaging that makes the biggest impression, it’s the thought.

Here is an example: We were living over 1,000 miles apart while my wife and I were dating and we were planning on spending Valentine’s day together. On Valetine’s Day we presented each other with the card we had selected for each other. After opening them there was a flood of emotions and I must say some shock too. We had both selected the very same card for each other. We laugh to this day every time we talk about it or tell others our story. To this day we think about the card and less about the gift we gave each other.

Just remember, it is not the cost but the thought that is most important. Maybe something like a concert n lieu of a wrapped gift would be appropriate. Use your imagination.