Riley Mullgardt
Contributing Writing
When someone says “February 14,” it either creates smiles and happy thoughts or tears. Those are the effects of the holiday called Valentine’s Day. This day is an experience for everyone.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday for showing loved ones how much you love them and/or eating chocolate.
It all started in the Rome with the myth of Saint Valentine, in about the fifth century. Supposedly Saint Valentine married people whose love was forbidden, and people made up different versions about this Saint. The stories traveled around the world, and now there is a holiday about Saint Valentine.
In most countries, people celebrate Valentine’s Day the same way. In Latin America they celebrate it on Feb. 12, and in China, the so-called “Chinese Valentine’s Day” is the Qixi Festival which is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month. Iran, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because it is against their culture and religion. In South Korea, women give men chocolate on Feb. 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women the following day.
One of the hardest things about Valentine’s Day can be getting a “special someone” the perfect gift.
“It doesn’t matter if you have $100, $0, or a million dollars because love is something that you don’t need money for,” Michael Pingle said, “but I’m going to get my girlfriend Julia (Ross) jewelry, roses, or if there is something she really wants, that.”
Pingle continued, “The gift doesn’t matter as long as it is something that your boyfriend/girlfriend will like. Big or small, it’s the thought that counts.”
As a child, Valentine’s Day always meant three things. A party, tons of valentine’s to buy or make to pass out to classmates, and candy.
“I like Valentine’s Day because we get a party and don’t have to do school work, and we get candy, and I can buy cool valentines,” third grader Eleanor Mullgardt said.
Being single on Valentine’s Day isn’t a bad thing. The best thing to do is to just make sure that be happy. Whether that is by eating 10 pounds of chocolate, or hanging out with friends and watching corny love movies, as long as the feelings aren’t bad, then make the day yours. The best Valentine’s movies to watch are: Valentine’s Day, 500 Days of Summer, Date Night and My Bloody Valentine. Also get some snacks, video games, board games and just have fun.
Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day
• Statistics show that 3 percent of pet owners will give valentines to their pets.
• In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called “Ystävänpäivä,” which translates to “Friend’s Day.”
• The saying “XOXO” actually has a meaning. The X’s stand for kisses because it apparently looks like two faces who are kissing and the O’s stand for hugs.
• About 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold this year.
• The red rose was a favorite flower of the Roman goddess of love, Venus.
• The average number of people who get proposed to on Valentine’s Day is about 220 thousand.
See also Students discuss Valentine’s Day stereotypes.
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See also Column: Let’s get sweet…: Columnist samples ‘Cupcake Wars’ winners for Valentine’s Day ideas.
