Valentine's Day: From Ancient Rome to Your Doorstep

Every February 14th, roughly one billion Valentine's cards make their way around the globe, alongside 250 million roses, countless heart-shaped chocolates, and—let's be honest—a few regrettable gift choices. But how did we get here? The story of Valentine's Day is equal parts romantic legend, medieval poetry, and modern marketing genius. Buckle up for a journey through history's most love-obsessed holiday.

Valentine's Day traces back to the 3rd century, when a priest named Valentine allegedly defied Emperor Claudius II by secretly marrying young soldiers (romance rebel!). Legend has it he signed a note to his jailer's daughter "From your Valentine"—yes, that phrase has roots dating back 1,700 years. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I made February 14th official, partly to replace the pagan Lupercalia festival. But here's the twist: the holiday had nothing to do with romance until the Middle Ages.

Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated across the globe—well, most of it. Top celebrators include the USA, South Africa, Chile, India, Turkey, Mexico, Poland, and China, where couples go all-in on February 14th festivities. Meanwhile, countries like the Netherlands, South Korea, and Germany tend to shrug it off. In one U.S. poll, only 30% of Americans even consider Valentine's Day a "special occasion" (preferring Christmas or Mother's Day instead). Still, those who do celebrate? They go big.

Valentine's Day is a $26 billion industry in the United States alone, with Americans spending an average of $193 per person in 2023. But the real big spenders? Hong Kong leads at $124 per capita, followed by the UK ($117), Ireland ($112), and the USA ($106). Globally, about 145 million greeting cards are exchanged in America every Valentine's Day—second only to Christmas. Need gift ideas for her or inspiration for him? Start early. Or if you're feeling extra fancy, explore luxury Valentine's gifts that say "I really, really care."

Not everyone's buying into the hearts-and-flowers vibe. Several countries—largely with conservative Islamic influences—have banned or discouraged Valentine's Day celebrations. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Pakistan, and parts of Indonesia all restrict or prohibit Valentine's festivities, citing religious or cultural concerns. In 2017, Islamabad's high court banned Valentine's media and events entirely. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has been cracking down since 2012, even suspending students for celebrating. Love may be universal, but Valentine's Day? Not so much.

If you think your Valentine's Day plans are unique, wait until you hear what the rest of the world is up to. From mystery love letters to mass noodle-eating competitions, these traditions prove love makes people wonderfully weird.

In Norfolk, England, children wake up on February 14th to find gifts left by "Jack Valentine"—basically a romantic Santa Claus who sneaks presents to your doorstep in the night. It's adorable, slightly mysterious, and honestly, why isn't this a thing everywhere?

In Japan, women give giri-choco (obligation chocolate) to bosses and friends, and honmei-choco to romantic interests on February 14th. Then, on March 14th (White Day), men return the favor with white chocolate, marshmallows, or even lingerie. But wait—there's more! If Valentine's and White Day pass you by, South Korea celebrates Black Day on April 14th, where singles dress in black and commiserate over bowls of black bean noodles. It's like a support group, but delicious.

In Denmark and Norway, men send anonymous rhyming love notes (gaekkebrev) decorated with snowdrops. If the woman guesses the sender's identity, he owes her an Easter egg. If she's wrong, she buys him one. Meanwhile, in China, roses carry coded messages: 1 rose = "my one and only," 11 = "you are my favorite," 99 = "eternal love," and 108 = "marry me." (Pro tip: Don't accidentally give your boss 108 roses.) Over in Malaysia, women write their phone numbers on oranges and toss them into rivers on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, hoping for romantic connections. Think of it as analog Tinder.

Finding the perfect Valentine's gift can feel like navigating a minefield. Fortunately, tools like PingWish's AI-powered gift finder can help you avoid the common pitfalls (more on those in a second). Or, go classic and create a wishlist so your partner knows exactly what you want. Because communication is romantic, right?

Teddy bears top the list of worst Valentine's gifts—21% of women and 27% of men call them unromantic and lazy. Household appliances? Even worse. Eighteen percent of women say vacuums and blenders kill the romance faster than you can say "deep clean." Board games and home décor also rank poorly (16% and 12%, respectively). And here's the ironic twist: 22% of men admit a Valentine's card alone is among the worst gifts. So maybe pair it with something thoughtful. Just not a vacuum.

Ready for some mind-blowing stats? Teachers receive more Valentine's cards than anyone else on February 14th (thanks, elementary school traditions). About 250 million roses are grown specifically for Valentine's Day, with red roses symbolizing love and beauty. The oldest surviving Valentine dates back to 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, wrote a love note to his wife from the Tower of London. And in the Philippines, Valentine's Day is one of the most popular wedding dates—thousands of couples tie the knot in mass ceremonies every year. Romance overload? Absolutely.

Whether you're planning an extravagant date night, exchanging handmade cards with your kids, or celebrating solo with a pint of ice cream (no judgment), Valentine's Day is what you make it. From its ancient origins to its quirky global traditions, the holiday reminds us that love—in all its messy, beautiful, occasionally awkward forms—is worth celebrating. So go ahead: send that card, buy those roses, or toss an orange into a river. Just maybe skip the vacuum.