Have you ever wondered about when and how Valentine's Day tradition began?
Or why are greeting cards given away?
Do you think that Valentine's Day is simply a marketing invention?
Well, this story will surely surprise you because Saint Valentine's Day origin is very different from what you can imagine. And why is it so? Because the origin of Valentine's Day started with a rebellious priest...
Stories may diverge a bit, but it is said that in the Italy of the 3rd century Roman Empire, a priest named Valentine defied an order of Emperor Claudius II that was forbidding marriage between young couples.
It turns out that at that time the Empire was fighting different wars and needed soldiers. One of the ways for a young man to avoid this obligation to go to war was to be married.
So when Valentine was discovered clandestinely marrying young couples, they imprisoned him. But during the incarceration he was able to speak to the judge whom he tried to convince about the Christian faith. The judge asked him for proof of this faith and brought her daughter who was blind for him to heal her.
They say that when Valentine put his hands over her eyes, the girl was cured at that very moment and he was released. But Saint Valentine continued to marry young couples in secret so he was again imprisoned and tragically executed on February 14, possibly the year of 270.
February 14th or Valentine's Day only began to be celebrated from the 5th century by the Catholic Church and until 1969 when the Second Vatican Council eliminated it from the liturgical calendar. But by then, Valentine's Day was already celebrated almost everywhere.
And why are greeting cards given away on Valentine's Day?
Well, apparently another legend says that before they executed him, he wrote a note to the judge's daughter whom he had cured and signed it as "Your Valentine". That's the reason why there is the tradition of giving cards and then flowers and chocolates on this day.
But don't think that those are the only gift options. If what you are looking for are original gift ideas for Valentine's Day, here are a few of them:
+ Picture framed with your date: There are very special moments and people that mark us and remain etched not only in our memory but also in our hearts. If you would like to keep closer that special day, this personalized poster with your date can be the perfect gift for Valentine's Day.
+ Original men's cufflinks: Sometimes it is difficult to find a gift for him, right? Well I assure you that these original cufflinks for men will not leave him indifferent.
+ Paper flower made by you: If you love crafts this may be your perfect gift. Follow the simple instructions in this origami tutorial and you can give that special person something made with your own hands.
+ Custom origami jewelry: I believe that jewelry has the potential to have encapsulated meaning and that they can tell stories. Even more so if they are personalized. That's why I created Papiro Gems, so you can tell your story and share it in a jewel form.
+ Custom origami portrait: If what you're looking for is something even more unique, a personalized portrait made with paper flowers can be the perfect Valentine's gift. And it doesn't have to be a portrait, it can also be your initials for example.
Do you want more original gift ideas? Well, I recommend that you visit our Papiro Gems website for origami designs and jewelry that tell a story.
If it turns out that soon it is your first anniversary, I invite you to read this post about Paper Weddings or the first wedding anniversary.
Is it hard for you to find gifts? Well, this post in which I give you 9 tricks to find gifts is sure to be great for you.
Thank you very much for getting here and I wait for you in the next post. Subscribe here to be the first to know about other interesting stories and to get special discounts.
Ines
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