10 Interesting Things About St Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is an interesting romantic celebration steeped in history. Almost all of us know at least something about it, but there are still a lot of interesting facts about Valentine’s Day that you might not be aware of. Here are a few of them:
1. Valentine’s Day is the holiday that sells the second most cards (Christmas is on the first place). You’d think that wives, husbands, girlfriends or boyfriends are the number one receiver of these cards, right? And you’d be totally wrong, as teachers are the ones who get the most gift cards. Girlfriends are last on this list.
2. The rose is the most popular Valentine’s Day flower, which you probably already knew. The prices for roses rise by about 30% worldwide during the week when Valentine’s Day is to occur. Also, 70% of men prefer buying a single red rose for their loved ones, considering it a “unique” gift.
3. Penicillin (the cure to most modern illnesses) was introduced to the general public on 14th of February, 1929. Some claim that scientists specifically waited for this day to show their love for the world.
4. Many people think that their other half spent too much on a Valentine’s gift. They would calm down a bit if they knew that the Taj Mahal (which took 22 years to build) was the most expensive and extraordinary Valentine’s Day gift.
5. Some 9 million people who own a pet purchase a gift for them as well on Valentine’s Day in the United States. Worldwide, twice as many buy gifts for their furry friends. A lot of people also purchase gifts for their pets on other occasions, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, which is a very interesting fact.
6. While Valentine’s Day cards are the number 1 gift given, jewelry is at the very bottom of this list. Jewelry is the gift of choice of only 11% of all people.
7. Despite being named after St. Valentine, the Roman Catholic Church removed Valentine’s Day from the officially recognized religious holidays in 1969.
8. Valentine’s Day is the birthday of a lot of popular celebrities. People like Jack Benny, Jimmy Hoffa, Gregory Hines and Hugh Downs are on this list .
9. 90% of all Valentine’s Day gift cards are purchased during the 4-6 days before the holiday itself and 80% of the buyers are women. Men tend to purchase flowers and gifts, but forget about the simple and inexpensive cards.
10. Every year, over 9,000 Valentine’s Day gift cards and letters are sent to “Juliet” from the Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. They are received in Verona, where the couple lived.
There are a lot more unusual and weird facts about Valentine’s Day, but I think the above are the most unique and interesting ones. If you are reading this on February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Tags: christmas, gift, gift card, love, romance, st valentines day, United States, valentines day
2010 Holidays | 2010calendar | 
February 9, 2010 4:30 am
