Do You Know the History of Valentine's Day? Or How Much is Spent Each Year?

It's anticipated that consumers will spend at least $25 billion on Valentine's Day this year...that's billion with a B! According to the annual survey by NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics, that comes out to an average of $186 per person! Valentine's Day, February 14, was traditionally the day to celebrate romantic love. It has become more in recent years with the day being made to honor all types of love - friendship, parental, puppy - and that has led to an explosion in spending. With this shift, more and more consumers are celebrating the day with gifts, the customary chocolates, and celebrations that start the weekend before and end the weekend after.

February has long been a month where romantic love is celebrated, evolving from both ancient early Christian and ancient Roman holidays. Legends abound with stories of an actual St. Valentine, with one dating back to the third century. Apparently, Emperor Claudius II of Rome believed that single men made better warriors, so he banned marriage for young men throughout the empire. However, a priest named Valentine secretly continued to perform weddings for young couples. When his actions were discovered, he was put to death. Some claim St. Valentine’s Day commemorates his death on February 14.

In England and France during the Middle Ages, February was thought to be mating season for birds. The middle of the month became a time for romance and romantic gestures. By the 17th century in England, Valentine's Day was widely celebrated. In the U.S., Esther Howland was an artist and businesswoman who popularized Valentine's Day cards in America and published the first Valentine in 1849. According to the Hallmark Corporation, an estimated 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday with only Christmas ranking higher. It's also an incredibly popular day for restaurants - but again, second to another annual holiday. Can you guess? It's Mother's Day. 

Happy Valentine's Day!