Valentine’s Day is coming up on February 14th so let’s take a look at some fun facts about this special day:
- Money can buy love! The average consumer in the U.S. will spend over $100 on Valentine’s Day gifts, meals and entertainment.
- During the Middle Ages, men and women would draw names to see who would be their Valentine. They’d wear this name on their sleeves for a week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression to “wear your heart on your sleeve.”
- England’s King Henry VII officially declared February 14th as the holiday of Valentine’s Day in 1537.
- Over 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day.
- Over 189 million stems of roses will be sold for Valentine’s Day.
- An average of 220,000 wedding proposals are made on Valentine’s Day each year.
- Girls during the medieval times would eat bizarre foods on Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouse.
- One popular theory about the origin of Valentine’s Day is that Roman Emperor Claudius II didn’t want for men to marry during wartime. Bishop Valentine disregarded his wishes and performed secret weddings. For this, he was jailed and executed.
- Single ladies have good odds of finding a date. There are 119 single men (never married, widowed or divorced) in their 20’s for every 100 single women of the same age!
- Over 140 years ago, Richard Cadbury produced the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates.
Don’t forget! There is still time to do something nice for that special person in your life. Order those flowers, gifts and dinner reservations, now!
