Every year on February 14, Valentine’s Day is a celebration honouring the expression of love and affection between close romantic partners. But let’s face it, it’s not just about showing your significant other love and affection; it’s also about buying them flowers, chocolates, and the most extravagant gifts possible. But have you ever pondered how Valentine’s Day came to be associated with gifts of flowers and chocolates? Let me just say that it’s a crazy and amusing ride.
The ancient Romans are where it all began. They celebrated love, fertility, and goat sacrifices during a festival known as Lupercalia (yes, you read that right). But as time went on, the festival’s focus shifted from goats to love. What’s the most effective way to express love? Why, of course, with flowers! As a result, the Romans began to present flowers to their loved ones at the festival. But they soon understood that flowers were insufficient on their own. To make their thesis really stick, they needed something additional. Then chocolate came into the picture.
You see, the Aztecs were known for their delicious chocolate and the Romans were obsessed with it. They would trade anything for a taste of that sweet, sweet cocoa. So, they figured, why not combine the two? Flowers and chocolates, the perfect combination for expressing love. And thus, the tradition of giving flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day was born.
Let’s jump ahead to the present, though. It’s practically impossible to avoid the custom of exchanging flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day because it has become so established in culture. There are heart-shaped chocolate boxes and rose bouquets everywhere you turn. To be honest, though, it’s not just about the presents; there’s also the pressure to outdo your partner. That’s when things start to get very amusing.
Couples will sometimes go all out and give expensive gifts like diamond rings and fancy purses. Then there are the couples that compete to present the most extravagant bouquets of flowers and chocolate boxes. It resembles a game of one-upmanship, but with flowers and chocolates instead of candy. And let’s not overlook the pressure placed on single folks to buy themselves gifts because they lack a significant partner to do so. Giving gifts is a humorous loop that never ends.
But let’s not lose sight of what Valentine’s Day is really all about: love and affection. It makes no difference whether you give flowers, chocolates, or nothing at all. The most important thing is that you let your loved ones know how much you value them and care about them. Make sure you’re doing it from the heart whether you’re giving flowers, chocolates, or just a simple “I love you.” Because, let’s face it, that is the true meaning of Valentine’s Day.
So this is why and how flowers and chocolates became synonymous with Valentine’s Day through a combination of historical and cultural traditions, and a bit of pressure to outdo each other with the most extravagant gifts. But it’s important to remember that the true meaning of Valentine’s Day is love and affection, so don’t stress too much about the gifts, just make sure you’re showing your loved ones that you care about them. Happy Valentine’s Day!
