Every year on 14 February, lovers celebrate the love and romance that Valentine's Day represents. From small gifts to big ones, romantic favours to romantic treats, restaurants are bathed in soft candlelight and almost every table is set for two.

The question may arise: is the celebration of this beautiful day exclusively part of our Western culture, or is it a worldwide love fever? How long have we been celebrating Valentine's Day and where did the tradition start? Has it been with us since the beginning of time, because something as important as love deserves a special celebration? These are the questions we explore in this article to help you better understand and experience this special celebration in mid-February. Of course, we don't skimp on the gift ideas either, giving you luxurious tips on how to impress your loved one on the big day.

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Where does Valentine's Day come from?

The feast is named after St Valentine, the patron saint of lovers and newlyweds. Bishop Valentine married couples according to Christian customs, despite the Roman Emperor's decree forbidding it, and legend has it that he also gave newlyweds flowers from his garden. Bálint was thrown into prison for his courageous confession, where he performed miracles: he restored the sight of a jailer's blind daughter. Before he died, he wrote a farewell letter to the girl, signed "Your Valentine"."

But even older is a custom celebrated every year in mid-February in ancient Rome: a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia. This festival and the legend of St Valentine gave rise to Valentine's Day, the day when people send each other flowers and cards. 

 

From Europe to the United States, then around the world

In Europe, people in medieval England and France celebrated St Valentine's Day. They even thought it was the start of the bird mating season on 14 February. From the 18th century, Valentine's Day in England became a day for lovers to give each other gifts and express their feelings. People gave each other handmade greeting cards and small gifts. This custom spread from there to the United States in the late 1800s.

Today's Valentine's Day and it's a popular holiday all over the world. It's also a day to celebrate friendship and love as well as romance and love. Different countries have added new traditions to the mix, so let's take a look at how they celebrate it in different places.

 

Valentine's Day in different countries around the world

Valentine's Day takes many forms in different cultures. In addition to love and romance, many countries have developed their own traditions and customs around it.

 

Only chocolate in Japan!

In Japan, it's the women who give the gifts to the men on Valentine's Day. On this day, women give different types of chocolates, which fall into two categories: 'giri-choco' (duty chocolate) is given to friends and colleagues, male relatives, while 'honmei-choco' (true feelings chocolate) is given to their loved ones. The 'honmei-choco' is the higher quality, more aesthetic and much more expensive. Then, a month later on 14 March, it's White Day and it's the men's turn to return the gift.

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Humour takes centre stage in Denmark

Danes traditionally give snowdrops as gifts, and they also write and make funny poetic messages to each other, the so-called "gaekkeblivet", because they make the cards themselves. On the card, they express their feelings in humorous, witty verses and rhymes. The cards don't have names on them, so you have to guess who sent which one.

 

L'amour in France

In the Romantic world, this holiday is a big deal. It's all about celebrating couples, exchanging classic gifts like flowers, chocolates, love letters and small gifts. France is also a popular romantic destination on Valentine's Day, because who wouldn't want to celebrate their love in this country?

 

Finland and Estonia are about friendship

Valentine's Day and "Sőbrapäev" are more about friendship than romance. Finns and Estonians give their friends and loved ones greeting cards and small gifts.

Wine and love in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, 14 February is also the day of Trifon Zarezan, or Vineyard Day, which is celebrated together with Valentine's Day to celebrate wine and love, the joys of life.

Mass weddings in the Philippines

It's been over ten years now since Filipinos started holding big weddings on Valentine's Day. They're often held in sports halls or shopping malls, and they're often sponsored by the state or local authorities. Sometimes, they involve dozens (or even hundreds) of couples getting married at the same time.

Public declarations of love in South Africa

In South Africa, lovers greet each other with flowers and sweets, but there's also a special custom: women write the name of the person they love on a heart and pin it to their clothes. Sometimes the person you've chosen is told that you have a secret admirer...

How do we celebrate?

Whatever your relationship status, there are some gifts that are guaranteed to impress your other half. It's a classic gift with a modern twist and it's easy to make it completely unique. The Million Roses forever flowers collection is the one to go for. You can choose from a wide range of sizes and colours, or create your own unique box. Browse through the Valentine's Day assortments and make your choice: you can be sure that you'll choose the perfect gift, a truly sophisticated yet luxurious surprise. 

Stylish colours

If your loved one would like a really trendy gift, choose a rose from the colours of the year 2025: cherry red, caper green, indigo lilac, or go for the natural colours, the more yellowish butter colour or the whiter cream 

The forever rose boxes  stay fresh for more than 3 years, so they will be a reminder of our thoughtfulness for a long time. Our rose bouquets are made with real flowers that are naturally preserved, so they're stunning to look at and they've got a strong, true rose smell.

Choose any rose for Valentine's Day, celebrate romance and love!