Instructions
Preparation
February 14th is traditionally a celebration of love, so how do people in the UK mark the occasion?
Cards
Sending a Valentine’s card to a loved one is a custom that started more than a century ago. Couples give cards to each other, but it is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you secretly love. This practice is particularly common in schools and can be a source of great amusement and embarrassment as everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a secret admirer! Valentine’s Day symbols on cards include hearts designs, doves, and the figure of the winged angel, Cupid.
Poems
The card might also feature a poem. Probably the most famous lines from a Valentine’s Day poem are:
Roses are red, violets are blue,
Honey is sweet, and so are you.
There are some ironic variations on this poem such as:
Roses are red, violets are blue,
You look like a monkey and smell like one too!
Mobile love
Millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine’s Day greeting messages such as e-cards, social media posts or printable greeting cards. Texting your Valentine message is an easy (although maybe not very romantic!) option. Valentine’s Day text messages include:
- WUBMV – will you be my Valentine
- xoxoxoxoxo – hugs and kisses
- LUWAM<3 – love you with all my heart
- ImRdy4Luv – I’m ready for love
- :'-) – I’m so happy, I’m crying
- ILUVU – I love you
Flowers and chocolates
As well as cards, February 14th is also a day for giving gifts. Traditionally, men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends. There are lots of websites offering advice on which Valentine’s present to buy. Popular choices include red roses, a box of chocolates, romantic songs, a phone, jewellery, a photo frame or perfume.
Unusual gifts
Some people think that flowers and chocolates seem a little ordinary and so they look for a more unusual gift. For romantic people with plenty of cash, these gifts could include a helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to test-drive a Ferrari or an all-day session at a health club.
Others, however, complain that Valentine’s Day is yet another opportunity for ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics, the gift of love is enough. Valentine's Day is a popular day to either propose or get married – you’d never forget your wedding anniversary!
Valentine’s Day: love it or hate it?
We asked a few Brits about their views on Valentine’s Day and here’s what they said. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day, all the comments below are anonymous.
Love it! I always send cards to my mates – and my boyfriend, of course.
I would prefer to go without it. I don’t want gifts or money or anything like that. Knowing that I’m appreciated and that I can make others happy is good enough for me.
I got a card last year – but I still don’t know who sent it. I haven’t got a girlfriend.
My mum sends me a card every year. It’s sort of sweet but I think I’m getting a bit old for that now.
It’s just really humiliating. I’ve never received a Valentine’s card in my life. A day to switch off my phone because I know I’m not going to get any messages.
My boyfriend sent me a text message last year on Valentine’s Day. I suppose that’s kind of romantic but I’d rather have a present or even a real card.
I sent an anonymous Valentine’s card to a boy in my class when I was younger. Then my brother told him it was from me. I was so embarrassed!
I’m single so it’s definitely irritating. It’s too commercial anyway.
If a girl likes me I don’t need to waste money sending her a card just because it’s a tradition.
Chocolates, roses, cards, presents. Bring it on! I love Valentine’s Day!
Worksheets and downloads
Discussion
Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? If not, is there a similar day in your country?
Comments
am I the only one still FA? :v
Hi maihuong,
I'm not sure what you mean by FA. Can you explain?
Best wishes, Jo (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
Hi! I know the meaning of FA is forever alone that means you donnot have boy/girl friend or husband or wife, still alone.
I have no taste of celebrating this day!!
heck yes!! it's a very important part of the year.
We don't celebrate Valentine's Day in my country.
Love it! I always send cards to my bf
I like valentine's day text messages.it's very cute
Valentines day is so cut ... <3
I am from Bosnia and Hezegovina,we celebrate it with buying gifts,flowers,cards,... But,if you like your mate..you should show your love everyday,not only on February 14th ...
Valentics day is very interesting.IT is very romantic.
so valentines day is very romantic
yes cool
We celebrate Valentine’s Day at school. It's a good tradition. Everywhere we can hear the laughter and see the smiles. It's great. But as for me, I can't understand this holiday. I think it's a good way to get flowers and chocolate. I love chocolate ^_^ But Valentine’s Day isn't for me.
i do not celebrate valentine's day.in my country we celebrate three days in the year.
I don`t celebrate Valentine Day
In Azerbaijan it is not official holiday,but we can celebrate this holiday on 30th June.
I live in Estonia and I think Valentines day is celebreted in Estonia. People send cards and give gifts for their loved ones. In school we have a box where students can put their cards in.
In Romania we celebrate the Valentine's Day on 14 February,but is a similar celebration on February 24 called "Dragobete", which actually is the traditional celebration of ancestors.
Yes,we celebrate valentine's day,we do the same things<3It is sweet to see couples on the streets.I never got a present or a card or flowers but a child wrote my name on the school wall with big letters,this is my experience.XD lol
In Turkey only couples and radio stations celebrate it.(In Konya, I don't know other cities a lot)
I'm from Turkey. We celebrate this day but it's not a tradition to give cards anonymously here.
Couples give presents to each other. But , as you know women more cares about presents so men's presents are much more important than women's present.
Some Turks think that Valentines Day invented by malls :D I agree the shop owners earn a lot money before Valentines Day. :D
They said it in Aragaz in Metro, right?
I'm from Turkey. We celebrate valentines day in Turkey.Most of people gives eachother flowers and chocolate. -Dilara
Hi! In Turkey, we don't celebrate it tradionally but some couples buy each other chocolates, flowers or gifts.
No we don't celebrate this holiday we celebrate this holiday on 30th June
hi everybody i'm from paris we celebrate Valentine's Day and it is very important but i do not like this day a lot i think that love is more than a day :)
We don't celebrate Valentine's day in my country !
We dont celebrate Valentines Day.
Very exiting!
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