
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
i live in albania.here we celebrate the valentine's day on 14th february.i like it !! :* :)
Yes, of course we celebrate valentine's day in albania. it s celebrated on 14th febrary every year. people who are on a relationship go out and celebrate ts day on diskos and restaurants. i thnk it is celebrated a lot here. how about on other states is or how it is celebrated?
I live in GREECE.We celebrate Valentine's day on 14of February.Usually people give presents to the people they love.Usually we offer hearts of love lyrics,chocolate hearts,cards of love and romantic dinner.At night people go to the restaurant and drink: wine,beer,and they eat Thai food and greek scordila...Love Valentine's girl. ♥♥♥♥Usually eat and tzatzikidion.♥♥♥♥♥
Hi Siva_lol! How are you?
hello, everyone.
I just found this site and you know what I'm lovin it !!
Hi shandana. Welcome, and have a look round the site. There's a lot of interesting things to read, watch and do. I look forward to reading your comments in the comment boxes!
Jonathan (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
Love is great and Valentine's Day shows it more by seeing all couples feeling happy!!!! <3
I think you're right because we cannot live without love. love is the most important thing that we have in our lifes
Valentine's Day is the most beautiful day for the lovers. I like it a lot, and I celebrate it with my girlfriend!!
I don't like valentine's day. But i like give presents....so, this is interesting^^
I'm from Russia and I think that it day for a lovers! But I don't present choclate for people!
because my girlfriend lives in Nikich Krasava country!
I'm from Belarus and many, many people of our country like this holyday. On every St. Valintine's Day people present cards and chocolate for each other.
I live in the country Nikich krasava and there we celebrate day of St. Nikich! We give each other nikitinki! they are in the form of the holy Nikich! I love my country!
Hi Christine123,
Hmmmm ... that sounds like a very strange country. ;)
Jo (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
Hello eveybody:) I'm from Belarus and I like this holiday very much:) It is so romatic)
Yes we celebrate valentine's day in Albania
hellow everyone .. im from albania and here there is a valentine day in the same date , 14th february , im a teenager girl , and i like this day and this day doesnt mean just for the couples , it also is the love you have for your family , friends , not even for your boyfriend , but i like having anonymous cards in this day :)
We celebrate Valentine's Day in Albania but I never had a date so...yeah.
Well, I live in Russia. As for the Russians, we also celebrate this holiday on the 14th of February. For some people it`s a great holiday but for another it`s not. Every person chooses his own way of celebrating this holiday. But sending Valentines cards is the most popular. So you may send a card to everyone you like and want to show someone your love on such a special day. I suppose young people like this holiday much more than older ones. But it`s only my opinion. As for me I celebrate this holiday and like to send cards to my friends.
People celebrate Valentine's Day in my country. It is a wonderful day!! I like it very much. In this day people usually present chocolates, toys, flowers and valentine cards each other. Valentine's Day is popular with young people. It is not nation holyday that's why older people don't like it but some of them celebrate it.
I live in Russia. Actually, Valentine's Day is a very popular holiday among Russians, especially among teenagers. Boys and girls buy gifts to each other, for instance plush toys, flowers, chocolates and beautiful cards, etc. It's very nice to watch happy couples sitting in cafes(or cinemas) kissing and hugging.
Ahoy from Kamchatka!
We are from Russia and we do celebrate St. Valentine's day! As usual we celebrate it as British people do - we send cards, give roses and buy chocolate :) But in my view men send cards more often than women - a man should make a "first step towards love". Also I can say that this holiday is more popular among young people rather then adults. (To say truth English teachers make us to celebrate this occasion and to write cards although it isn't an official holiday at all ;D )
ALBANIANS CELEBRATE A LOT ST VALENTINE'S DAY. I THINK THAT IS THE ONLY DAY WHEN ALBANIANS ARE THE LOVEST PEOPLE IN THE UNIVERS. I DO NOT REALLY LIKE THIS DAY.
in my country ALBANIA celebrate this day...........
in ALBANIA valentine`s day is in 14th feb, is the perfect day to send gift to your girlfriend
Here in Brazil we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, but there is a special day just for boyfriends and girlfriends exchange presents and spend time together. It happens at 12th June.
well in my country it's a very popular "party" but i don't celebrate it
I live in Kazakhstan and here people don't celebrate Valentine's Day , but I with my friends celebrate this day. It;s such nice day ))
I think Valentine's Day is a great day. It's the day of Love.
Personnally, I'm single and I didn't celebrated yet.
Maybe this year.
HI !!! I live in Albania and Valentine's Day celebrated here but I'm not sure if it is like in different countries of the world. but i like this day
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