Valentine's Day is nearly here! So, it only seemed appropriate to share some facts about the holiday of LOVE!

It’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday (or unpopular, depending on your current relationship status). We browsed the internet to deliver these 14 interesting Valentine’s Day Facts about the holiday.

So, grab some chocolate and a glass of wine, and let’s get this list started …

1) Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making it the second most popular card-giving holiday next to the Christmas season—which stands at 2.6 billion cards each year.

valentine's day facts, cupid

2) A kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered good luck that will last you all year.

3) The phrase "wearing your heart on your sleeve" was first coined back in the Middle Ages. Young boys would draw girls' names to see who their Valentine would be. They would then pin the name of the girl on their sleeve and wear it for a week.

4) Each year, Americans end up spending over $277 million on Valentine’s Day cards.

valentine's day facts, roses
Courtesy of GIPHY

5) The most popular flower on Valentine’s Day is a single red rose with baby’s breath surrounding it. The red rose is the flower of the Roman goddess Venus, the goddess of love.

6) "The High Court of Love" is the first known official celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. It occurred in 1400 in Paris, France, and consisted of 30 women. They gathered to discuss marriage and divorce contracts, violence against women, and betrayals.

7) Valentine’s Day is a $14.7 billion industry in the United States alone.

8) The popular "Conversation Heart" candies are known to have a shelf-life of five years.

9) In the 18th and 19th centuries, British children would go door-to-door and sing songs before they started to beg for money or cake. It's kind of like how the tradition of Christmas carolers started. This is definitely a tradition we need to bring back! Like ASAP.

10) It’s been found that teachers are on the receiving end of most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, and wives.

valentine's day facts, chocolates
Courtesy of GIPHY

11) Caramel-flavored chocolates are the most popular Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes.

12) On Valentine’s Day in Germany, girls would plant onions in a pot that was placed near the fireplace, and next to the pot would be the names of boys. They believed that they would marry the boy whose name was near the onion that first started to grow.

13) In the United States, over 189 million stems of roses are sold.

14) Throughout history, there have been eight St. Valentines—three of the St. Valentines are said to have had feasts in their honor. Though only two have been known as the true inspiration behind Valentine’s Day; Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome.

If this list didn’t get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, I don’t know what will! And let’s be honest, some of these dead traditions seriously NEED to make a comeback! Who’s with me?! Let us know which facts surprised you and which Valentine’s Day tradition you would like to see come back!

Kristina Shriver
Associate Director of Our Community Now. When not writing or reading, Kristina likes to dance like no one is watching and enjoys speaking in vague movie references/quotes, which only a select few in her circle truly understand. A huge nerd, she loves attending comic book conventions (in costume, of course!) and engaging in geek-fueled conversations with anyone who is willing to listen to her ramble. She also dedicates her spare time to supporting various mental health organizations.
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