The origin of Valentine’s Day is attributed to Christian martyrs. Valentine was a common man’s name during the third century A.D. More than one lover of Christ named Valentine became sacrificed by the Emperor Claudius II who attempted to rid the Roman Empire of Christian customs.
A popular tale tells of a priest named Valentine who was imprisoned for performing Christian marriages for soldiers which was against the law. Before he was beheaded on Feb. 14, he sent a message to his jailor’s daughter who he had befriended and healed of a malady. He signed the letter “From Your Valentine.”
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day was dedicated to Christian love and the willingness to die for the sake of another. In the 14th and 15th centuries writers such as Chaucer and Shakespeare began associating Valentine’s Day with romantic love.
Songs and poems developed over the centuries as a means of expressing romantic thoughts. On Valentine’s Day sentiments were written on cards and letters and sent to loved ones.
In the Victorian era, elaborate Valentine cards were handmade. These were embellished with such decorations as lace, seashells, ribbons, foil and dried flowers.
In the 19th century Esther Howland became “The mother of the American Valentine.” She established the New England Valentine Company. It was the first company to mass produce Valentine cards making them accessible across the United States.
In our time we can find a vast assortment of Valentine cards in our local stores. Of course, a handmade a Valentine still a delightful way to tell someone that you care.
In the mid-19th century, Richard Cadbury developed “eating chocolate.” Cadbury needed a way to market it. He wedded heart packaging with chocolate candy for a Valentine delight.
Cadbury created beautiful heart shaped boxes augmented with cupids and rosebuds. After a loved one ate the chocolates, she could keep love letters in the box.
Anything with chocolate was very expensive at that time. Giving chocolates for Valentine’s Day became a precious gift.
Milton Hershey developed the process of covering yummy caramels with chocolate. In the early twentieth century Hershey began producing small kisses. A chocolate gift which once was possible only for the upper classes became an affordable Valentine treat for everyone.
Flowers are another popular gift for Valentine’s Day. The local flower shop here in Dos Palos goes all out with flowery gifts for any budget. See their Facebook page for newly designed flower arrangement gifts.
Celeste and Serena Sharp with the local Frik N Frak Shack is a plant rescue operation. The team will go to a home that has unwanted plants or succulent trimmings and collect them free of charge locally.
The Sharps create personal gifts using succulents and plants they propagate locally. Some of their creations are derived from a parent plant grown by their grandmother more than 50 years ago.
Flik N Flak Shack will pot attractive plants in any much-loved container. A grandmother’s beloved teacup or a deceased pet’s water bowl can become lasting living memorials.
Flik N Flak Shack can put together a planter with a person’s favorite plants. Choose any size container or bring your own.
The Sharp twins harvest aloe vera for soap and stone crystals. These products are derived from their grandmother’s originating aloe plant.
Valentine’s Day is not only a day for lovers to exchange gifts. It is a fine opportunity to let anyone know how much they are appreciated. Precious gifts and mementos are available from businesses and crafters locally.
(Janet Miller is a freelance writer specializing in family faith. She offers Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides on compact disc for families to explore the Bible jmiller@dospalos.org.)