Survey: Will You Be My Valentine?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02.13.08
Some say it started with Lupercalia, a roman fertility rite celebrated on February 15. Others blame Chaucer, who wrote "For this was on seynt Volantynys day, Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate]. Most blame Leigh Eric Schmidt, who made the first mass-produced valentine of paper lace in 1847. Wherever the truth lies, it is now big business: In 2006 Americans spent 13.7 billion dollars on it, and bought 190 million valentine cards. (WP); image from My anti-valentine
i voted for #3, but i don't think it is a 'silly ritual.' my hubby and i don't go crazy, but we enjoy the, admittedly commercialized, oppurtunity to rememeber how much we love each other and to get something small and cutsy for each of our children.
I took my sweetie to a jazz show in advance of The Day and we had a great time.
$77? One can't even get decent organic flowers delievered for that. And dinner at a place line the vegan creme de le creme (ironic juxtaposition acknowledged) http://www.madeleinebistro.com/ in Tarzana, CA tacts on another good $100. I managed to spend more than $77 this year and I'm not even dating anyone seriously, plus valentine's day isn't even until tomorrow.
My choice isn't on there. I made my own gift and card by hand.
Just came across something called
Gift Your Valentine .
Come demonstrates the degree of love, affection and commitment for your loved ones.