Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 in much of the world as a day to express love and affection. Its roots, however, belong to both ancient tradition and Christian history.
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the day may have received its romantic associations during the Middle Ages, with links to early poems celebrating love. Although multiple Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine are mentioned in early records — including a Roman priest who may have secretly married couples despite imperial prohibitions — the historical facts remain unclear and mixed.

Modern celebrations did not center on romance until the 14th century, when poets in England and France began linking the date with courtly love. Geoffrey Chaucer, a medieval English poet, played an important part in shaping this idea by writing about Valentine’s Day as a day when birds choose mates — a metaphor that connected the saint’s feast with spring and love.
By the 1700s and 1800s, exchanging love notes became more common, and by the mid-19th century, printed cards started replacing handwritten letters. In the United States, mass-produced valentines began in the 1840s thanks to Esther A. Howland, sometimes called the “Mother of the Valentine”, whose elaborately decorated cards made the holiday more popular.

Valentine’s Day Traditions in Different Countries

Today, Valentine’s Day is recognized in countries around the world, but local customs vary widely — and many reveal unique cultural attitudes toward love and relationships.

United States, Canada, Australia, UK
In the U.S., Britain, Canada, and Australia, Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated by couples exchanging cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts. Romantic dinners — and increasingly, proposals and special experiences — are common. Some schools also have children exchange valentines with classmates as a friendly celebration of affection.

Japan and South Korea
In Japan, Valentine’s Day has a unique twist: women traditionally give chocolates to men on February 14. A month later, on White Day, men reciprocate with gifts — often more elaborate — to the women who gave chocolates. South Korea follows a similar pattern and has even added Black Day on April 14, when single people get together to eat dark-colored foods and commiserate.

Italy
Italy celebrates both modern and historical Valentine's traditions. In Verona — famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet — the annual “Verona in Love” festival includes romantic events and celebrations. Italians often gift chocolates and roses, and special dinners are a favorite way to mark the occasion.

Germany
Valentine’s Day in Germany was largely popularized after World War II and today resembles the American style of celebration. Many couples exchange flowers (especially red roses), chocolates, and special sweet treats. In some regions, heart-shaped gingerbread cookies known as Lebkuchenherzen are a traditional symbol of affection.

Peru, South Africa, and Beyond
In Peru, Valentine’s Day often coincides with summer festivities and carnivals, and orchids — abundant in the Andes — are a popular Valentine’s gift. In South Africa, some young people continue an older tradition of literally wearing their hearts on their sleeves by pinning a partner’s name in hopes of reciprocation.

Iran and Cultural Pushback
Valentine’s Day has also spread to countries where it isn’t traditionally part of the cultural calendar. In Iran, for example, it has grown in popularity among young people since the 2000s, though it has also faced criticism from conservative authorities and efforts to promote an older Zoroastrian tradition of love celebrations instead of the Western holiday.

Symbols and Gifts That Became Tradition

Certain symbols and gifts — like roses, chocolates, and “valentines” (cards or messages) — have become almost universal.

• Red roses: In many cultures, the red rose symbolizes romantic love and passion, making it a Valentine’s staple.
• Cards: Valentine’s cards date back to the 1500s, and printing technology in the 1800s made them widely popular.
• Chocolates and candies: Mass-produced chocolates helped define the holiday in the late 19th and 20th centuries, especially heart-shaped boxes introduced by British confectioners in the 1860s.

Today, it isn’t uncommon for people to give jewelry, handwritten letters, romantic trips, or shared experiences — and even gifts for friends and family, as the day’s focus has broadened beyond couples in some places.

Valentine’s Beyond Couples — Community and Connections

While Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love, many cultures and communities also use the day to celebrate friendship and connection. In Finland and Estonia, for instance, February 14 is sometimes known as “Friend’s Day”, emphasizing the importance of platonic relationships alongside romantic ones.
There are also alternative observances such as Singles Awareness Day on February 15, created by students to celebrate singleness and community rather than romantic partnership.

Gift Ideas That Go Beyond the Ordinary

If you’re thinking about Valentine’s Day gifts, here are ideas that combine meaningfulness and cultural resonance:

1. Personalized cards with handwritten messages
Honoring the early tradition of valentines, heartfelt letters or cards show effort and emotion.
2. Flowers with a story
Instead of generic bouquets, choose blooms that have personal significance — such as the first flower your partner gave you.
3. Culinary experiences or classes
Cooking a special meal together or taking a class builds memories as well as skills.
4. Shared experiences
Concert tickets, a weekend getaway, or a favorite activity can be more valuable than material gifts.
5. Language learning together
A truly thoughtful and enduring gift is the opportunity to learn together. Gifting a language course unlocks future travel adventures, deeper cultural understanding, and shared milestones that last long after Valentine’s Day itself.

Celebrate Love, Learn Language

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms — romantic, friendly, and even self-love. Its long and fascinating history shows how humans across time and cultures have found ways to express affection, appreciation, and connection.
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, family, or even yourself, one of the most meaningful gifts you can give is the gift of growth. Learning a language deepens cultural understanding, opens conversations, and brings people closer in ways few gifts can match.

💌 Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a way that lasts? Join us at Native Speakers Courses for a free trial lesson with a native speaker and discover how language learning can become a shared adventure. Consider gifting a language course to someone you love this Valentine’s — a present that truly keeps on giving.