Okay…you know that you are supposed to give red roses, candy, jewelry, etc. to the one you love on February 14th each year. But how much do you know about St. Valentine’s Day? The answers to the questions are at the bottom so don’t scroll down until you have answered all of the questions.

1. Which Roman god is one of the symbols of St. Valentine’s Day?

a. Diana
b. Bacchus
c. Cupid
d. Mars

2. Who was St. Valentine?

a. A Roman historian
b. A Roman Legionnaire
c. A priest in Rome
d. A Roman senator

3. Which one of these famous men were NOT born on St. Valentine’s Day?

a. Gregory Hines
b. Jimmy Hoffa
c. Fred Astaire
d. Jack Benny

4. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day of love but on St. Valentine’s Day in 1929 there was a mob war that is called the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”. What were the names of the two mob bosses whose men were involved in the massacre?
 
a. Charlie Luciano and Bugsy Siegel
b. Pauolo Gambini and Don Corleone
c. Al Capone and Bugs Moran
d. Al Capone and John Gotti

5. What flower is the traditional Valentine’s Day flower?

a. White Roses
b. Gladiolas
c. Red Roses
d. Orange Blossoms

Answers:

1. c.  Cupid is the correct answer.
2. c. A priest in Rome is the correct answer.
3. c. Fred Astaire is the correct answer. (He was born on May 10, 1899)
4. c. Al Capone and Bugs Moran is the correct answer. (Are you seeing a pattern here?)
5. c. Red Roses is the correct answer.

There are several theories about where and how St. Valentine’s Day got started. The real reason why, each year we celebrate love on the fourteenth day of February, may always be shrouded in mystery but there is no shortage of the legends about why this is true.  

One theory is that Valentine was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II in Rome during the third century 270 A.D. Claudius, it is said, decided that single men made better soldiers than married men so he issued a decree making it illegal for young men to marry. The priest, Valentine, continued to perform wedding ceremonies in spite of the decree. He just performed the ceremonies in secret. When Claudius found out about Valentine’s disobedience he ordered him executed. He was buried on the Via Flaminia in Rome and his relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome.

Valentine’s Day contains vestiges of ancient Roman tradition as well as Christian tradition and the Catholic Church has at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus all of whom are martyred.

There are stories that suggest that St. Valentine was killed by the Romans for helping Christians escape from Roman prisons. There is also a legend that says that Valentine actually sent the first Valentine greeting himself to a young woman (rumored to have been the daughter of one of his jailers) while he was imprisoned. The legend claims that Valentine wrote a love letter to her before his death and signed it “From your Valentine”. (This is the legend that I like the most.)

You can choose the legend that you like the best. Just don’t forget to send Valentine’s Day greetings to all of those whom you love on February 14th…and especially to that special someone in your life! Valentine’s Day is the day to celebrate love in all of its many forms.

What are they typing into Google? Words like:

“Unique Valentines gift”… or “Valentines day surprise”… or “Valentines day ideas”.

Of course, everyone wants to surprise their beloved with something truly different! They’re hoping that somewhere out there, tucked away in a corner of Cyberspace, they’re going to find an idea. Something that will make their Valentines Day target really sit up and take notice.

If that’s what you’re doing, you’re going to be pleased that you found THIS. Why? The next few sentences are going to share the secrets of a truly original V-Day gift. It’s really so simple that you’re going to kick yourself for not working it out for yourself. But we’re wasting time… let’s get down to it. All you need, you see, is a system.

Are you rolling your eyes and wondering if you’ve wandered into a staff meeting by mistake? Never fear. This WORKS. For the sake of convenience, we’re going to use “she” - but this works just as well for males or females.

== Step 1. Cut Out The Traditional Gifts. ===

Or if you don’t cut them out, at least make them an ‘add on’ to the main gift. A box of chocolates as a warm-up, or red roses as a parting gift… yes, that’s nice. But puh-lease… don’t rush into the florist at the last minute and buy a bunch of whatever’s left just so she will keep speaking to you.

== Step 2. Work Out What She DOESN’T Want. ==

This is not rocket science. If she hates seafood you’re not going to take her to All-You-Can-Eat-Lobster. If she is into minimalist decorating then she’s not likely to appreciate Wedgwood vases. If the Three Tenors make her go weak at the knees then she probably won’t be keen on Hip Hop. The big trap here is buying her something that YOU like rather than what SHE likes. Open your eyes. Make sure you really know what makes her tick.

== Step 3. What Does She Buy? ===

What a girl owns will tell you a lot about what she likes. Does she pore over the jewelry catalogs, or brush them aside in favor of the latest brochure from the computer store? If she already wears six different chains around her neck and four bracelets and seven rings, you can safely assume she’s REALLY into jewelry. But if a ten year old watch is the only adornment you can see, forget it.

If she loves sports gear and already has four pairs of cross-trainers, go shopping at the sports store. If she adores animals, buy something related to her pets - or maybe buy her an unusual new pet, if it will fit into her lifestyle.

Are you beginning to see a pattern here? Yep, “What fits her lifestyle” - that’s the key. Let’s continue…

== Step 4. Think Outside The Square ==

Now that you have your list of what she does and doesn’t like (you are making a list, aren’t you?) it’s time to get really creative. Here are a few examples:

She likes jewelry:- What kind of jewelry will have a special meaning for her? Think in terms of where it’s bought; any tie-ins with days or dates; a unique way you might deliver it. Can you present it in a way that will never be forgotten? (In the NICEST way, of course!)

She likes hi-tech toys:- Can you add a special song to a new MP3 player? Or present her with a new DVD player plus a romantic movie as a bonus? (If she’s not into romantic movies - and plenty of girls aren’t: they prefer to live romance rather than watch it! - how about the latest action thriller?)

She likes the outdoor life: If you’re into grand gestures, how about a new kayak plus a river trip organized to go with it? Or if you’re low on funds… a ticket to a sporting match along with a signed photo of her favorite sports star? (Yes, you do have to plan ahead for that one.)

== Step 5. The Valentine’s Day Follow Up ==

True love is all about thinking of others ALL the time, not just on one day of the year. To be truly unique, why not organize a 12-step St Valentine’s Day surprise - something new on the 14th of EVERY month! The gifts don’t have to be large or expensive. A foot massage after a tiring day is more welcome than diamonds for a weary girlfriend. Start by giving her a meaningful gift on Valentine’s Day, and accompany it with a note telling her there’ll be another surprise on 14th March… then 14th April… then 14th May…

Do you think she won’t be telling the world how wonderful you are? You better believe it!

Hearts and Flowers Valentine’s Day Jewelry

Valentine’s Day is the one day each year that is designated as the day to say, “I love you” with both words and gifts. There are many who think of Valentine’s Day as just another commercial opportunity…..a day for which florists, candy makers and jewelry stores are most grateful….but  I prefer to think of Valentine’s Day as an opportunity….an opportunity to tell the love of my life that she is and will be loved for all of my life.

Traditionally Valentine’s Day jewelry is heart shaped. (A heart is the universal symbol of love.) The jewelry might be a heart shaped pendant, heart shaped earrings, a bracelet featuring hearts of a ring featuring hearts. There might or might not be precious of semi-precious stones included in the jewelry. The value of Valentine’s Day jewelry isn’t so much monetary as sentimental. (Buy the best that you can afford for your love without breaking the bank or sending yourself deeply into debt….it really IS the thought that counts here!)

Rubies are the traditional stone for Valentine’s Day if there is one simply because they are red in color. Diamonds are always a wonderful choice of a precious stone for the one you love. “They” say that diamonds are forever.

The most important thing that you need to know (next to how much you can afford to spend) is your love’s taste in jewelry. The best way to know what she likes is to take notice of what she buys for herself and what she wears. If you are thinking about buying her a bracelet for Valentine’s Day, you need to notice whether she wears bracelets or not and if she does how large the bracelets are. The same is true of pendants, earrings and rings. Knowing what she likes is part of telling her that you love her. Being able to choose a piece of jewelry that will please her tells her that you care enough to have noticed.

Take the opportunity offered on Valentine’s Day to tell the one that you love how much you care.

Here are some of my favorite love quotes for Valentine’s Day.

Number 1: Oscar Hammerstein from The Sound of Music:

 “A bell is no bell ’til you ring it,
A song is no song ’til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
‘Til you give it away.”

Number 2: Leo Tolstoy said, “All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”

Number 3: In Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia, William Shakespeare wrote:

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.”

Number 4: Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:

 “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.”

Number 5: A. A. Milne, from Winnie the Pooh, “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.”

Number 6: Rupert Brooke said, “A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.”

Number 7: Robert Browning said, “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.”

Number 8: Virgil said, “Love conquers all things.”

Number 9: Henry Van Dyke said,

 “Time is
Too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
But for those who love,
Time is eternity.”

And last but not least…

Number 10: Lucy Van Pelt, in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz, “All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

Christmas and New Year’s vacation was over. I was back in school facing the prospect that it was months before warm weather would really be back and even longer before I wouldn’t be required to get up, brush my teeth, put on clean clothes and go to school five days a week. I liked hanging out with by buddies okay but I had recently noticed that the girls in my class actually smelled better than my buddies. They were softer and sweeter and there was one, Amber, who seemed to be softer and sweeter than the others. I began to think of Amber as my (gasp) girl friend. I sure wouldn’t have wanted my buddies to know that but there it was.

One day the teacher, Miss Sherman, set a large box that was covered in red paper and had white hearts on it in the front of the classroom. She began to explain Valentine’s Day to the class. She told us about St. Valentine and about Roman and Greek mythology…or something like that. I really wasn’t paying much attention until she said that Valentine’s Day was a day to tell people that we liked them. “Ah Ha,” I thought. “Here is my chance to let Amber know that she was my girl friend!”

Miss Sherman passed out those little heart shaped candies to the whole class….the ones that have words written on them…and lo and behold…I was holding the perfect way to let Amber know that I was her boy friend. The little heart I was holding said, “Be Mine”. Perfect! This was just what I needed. I stuck the heart in my pocket so I could pass it to Amber later when my buddies wouldn’t know. All day I carried that little heart around in my pocket and then finally, just as the school day was over, I got my chance. I walked by her desk and set the heart right there in front of her. She took one look and screamed! “WHAT IS THAT?” The heart was a tad worse for the wear after living in my pocket all day.

That was my first experience with trying to tell a girl that I liked her. I’ve gotten a little better at it over the years…at least I hope I have. I, of course, grew up and married Amber. I still give her a slightly melted candy heart every year but there are always roses, candy and a nice piece of jewelry included. See…I did get better!

Cupid’s Arrows

One of the most universally recognized symbols of Valentine’s Day is Cupid. Legend has it that Cupid (that winged creature that makes us fall in love) is actually equipped with two kinds of arrows. He has golden arrows which cause true love when they penetrate the heart but he also has arrows made of lead which cause wanton sensual passion.

Cupid is the Roman god of love. He is said to be the son of Venus (the goddess of love) and is usually depicted as a chubby, mischievous child with wings who is armed with a bow and a quiver containing a never-ending supply of golden arrows. He uses the bow to shoot a golden arrow into the heart of the unsuspecting victim causing them to fall in love with the next person they meet.

There is a mythological story that describes how Venus, while playing with her son, is scratched by one of his arrows and then falls instantly and helplessly in love with Adonis…the first man she saw after receiving the wound.

In Greek mythology Cupid is known as Eros and is the winged son of Aphrodite. Cherubs are believed to be the descendants of Eros and they are usually depicted as lovable little winged angles that are not armed with bows and arrows.

If Cupid aims an arrow in your direction this Valentine’s Day, just hope that he uses a golden arrow and not one that was made of lead. Wanton desire ends but true love lasts forever.