It wasn’t always celebrated with chocolate and roses on Valentine’s Day!

It comes around once a year and is usually touted as a big corporate scheme. But Valentine’s Day is way more than just a Hallmark holiday — it actually has a pretty rich history that dates all the way back to Ancient Rome! Across the United States and other parts of the world, people celebrate February 14 by exchanging everything from candy hearts and red roses to cute cards and romantic gifts with loved ones. But how exactly did these sweet traditions come about?

If you’re planning to celebrate V-Day this year with a romantic candlelit dinner with your S.O. (and plenty of delicious V-Day desserts afterwards, of course), you can be sure to impress your date with these 14 interesting Valentine’s Day facts — including fascinating details of how this romantic holiday first began and fun facts about how it came to be the modern candy-filled day it is today.

1. It has some pretty dark roots.

Historians believe Valentine’s Day actually began in Ancient Rome as a pagan fertility festival called Lupercalia, with the celebration dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Roman founders Romulus and Remus

2. In the 1300s, it officially became a holiday associated with love and romance.

3. Saint Valentine wasn’t just one person.

In fact, he might have been two or three. But the most common “founder” of Valentine’s Day was the Saint Valentine who defied Emperor Claudius II. At the time, Claudius had banned marriage because he thought it distracted young soldiers. Valentine felt a bit differently — he illegally married couples until he was caught. After he was sentenced to his death, young couples would visit his cell and give him flowers and cards. And the day he actually died? February 14. Allegedly.

4. The first valentine was sent in the 15th century.

5. Not until the 1840s did we get the first mass-produced valentines.

6. Today, it’s pretty big business.

About 55% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day and spend an estimated $19.6 billion a year, including more than $1.8 billion on candy alone.

7. Americans send 145 million Valentine’s Day cards each year.

Which makes it the second biggest holiday for exchanging greeting cards, after Christmas! And how sweet: Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards annually, followed by children, mothers, and wives. Needless to say, we’ve come a long way from 1913, which was when Hallmark Cards produced their first Valentine’s card!

8. And they also spend nearly $650 million on gifts for their pets.

9. The Valentine’s Day gift that people spend the most on is jewelry.

10. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861.

11. Conversation hearts got their start as medical lozenges.

12. But it wasn’t until 1866 that we first got sweet printed messages on conversation hearts.

13. More than 8 billion conversation hearts are manufactured each year.

14. Nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day.

15. It’s celebrated differently around the world.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Would love for you to share below.

Mark your calendar January 28th!

From the Heart Card Class

Features the Heartfelt Bundle, that was just released. Want the class for FREE? That’s easy!
Just purchase the Heartfelt Bundle or any order over $25 at my online store and
use host code: AW9MUJFM (your products come to your door directly) and
I’ll send you a kit in the mail for FREE!
(For each $50 in product remember you get FREE SAB stamp set(s))
(Please also register for the class so you get the directions emailed).
Here are the details for this month’s class:

When:
-Tuesday, January 28 * 11 AM- 1:30 PM or
-Packet To your Door

Where:

Squirrel’s Nest Cafe
826 W Bridge Street
Morrisville, PA., 19067

Seats limited so register today here
https://robin-s-boyer.square.site/

Get your packets, pre embossed, pre cut, so all you have to do is stamp, learn the techniques and assemble 4 projects!
To GO? You have the following options that are shipped to your door.

Make a purchase at my Online store using Host Code – Attend FREE Class w/packet
Purchase $25 class fee – Attend Class w/packet
Purchase $25 class fee- Packet to go (pick up or mailed)
Make a purchase at my Online Store using Host Code – Packet to go (pick up or mailed)
Early Reg by 1/19 Saves $5

Directions and packets will be mailed/emailed by 2/1/2020
* Include the stamp set score a sweet deal!
* Get your pre-cut kit in person or to go.
* Place an order in my online store to get the class packet mailed for free.
(Host Code) AW9MUJFM at my online store

Recommended supplies to assemble these projects as shown with the packets:
151417 Heartfelt Stamp Set or
153775 Heartfelt Bundle
Having extra punches on hand would be super helpful if you make a mistake in stamping your packet.
Ink Pads: Lovely Lipstick and Real Red
You’ll also need: Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Liquid Glue, Paper Snips.

Please register /w payment ASAP by 21st of January I will need to order supplies for class. Register by the
Sunday Jan 19th midnight you will be refunded $5
Kits to go will go out by FEB 1st if not sooner.

PS. This is my first class listed on my square site. I’m still working out the kinks setting them up. So please be patient. When you register please email me or PM on Facebook so I know you registered by the 19th. At this website I hope to list some of the retired products to the site as well. I’m finding it takes a lot of time to list and making sure they work. But I’m always learning something new.

accessories, Cards, handmade, holiday, Online shopping, tutorials

Robin's Creative Corner

Valentine’s Day! It wasn’t always celebrated with chocolate and roses.