Looking for romantic ideas for your loved one this Valentine’s Day? This lovers’ day is the ideal time to celebrate love, whether you’re married, in a long term relationship, dating or still searching for your special someone. Take the chance to remind your Valentine how much he or she means to you – rekindle, reaffirm or kickstart the romance in your life with a romantic gesture, small or large, on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day history
Originally a Pagan fertility festival celebrating the god Lupercus, St Valentine’s Day was adopted by the Christian faith to eventually become the celebration of love and romance it is today.

Who was Saint Valentine?

There are three martyred St Valentine’s, but most historians agree that the lovers’ day Saint was a priest who lived during the reign of Roman emperor Claudius II. Saint Valentine was put to death for performing marriage ceremonies at a time when marriage was prohibited – unmarried men were said to make better, stronger soldiers!

How did St Valentine’s Day become a lovers’ day?

During the 14th century, an era when the idea courtly love was celebrated, the Christian festival of St Valentine’s Day became associated with romance. In 1381, Chaucer wrote a poem to acknowledge the first anniversary of the engagement of England’s King Richard II and Anne of Bohemia; in his work he connected the event to the mating of birds and to the Christian feast of Saint Valentine’s Day. From this time, the festival was associated with romantic love.

Where did the idea of giving Valentine’s Day cards come from?
By the 18th Century, the tradition of exchanging Valentine’s Day gifts, cards and tokens of love was established in Europe, but the practice did not become widespread in the rest of the western world until the 19th Century. Today, the commercialised holiday has even spread to Asian culture: in China on The Night of Sevens, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, girls and young women show off their domestic skills and make wishes for a good husband. Japanese Valentine’s Day gifts are much like those of our own celebration, with women giving chocolate orValentine’s flowers to boyfriends and male colleagues.

Romantic Valentine’s Day ideas

Show your loved one that you care and get some romance into your life, with:

• Valentine’s Day flowers – Say it with flowers! Valentine’s Day roses are the tried and true way to show your affection, but there are many varieties of flower to send that will deliver a message of love, passion and devotion.

• Valentine’s Day gifts – Shop smart on Valentine’s Day with our guide to Valentine’s gift shopping for him and her, including chocolates, lingerie, jewellery and personalized Valentine’s Day gifts.
• Valentine’s Day dating – Whether you’re in a relationship or still searching for love, taking someone on a romantic Valentine’s Day date is the perfect way to get to know a potential mate, grow closer or just enjoy a fun-filled night out!
• Valentine’s Day dinner – What better way to celebrate and spend time with a loved one than sharing a romantic dinner at your favourite restaurant – or at home! Get inspired with ideas for DIY Valentine’s dinner romance and find romantic dining options in your area.