What is this holiday - Valentine's Day? We tell the story and interesting facts, as well as how you can conduct it in 2018.
Many believe that Valentine's Day was invented by sellers of postcards and soft toys, so that lovers bought their goods. Not at all! This holiday has its own history and traditions. Now we will tell you everything.
History of the holiday
The story originated in ancient Rome. Emperor Claudius II forbade young men of his state to marry so that women would not prevent them from taking them into the army. The lord believed that it was the ladies who did not let their spouses go to war. And supposedly they deliberately prevent the strong sex from defending their homeland.
But love, as we know, can not be defeated. And people were married secretly. And the local healer and preacher of Christianity St. Valentine helped them in this matter. But the happiness of the young did not last long. Unfortunately, before the emperors came rumors of secret weddings, and the offender of law Valentine was thrown into prison. The preacher was told that he was being executed the next day. Without losing a minute, he wrote a love letter to his beloved girl and asked me to pass it on. Which was the last desire of the martyr.
In two hundred years, the Catholic Church Valentina canonized. And in 496 the Roman Pope Gelasius announced February 14 as Valentine's Day.
Traditions of the holiday in different countries of the world
Actively celebrate Valentine's Day in different countries began only in the XIX century. And to this day every year, on February 14, lovers give each other cards in the form of the heart, arrange romantic dates, make proposals, get married.
In Japan, for example, girls are given chocolate. The fact is that the men of the country of the rising sun, as a rule, do not like sweets. And this delicacy is considered a purely feminine predilection.
In England, it is common to guess. Unmarried girls on the morning of February 14 go out into the street and look out for birds. If on the way they meet a robin - this means that the future husband will be a sailor. A sparrow symbolizes a poor man, and the dandy, on the contrary, is portended by the rich man's wife.
In the United States of America lovers are given marzipans, as well as sweets of red and white. In the States they are sure that flowers and sweets are symbols of love and purity.
Men of the French are not original. For each Valentine's Day, they present their favorite jewelry. Other gifts they do not accepted.
In Denmark, and at all send each other dried white flowers.
And in Spain they send love letters to each other with a post pigeon.
In Iceland, February 14, lit fires in the name of the son of the god Odin. In this country, the flame symbolizes passion.
But there is a tradition that is honored at once in all countries: if you make an offer on February 14 or play a wedding this day, the marriage will be happy and strong.
Original gifts
FOR HIM
Send your loved one on an interesting journey. Let it be an invitation card for a fencing lesson, a flight in an airtrue or a paraglider, or a master class for tasting alcoholic beverages.
Or, on the contrary, relax the second half. Go with him to the SPA-salon, where you are waited by relaxing procedures: hammam, massage, wraps, pool.
Ticket for football, hockey, boxing, basketball. It all depends on the sporting preferences of your loved one.
And, of course, a gift made with own hands will become expensive. For example, a bright collage of joint photos with memorable moments. Or bake a cake in the form of a heart.
FOR HER
Desired gifts for women are flowers, perfumes and jewelry. If you are afraid that you do not please your partner - buy a gift card in the store. Let her choose what she really needs.
Romantic candlelight dinner prepared by men. Do not forget about serving, candles and music.
Joint photo session. Do not spare money for the stylist - let him create you new interesting images: the heroes of your favorite films or books.
Go to the theater for a romantic comedy. Raise one another's spirits.
Romantic dinner for "five minutes" - the best recipes
If you still decide on a delicious dinner - here are some interesting ideas.
Avocado salad with egg
It is necessary:
1 avocado
1 tomato
1 egg
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Mayonnaise
Cooking:
Avocado cut into two halves, remove the pulp from it and mash it in a mash. Cut the boiled egg and tomato into cubes. Mix all the ingredients, season with lemon juice and mayonnaise. Serve the salad in crusts from the avocado.
Main course - trout with pine nuts
It is necessary:
2 trout steak
1 tbsp. l. butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
A little lemon peel
25 g of pine nuts
A bunch of parsley
2 tbsp. l. olive oil
Salt and white ground pepper to taste
Cooking:
Wash fish, salt, pepper. In a separate cup, mix together lemon juice, most of the finely chopped greens, zest and half of the crumbled nuts. Pour the resulting fish sauce and send it to the oven for one hour at a temperature of 180 degrees. Put ready fish on plates, sprinkle with remaining whole nuts.
Dessert - caramel pear
It is necessary:
2 pears
1 cup of sugar
100 g of butter
A drop of liquid vanilla
Cooking:
Cut the pears into quarters and remove the bones. Place on a dish that will be served to the table. Melt butter and sugar in a frying pan, add vanilla. Fry until the sugar has a light caramel shade. Pour the pear into the caramel.
Bon Appetit!
