Valentine's Day: The lovers day

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 and is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, giving flowers and chocolate. It is also the day on which anonymous valentine cards are sent. Why anonymously? Well flirting with a member of the opposite sex can be quite exciting, especially if you get to see the person opening the valentine card you sent. But if they know your handwriting, it might be wise to get a good friend to do the writing for you - just in case you're found out.

As usual there is conflicting evidence about who the day is named after and when people started to use that day to send notes of love, but is said to be around the 19th century. Nowadays of course, handwritten notes have largely given way to the mass market, mass produced cards we see in the shops today - along with other traditional symbols of love. The hearts, the roses, cupid and white doves. But nonetheless, it is a beautiful way to say "I love you"