Valentine’s Day: Then and Now
by Suzie Kostick on January 25, 2019 at 4:06 pmBelieve it or not, Valentine’s Day was not created by florists, greeting card companies or candy makers.
In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius established February 14th as Valentine’s Day. Named for a martyred Christian saint, it was a move to cast the holiday’s predecessor, Lupercalia, as pagan. Celebrated by the ancient Romans, Lupercalia was a bacchanalian party meant to purify the city of evil spirits, releasing health and fertility.
Valentine’s Day as we know it started around the early 1800s, when companies began to mass-produce elaborately decorated cards, which were often attached to boxes of candy. As cut flowers became more accessible, they too became popular gifts given on this special day … and so, a tradition was born.
The rose is undoubtedly the flower most associated with the modern Valentine’s Day, and flower shops carry a large selection of beautiful blossoms, some specifically brought in for Valentine’s Day. Florists select these blooms based on their longevity, color diversity, unique characteristics (such as petal shape) and fragrance.
Flowers come in all colors, shapes and sizes, and your florist can help you select the perfect gift to wow your sweetheart. Read More