Carlee Schmelzer

Everyone knows Valentine’s day falls on Feb. 14, but no one really knows why. Have you ever wondered why this holiday is celebrated by giving and receiving chocolates and  flowers? Well, what is commonly thought of as a corny, money pit of a holiday actually has an origins hat date back to the 5th century. Originally, Valentine’s day was a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope 

Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day. It was not until many years later, in the 14th century, that this holiday became synonymous with love. This Christian feast day gradually snowballed into the holiday we know of today with cards, chocolates and Cupid, the Roman god of eroctic love.

Valentine’s Day cards were originally small tokens of affection sent to lovers and secret admirers, instead of your whole second grade class. In the early 19th century, paper valentines became so popular in England that they started mass producing them in factories. Fancy Valentine’s Day cards were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century, thus starting the “Hallmark” feel to this holiday.

Chocolate has been referred to as the food of the gods for centuries and naturally became the sweet treat to give a friend or loved one on this holiday. Now you know the meaning behind the silly little things we do for each other on Valentine’s Day.