The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to Roman times and it remains one of the most popular holidays in the UK today, with happy couples everywhere using this special day to celebrate their relationship, declare their love for one another and pamper each other with romantic gestures, gifts and dinners out. It also is the perfect opportunity for secret admirers to make themselves known or to ask someone they like on a date by sending them a Valentine’s Day card, though many people who are too shy to do so choose to remain anonymous in their cards, adding an air of mystery and intrigue for the recipient.
Popular Gifts for Valentine’s Day in the UK
Popular gifts include a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and other sweet confectionery, all of which are usually themed around love and come in all kinds of heart shapes to mark the occasion. Red roses are the most commonly sent Valentine’s flower. Jewellery, sentimental framed photos and mix tapes containing meaningful and romantic songs are also traditionally popular gifts along with teddy bears and similar cuddly toys. Some like to really splash out with extravagant gifts and go that extra mile when treating their partners, and it is not unusual for surprise weekend city breaks to romantic European capitals like Paris, Venice and Rome to be booked en mass around Valentine’s Day. A candle lit meal at a fancy restaurant or in the comfort of your own home is the archetypal Valentine’s date, and eateries everywhere tend to create unique menus especially for the day.
Poems for Valentine’s Day
One creative and common way to express your love or tell someone your feelings is through the medium of a poem, and there are hundreds and hundreds of famous Valentine’s poems which are used every year.
If the sun refused to shine
If romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Till the end of time
With your love close to my heart…
I can ask for nothing more…
Near or far,
Wherever I go…
You will be my companion forever!
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? If so, how do you celebrate? Let us know in the comments below.
Learn English Vocabulary Words for Valentine’s Day
relationship – the way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected
date – a social or romantic appointment or engagement
bouquet – an attractively arranged bunch of flowers, especially one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony
Valentine – a person you are attracted to and send a card saying so to on 14 February, formally known as St Valentine’s Day
to trace back – to go back
to splash out on smth (slang) – to spend a lot of money on smth
to pamper – to spoil someone special to you or even yourself
cuddly toy – usually a Teddy bear or similar animal-like toy made of fur
candlelit – where candles are used instead of the more usual lighting
confectionery – sweets, cakes and other sweet-tasting treats
fancy restaurant – it is expensive and probably well decorated and will require you to be well dressed and necessary to have a reservation
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Don’t stop! Continue learning English idiomatic expressions and read my other posts: