During the holidays, many people celebrate traditions with their families, friends, or someone special. These traditions can look many different ways, whether it’s a fancy dinner or a box of chocolates. 

  First off, how did traditions for Valentine’s day originate and where did the giving of flowers and chocolates come from? Well some believe that it originated in Rome with the festival Lupercalia.

An article called Valentine’s Day said, “The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery.”

This festival was yearly, making it “the first” Valentine’s day tradition. 

The most “common” tradition would be giving flowers, chocolate, and a card to a loved one, and the reason we give flowers to a loved one is all because of the Roman Goddess; Venus.

The article, “Why do we Send Flowers and Chocolates on Valentine’s Day” said “Apparently, roses were Venus’ favorite flower, the Goddess of Love, as she believed that they stood for strong feelings. From this, people then started giving those they cared about roses, to show their love for each other.

Everyone has their own traditions, whether that be giving chocolates, or celebrating their culture. Most people have something they do yearly to celebrate the day February 14th. However, not everyone has someone to give flowers to. An anonymous source spends their time on valentines day doing something a bit different than giving out chocolates.

“When Valentine’s day comes around I never am in any sort of relationship with anyone. My tradition is to throw pebbles at couples. Just for a bit of funsies to make me happier.”

Valentine’s day traditions can look many different ways. Some may celebrate it with their mother or father, others with their special someone, and different cultures have traditions as well. Many people love Valentine’s day, but others hate it. In the end, everyone has traditions even if it’s sitting on the couch or handing out a box of chocolates shaped like a heart.