Celebrating Love Around The World
by Sharon Bryant
It's almost Valentine's Day. Have you planned to do something special? There are so many ways to celebrate. You might be celebrating the love you and your partner share, or the love you feel for someone you care about.
Love Around The World
Love is celebrated in different ways around the world. I thought it might be fun to explore this a little.
Japanese women traditionally give men chocolates on Valentine's Day. They used to give inexpensive chocolates, giri choco, to co-workers though this is less common these days. Honmei choco (special chocolate which is often homemade) is reserved for romantic partners. Japanese men generally don't give women Valentine's Day gifts. They reciprocate one month later on White Day by giving gifts that are two to three times the value of what they have received.
In Germany, it's traditional to give Valentines gifts of chocolates, flowers, or cartoons or keepsakes of pigs. Pigs symbolise good luck in Germany and are just as much a part of Valentine's Day as cupids in some other parts of the world.
Saint Valentine is a patron saint of spring in Slovenia. Valentine's Day is celebrated as the time when life begins to stir again. One traditional Slovenia idea is that birds "propose" on Valentine's Day. Traditionally people walk barefoot through the icy fields to see and appreciate the changes that springtime brings.
There are so many other beautiful loving traditions: Welsh love spoons, mountainous wedding ceremonies in Thailand, a four day festival in Verona with a letter writing contest to Juliet, and mass wedding ceremonies in public spaces in Manila.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy February 14 either thinking of or being with someone you love.
How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day?
I love to love spending time with my husband, family and friends.
I love to laugh with friends and family.
I love to learn more about love around the world.
Sharon, how absolutely fascinating! All those different customs. Although I'm not so sure I want to go barefoot in Slovenia, sounds a bit cold this time of year; I'm more a fan of the chocolates in Japan! I love watching all the romance blossom around me on Valentine's Day, so I've just read two quick Valentine's Day romances to celebrate - and they are more novellas than longer novels: 'The Exception to the Rule' by Christina Lauren, and 'Rosie and the Dreamboat' by Sally Thorne. Both delightful and able to be appreciated with a glass of something cold and bubbly, and maybe a chocolate or two...
ReplyDeleteThanks Miranda. Most recently I’ve been reading Book Lovers and Beach Road by Emily Henry. I thoroughly enjoyed both books. Like you, I enjoy the positivity and emphasis on love that Valentines Day brings.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon. A fascinating read about Valentine's Day traditions differing everywhere. I love idea that birds propose on Valentine's Day. So sweet and romantic and just right. Sadly, in most Western countries commercialism has taken over with flowers and chocolates on sale in overwhelming numbers in the shops and so overpriced. Much prefer a picnic in the park or on the beach and then the guy proposes as rosy hues chase away the sun and as night falls the girl falls into his arms and says yes! No wonder I read and write romance. 💖
ReplyDeleteHi Enisa, I think the idea of birds proposing is lovely too. I agree that the excessive commercialisation of Valentine's Day is unfortunate. I think it can still be a special time to spend with loved ones. As an avid romance reader, I can definitely relate to picnics in the park or on the beach. A beautiful setting for a marriage proposal.
DeleteInteresting post Sharon. It's surprising there are not more books set on Valentines day .
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassandra. I think Valentine's Day is a beautiful time setting for a romance novel. It provides opportunity for the author to build conflict together with a wonderfully romantic setting.
DeleteAn enjoyable read, thanks Sharon. Unfortunately, the commercialism of Valentine's Day, which sees a huge increase in the price of flowers and restaurant dinners, pretty much takes away the 'romance' of the day (IMO). Nevertheless, my lovely man and I will probably swap cards and have a nice lunch together (any excuse for leaving the house :).
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn, I agree with you about the commercialisation of the day. I think Valentine's Day dinners are such fun. My husband and I always go out to dinner a day or two before or after Valentine's Day. We avoid the crowded restaurants and focus on one another.
DeleteLovely to hear about all the different traditions. Thanks Sharon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alyssa. I too found it interesting to learn more about the ways in which love is celebrated in other countries.
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