Valentine's Day: A murky past with both Christian and pagan histories

History

Valetine's Day is almost here. Some of us enjoy it and some of us don't. Some see it as nothing more than the businesses trying to get people to spend more money, while others see it as a day to show the one they love how much they love them. But Valentine's Day was not always about the business.

This special day contains both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. There are at least three different saints named Valentine or in the Latin Valentinus.

One legend of Valetine says that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, Valentine continued to marry young couples despite Claudius outlawing narriages for young men. When Valentine was caught, he was put to death.

Another legend says that he sent the first "valentine" to a girl he had fallen in love with while in jail. Before he died, it is supposed that in the letter he wrote to her he signed it, 'From your Valentine.'

For most the part, it is believed that Feb. 14 is celebrated as the anniversary for the saint, although others say that this is not true.

Some believe it was the Catholic Church's attempt to christianize the Lupercalia festival. For the romans, February was the beginning of spring and a cleansing period. Lupercalia was the fertility festival in honor of Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.

At the ceremony, a 'lottery' was performed by the young women putting their names in an urn and the men choosing the names from the urn. The church deemed this unchristian and outlawed it.

In England and France, birds' mating season begins on Feb. 14, re-emphasizing that idea that the middle for February should be a day of romance. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem written by Charles the duke of Orleans to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London.

Valentine's greetings or cards go back as far as the Middle Ages. The oldest card can be found on display in the British Museum.

The first Valentine cards in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentines get sent out every year.

Inexpensive Valentines

For many of us, finding that perfect Valentine's Day gift can be hard. Especially if you are broke. Here are some inexpensive ways to make that perfect gift without going broke.

Couples

Make a CD: Put songs on it that you know they enjoy or that simply remind you of them.

Coupon books: Fill it with little things you can do for that one you love: free back massage, free car wash, or a dinner of their choice.

Dedicate a facebook flyer: If you know the one you love is obesssed with facebook as most of us are, send them a Valentine facebook flyer.

Singles

Rent Movies: Just because you don't have someone to enjoy Valentine's Day with doesn't me you can't. Go get that love movie you wanted to see and enjoy.

Girls/Guys Night: Get your single friends together, make dinner, pop popcorn, put in a good movie, and enjoy being single together.

Spa: Pamper yourself with a spa treatment. You'll enjoy the holiday all that much better.