Just-A-Pause : Valentines Leap-froggin' Around

By Super

Monday, May 21, 2012, 15:06

Valentine's gifts for a woman can also include jewelry, which is being widely and aggressively advertised by the diamond industry as the gift of choice to show that your love will last forever.

In Japan and Korea, women giving men chocolate or flowers celebrate Valentine's Day. Women who work in offices will give chocolate to all of their male co-workers, as well as their male friends and boyfriend. Men are not expected to give women anything on Valentine's day, however, they will often give presents to those who gave something to them on March 14th. In Korea, the tradition continues on April 14th, when men who did not receive any gifts gather together and eat noodles in black sauce. This day is called "Black Day."

In our very own India, year after year though Valentine's Day is gaining popularity, it is still being looked at as an invasion of "westernized culture". However, it is merely a celebration of love, which is definitely catching on.

When trying to come up with Valentine's gift ideas, most people do not stop and think about where the holiday actually originated.

Most scholars agree the Valentine's Day began in ancient Rome. The most widely accepted story has to do with Saint Valentine. Valentine lived in Rome during the 3rd century. During that time, the Emperor Claudius who attempted to make a volunteer army for Rome ruled Rome. However, he was quite disappointed when the number of men who signed up was less than he expected. He believed the reason that men did not want to fight was because they did not want to leave their wives and children. In order to preserve his army, he placed a ban on marriage throughout Rome.

Valentine was a priest and he did not agree with the law, so he continued marrying couples in secret. Eventually he was caught, imprisoned and sentenced to death. He had many supporters while in prison, including the daughter of the prison guard. Legend states that on the day he died, February 14th, Valentine left a note for her thanking her for being there for him. He signed it, "Love from your Valentine." Most people do not realize that they are giving a Valentine's Day gift on the day that Valentine himself was killed!

This year, think of ways to make this day special. Valentines Day reminds us to tell our loved ones just how much we care about them.

And all you dudettes who are seriously thinking of popping the question, go right ahead and kiss the frog. Who knows? He might just turn into your Prince Charming. You lucky Leapeans!