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Many believe that Valentine’s Day was invented by sellers of postcards and soft toys so that lovers would buy goods from them. Not at all! This holiday has its own history and traditions. Now we will tell everything.
history of the holiday
History originated in ancient Rome. Emperor Claudius II forbade young men of his state to marry so that women would not interfere with taking them into the army. The ruler believed that it was the ladies who did not let their spouses go to war. And they allegedly deliberately prevent the stronger sex from defending their homeland.
But love, as we know, cannot be conquered. And people got married in secret. And the local healer and preacher of Christianity, St. Valentine, helped them in this matter. But the happiness of the young did not last long. Unfortunately, rumors of secret weddings reached the emperors, and the violator of the law, Valentine, was thrown into prison. The preacher was told that he would be executed the very next day. Without wasting a minute, he wrote a love letter to his beloved girlfriend and asked him to pass it on. Which was the last wish of the martyr.
Two hundred years later, the Catholic Church canonized Valentine. And in 496, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 to be Saint Valentine’s Day.
Holiday traditions around the world
Actively celebrating Valentine’s Day in different countries of the world began only in the 14th century. And to this day, every year, on February XNUMX, lovers give each other heart-shaped cards, arrange romantic dates, make proposals, get married.
В JapanFor example, girls are given chocolate. The fact is that men of the land of the rising sun, as a rule, do not like sweets. And this delicacy is considered a purely feminine addiction.
В АEnglish taken to guess. On the morning of February 14, unmarried girls go outside and look for birds. If on the way they meet a robin, it means that the future husband will be a sailor. The sparrow symbolizes the poor, and the goldfinch, on the contrary, portends the rich man’s wife.
В United States of America lovers are given marzipans, as well as red and white candies. In the States, they are sure that flowers and sweets are symbols of love and purity.
Men French people not original. For every Valentine’s Day, they present their loved ones with jewelry. They do not accept other gifts.
В Denmark and do send each other dried white flowers.
And in Spain send love messages to each other with a carrier pigeon.
В Iceland On February 14, bonfires are kindled in the name of the son of the god Odin. In this country, the flame symbolizes passion.
But there is a tradition that is revered immediately in all countries: if you make an offer on February 14 or get married on that day, the marriage will be happy and strong.
Original gifts
FOR HIM
Send your loved one on an exciting journey. Let it be an invitation card to a fencing lesson, a wind tunnel or paragliding flight, or a master class in tasting alcoholic beverages.
Or, conversely, relax your soulmate. Go with him to the SPA-salon, where relaxing procedures are waiting for you: hammam, massage, body wraps, swimming pool.
Ticket for football, hockey, boxing, basketball. It all depends on the sports preferences of your loved one.
And, of course, a gift made with your own hands will become expensive. For example, a bright collage of joint photos with memorable moments. Or bake a heart-shaped cake.
FOR HER
The desired gifts for women are flowers, perfumes and jewelry. If you are afraid that you will not please your soul mate, purchase a gift card in the store. Let her choose what she really needs.
A romantic candlelit dinner prepared by the hands of a man. Do not forget about table setting, candles and musical accompaniment.
Joint photo session. Do not spare money for a stylist – let him create new interesting images for you: heroes of your favorite films or books.
Go to the theater for a romantic comedy. Cheer up each other.
Romantic dinner in “five minutes” – the best recipes
If you still decide on a delicious dinner – here are some interesting ideas for you.
Avocado Salad with Egg
| Avocado | 1 piece. |
| A tomato | 1 piece. |
| Egg | 1 piece. |
| Lemon juice | 1 century. l. |
| Mayonnaise | to taste |
Cut the avocado into two halves, remove the pulp from it and mash it into a puree. Dice the hard-boiled egg and tomato. Mix all the ingredients, season with lemon juice and mayonnaise. Serve salad wrapped in avocado.
Submit your signature dish recipe by email. [email protected]. Healthy Food Near Me will publish the most interesting and unusual ideas
Main course – trout with pine nuts
| Trout (steak) | 2 piece. |
| Butter | 1 century. l. |
| Lemon juice | 2 century. l. |
| Lemon Zest | to taste |
| Pine nuts | 25 g |
| Parsley | 1 beam |
| Olive oil | 2 century. l. |
| Salt and white ground pepper | to taste |
Wash the fish, season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix together lemon juice, most of the finely chopped greens, zest and half of the crushed nuts. Pour the fish with the resulting sauce and put in the oven for one hour at a temperature of 180 degrees. Put the finished fish on plates, sprinkle with the remaining whole nuts.
Dessert – caramel pear
| Pear | 2 piece. |
| Sugar | 1 Art. |
| Butter | 100 g |
| Vanilla (liquid) | 1 drop |
Cut the pears into quarters and remove the pits. Put on a dish to be served. Melt butter and sugar in a pan, add vanilla. Fry until the sugar has a light caramel color. Pour the caramel over the pear.
Bon appetit!