Valentine's Day

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? In the UK it's the most romantic day of the year!

                   February 14th is traditionally a celebration of love, so how do people in the UK mark the occasion?

Cards

Sending a Valentine's card to a loved one is a custom that started more than a century ago. Couples give cards to each other, but it is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you secretly love. This practice is particularly common in schools and can be a source of great amusement and embarrassment as everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a secret admirer! Valentine's Day symbols on cards include hearts designs, doves, and the figure of the winged angel, Cupid.

Poems

The card might also feature a poem. Probably the most famous lines from a Valentine’s Day poem are:

       Roses are red, violets are blue,

       Honey is sweet, and so are you.

There are some ironic variations on this poem such as:

       Roses are red, violets are blue,

       You look like a monkey and smell like one too!

Mobile love

Millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, or printable greeting cards. Texting your Valentine message is an easy (although maybe not very romantic!) option. Valentine's Day text messages include:

       WUBMV - will you be my Valentine

       xoxoxoxoxo - hugs and kisses

       LUWAM<3 - love you with all my heart

       ImRdy4Luv - I'm ready for love

       :'-) - I'm so happy, I'm crying

       ILUVU - I love you

Flowers and chocolates

As well as cards, February 14th is also a day for giving gifts. Traditionally, men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends. There are lots of websites offering advice on which Valentine’s present to buy. Popular choices last year included: an mp3 player, red roses, a box of chocolates, a CD of romantic songs, a phone, jewellery, a photo frame or perfume.

Unusual gifts

Some people think that flowers and chocolates seem a little ordinary and so they look for a more unusual gift. For romantic people with plenty of cash these gifts could include: a helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to testdrive a Ferrari, an all-day session at a health club. Others, however, complain that Valentine's Day is yet another opportunity for ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics the gift of love is enough. Valentine's Day is a popular day to either propose or get married - you'd never forget your wedding anniversary!

Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?

We asked a few Brits about their views on Valentine’s Day and here’s what they said. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day all the comments below are anonymous.

Love it! I always send cards to my mates - and my boyfriend or course.

I would prefer to go without it. I don't want gifts or money or anything like that. Knowing that I'm appreciated and that I can make others happy is good enough for me.

I got a card last year – but I still don’t know who sent it. I haven’t got a girlfriend.

My mum sends me a card every year. It’s sort of sweet but I think I’m getting a bit old for that now.

It’s just really humiliating. I’ve never received a Valentine’s card in my life. A day to switch off my phone because I know I’m not going to get any messages.

My boyfriend sent me a text message last year on Valentine’s Day. I suppose that’s kind of romantic but I’d rather have a present or even a real card.

I sent an anonymous Valentine’s card to a boy in my class when I was younger. Then my brother told him it was from me. I was so embarrassed!

I’m single so it’s definitely irritating. It’s too commercial anyway.

If a girl likes me I don’t need to waste money sending her a card just because it’s a tradition.

Chocolates, roses, cards, presents. Bring it on! I love Valentine’s Day!

Read the text about Valentine's Day then do these exercises to check your understanding.

1. Check your understanding: true or false

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Valentine’s Day is on February the 14th. True False
2. It’s traditional to send cards secretly on Valentine’s Day. True False
3. WUBMV means ‘will you buy me a Valentine’s card’. True False
4. Chocolates and flowers are popular presents on February the 14th. True False
5. It’s unlucky to get married on Valentine’s Day. True False
6. Most British men think that Valentine’s Day is too commercial. True False

2. Check your understanding: gap fill

Complete the gaps with a word from the box.

secret                    tradition                    Traditionally                    anonymous               romance               anonymously               secretly               romantics

1. Everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a ______________ admirer.
2. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day all the comments below are ______________.
3. For true ______________ the gift of love is enough.
4. I sent a Valentine’s card ______________ to a boy in my class when I was younger.
5. If a girl likes me I don’t need to waste money sending her a card just because it’s a ____________.
6. It is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you ______________ love.
7. ______________ men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends.
8. Who says ______________ is dead?

3. Check your understanding: multiple choice

Circle the best answer for these sentences.

1. Is it ______________ to give presents on February 14th in your country. traditional     traditionally     tradition
2. We have a similar ______________ but it’s in April. traditional     traditionally     tradition
3. I think I’ve got a ______________ admirer! secret     secretly     secretive
4. If someone ______________ loves you maybe you’ll receive a card on Valentine’s Day. secret     secretly     secretive
5. Sending a card ______________ is a crazy idea! anonymously     anonymous     
6. Don’t write your name on the card if you want to be ______________. anonymously     anonymous
7. Do you think the British are a ______________ nation? romance     romantic     romantically
8. He gave me a CD called ‘Music for love and ______________’. Do you think he likes me? romance     romantic     romantically

• Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? If not, is there a similar day in your country?
• What gifts do people usually give in your country?
• Do men and women buy each other gifts?
• Is it popular with young people, older people or everybody?