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Valentine’s Day [Feast of Saint Valentine] was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 to honor one or two Christian martyrs and is celebrated annually on February 14th. It is not a public holiday in any country, but is celebrated by many around the world.
Valentine’s Day began to be associated with romantic love on the 14th and 15th century. Around 1800, in the United Kingdom printers made cards with drawings and romantic verses. In 1861, Richard Cadbury, whose father founded Cadbury Chocolate, began to package chocolates in heart-shaped boxes to increase sales. He also decorated the boxes and sales did increase.
Around the world, billions of dollars are spent each year on Valentine’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation [NRF], sales in the United States were $21.8 billion in 2021, the second-highest year on record. Sales are expected to be $23.9 billion this year. Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $175.41 per person on Valentine’s Day gifts.
Some additional facts. In 2019, Americans will spend $5 billion on jewelry, $1.8 billion on candy and $886 on gifts for their pets.
Red roses account for approximately 70% of all flowers purchased on Valentine’s Day, 85% of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by women and men spend up to five times more than women on gifts for Valentine’s Day.
