There are many different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In Austria, it is customary for men to present their loved ones with a bunch of flowers; however, men in Australia put more money into Valentine’s Day. Australians make extravagant valentines out of a satin cushion, perfumed, ornately designed with flowers, shells, and have either a taxidermied humming bird or bird of paradise adorning it. All of this is contained in a neatly decorated box.
British males are a little bit more romantic and write poems and sonnets for their significant others and the Danish give cards that when put to light, show a picture of a lover handing his loved one a gift. They also swap poems and candy snowdrops.
In France, unmarried people used to go into their houses facing each other and start calling our across from one window to the other, pairing with the one person that they have chosen. If the man did not like the female, he would leave and afterwards, the scorned woman would burn images of the young gentleman and yell out abusive commentaries. However, this led to a lot of anger and so the government forbid the pairing pattern on Valentines.
German and Spanish males usually give loved ones a bunch of flowers, while the Italians celebrate Valentines as a Spring festival and listen to music and poetry. Romans call Valentine’s Day, “Lupercalia”, a day that is totally romantic and is a pleasure-loving occasion.
In Scotland, the people hold a festival in which all the single people put their names in a hat and the men draw a piece of paper out and must stay with that female if she has also chosen him. Afterwards, there is a dance and many recently paired up couples actually get married the same night. Another belief that the Scottish have is that the first man or woman to walk by you on the street will be your valentine.
As we all know Americans generally express their feelings for another by giving Valentine’s cards. Sometimes when the male is not being cheap, the women may receive flowers and chocolates as well. However, for some women that is all they receive, and it gets a little repetitious after awhile, so men need to start doing something new!
Here are some tips to be a little more romantic:
1. Take your loved one out to an out of town dinner and then for a stroll.
2. If she isn’t expecting anything other than flowers (and you are in a long-term relationship) try getting her the traditional roses, but add a necklace or bracelet to the gift package.
3. Show up about an hour before she gets home and try to cook her dinner. It could even be spaghetti or macaroni and cheese!
4. Show up unannounced, “kidnap” her and take her to where you first met for a daytime picnic.
5. If you are in a really serious relationship, PROPOSE!
Although it may be too late to use these tips this year, keep these in mind for future romantic outings or next Valentine’s Day.
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