Bored with the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts of flowers and chocolates, we decided to search for ways to spice up this slightly outdated holiday. We looked into forgotten rituals and unusual love celebrations from around the world and compiled the strangest and most exciting ones here. Read on and discover how you can change the routine by bringing in new elements, or moving your celebration to a different day entirely.
Japan
We all think that Valentine’s Day is a bit too commercial, but no one could beat Japanese chocolate makers’ business skills. These savvy confectioners brought the holiday to Japan in the 1930s and first targeted foreigners in the country before moving on to locals. Valentine’s Day became synonymous with women giving chocolates to men, whether loved ones or work colleagues. Delighted with this first success, the chocolate makers followed up with another great idea: White Day. Exactly one month after Valentine’s Day, men should give women triple the amount of what they were given in white chocolate. Acceptable gifts from lovers also include jewelry, clothing, and other objects, as long as they remain white.
USA
In the USA, everybody gets a little bit of love on Valentine’s Day. Children make cards at school for their parents, teachers and classmates. Friends and relatives send each other letters and cards. You’re guaranteed to at least get an email and avoid the Valentine’s blues. We can’t promise that you can escape that call from your mother about starting a family, though.
France
France is often pictured as the country of love and even though modern Valentine’s Day traditions are similar to those practiced throughout the rest of Europe, France does distinguish itself with what is believed to be the first Valentine card ever written. Taken prisoner by the British in 1415 at the Battle of Agincourt, Charles, Duke of Orleans was imprisoned in the Tower of London. There he wrote a love poem for his wife back in France, addressed to his “beloved Valentine”. Throughout the 25 years of his imprisonment he produced an impressive body of work and remains, to this day, one of the greatest French medieval poets and writers. His wife unfortunately died before the first poem could reach her. Since then, France and many other countries have embraced Valentines.
South Africa
This is not exactly a Valentine’s Day tradition, but we thought it was too interesting to ignore. Traditionally, the Xhosa women of South Africa created beautiful beaded ornamental jewelry for their beloved. Featuring natural patterns such as rivers, trees or stars, each piece was color-coded: white symbolized purity, yellow stood for fertility, green represented new life and red meant loyalty. As well as a gesture of love, beadwork also found its purpose as a form of dowry payment for women. This unique craft is rarely practiced these days, but it still holds strong meaning.
Israel
In Israel, Tu B’Av is an equivalent of Valentine’s Day, and will be celebrated on the night of the 30th of July this year. Traditionally, it would mark the beginning of the grape harvest season and to celebrate, unmarried girls would dress in white and dance in the vineyards. Nowadays Tu B’Av is a more casual holiday, and much like Valentine’s Day, it is the perfect occasion to propose or get married.
Russia
While Valentine’s Day is not unheard of in Russia, International Women’s Day on March 8th is similar and more popular. Celebrating women exclusively, the holiday is an occasion for men to show all women in their lives their love. Men commonly give flowers, cards, and other presents to their mothers, daughters, and girlfriends. Women also like to exchange cards or small gifts with their female friends and relatives, ideally while their husbands cook dinner.
Estonia
On the 14th of February, Estonians celebrate Sõbrapäev. Also called Friends Day, this holiday celebrates something more important than fleeting love: life-long friendships. Young people in particular gather for dinners and house parties and exchange small gifts and cards. Who’s missing the single life now?
Written for Boticca.
Illustrations by Florence W.
Kamila Beyssembaeva 