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Archived article - no longer updated
VALENTINES DAY 2001
Valentine Traditions
Some people used to believe that if
a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry
a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If
she saw a goldfinch, she
would marry a millionaire.
Think of five or six names of boys
or girls you might marry, as you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names
until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying
when the stem fell off.
Pick a dandelion that has gone to
seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that
remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have. If you cut an
apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many
children you will have.
History of Valentines Day
St. Valentine's Day, as we know it
today, contains vestiges
of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
According to one legend, Valentine
actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is
believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his
jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death,
it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,'
an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the
Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a
sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served
during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with
wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men -- his crop of
potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied
Claudius and continued to perform marriages for
young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius
ordered that he be put to death.
Valentines Gifts
Traditional:
- Romantic trip away to Paris
- Chocolates
- Jewellery
- Flowers
- Perfume / Aftershave
- Underwear
- Meal for two
Non - traditional :
- Adventure day packages - WHSmiths
- Concert Tickets
Romantic Dining Guide
The best places to go this Valentines...
Café Uno Ecclesall Rd,
S11
Ask Restaurant
Cambridge St. S1
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