At the Bingo Day office, we’re getting very excited for Valentine’s Day, but how much do you know about the holiday we LOVE to celebrate? We’re found some of the more bizarre facts that you may not know about the day!1) While 73% of men buy flowers on Valentine’s Day, 15% of women also send themselves flowers on this day!
2) 3% of pet owners buy their pets a present for Valentine’s Day.
3) In the Middle Ages, young men & women would draw names from a bowl to discover who their Valentine would be. They’d then wear the person’s name on their sleeve for a week, so that everyone could see how they were feeling. This is where the saying “Wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from!
4) The Italian city of Verona is famous for being the setting for Shakespeare’s star-crossed lover Romeo and Juliet. It s also the city that receives around 1,000 Valentine’s Day cards every year addressed to Juliet!
5) On Valentine’s Day it is said that teachers receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives and then sweethearts. Children aged 6-10 will exchange more than 650 million Valentine’s cards this year with their teachers and family members.
6) The term “Love Birds” comes from the belief that birds choose their mate on the 14th February. Many people also believe that this is one of the true origins of the Valentine’s Day holiday.
7) The first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates sold was introduced by Richard Cadbury, back in 1868.
8) Valentine’s Day was first declared as an official holiday by King Henry VIII in 1537(I wonder if this had anything to do with his many wives!)
9) Many people believe that the X symbol that is defined as a kiss originated in medieval times. People could write their name and so they would sign an X in front of a witness. This X represented their sincerity and over time has developed to represent love.
10) Doctors in the 1800’s would advise their patients to eat chocolate to calm a pining for a lost love.
We think that Valentine’s Day is a good a reason as any to give chocolates to your loved one. You can also check out our Well Being "Recipe of Love" to really fill your Valentine’s Day with chocolate!