Valentine's Day in the United States How USA celebrates Valentine's Day
Today it’s February 14th, and that’s Valentine’s Day in the USA (and in many other countries too). In many places, Valentine’s Day is for couples, for romantic love only.
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine's Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.
Is Valentine's Day a Public Holiday?
Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, 14 February 2021 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in the United States.
Valentine's Day: one of the most romantic days of the year.
©iStockphoto.com/Kais Tolmats
What Do People Do?
Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine's cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine's Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.
Public Life
Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine's Day is also a very popular date for weddings.
Background
There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century.
Symbols
The most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be 'struck by Cupid's arrow. Other symbols of Valentine's Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.
About Valentine's Day in Other Countries
Read more about Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sun | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2017 | Tue | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2018 | Wed | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2019 | Thu | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2020 | Fri | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2021 | Sun | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2022 | Mon | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2023 | Tue | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2024 | Wed | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2025 | Fri | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2026 | Sat | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
What’s different about Valentine’s Day in the USA? I’ll show you, so you don’t make any social mistakes today!
Valentine’s Day in the USA: At school
Americans have celebrated Valentine’s Day since the 19th century. But the holiday became really popular in the 20th century, especially in schools.
In the USA, Valentine’s Day is a big event at schools. In elementary school, kids exchange Valentine’s cards. Each kid will make a special box, and every student in the class will put a small Valentine’s card in the box of every other kid in the class. So if you live in the USA, and you have a child in elementary school, be sure your kid has enough cards for the whole class!
Don’t worry, you can buy special class sets of Valentine’s cards just for the occasion!
Students also offer a Valentine’s Day present to their teacher. Chocolate, maybe flowers, or a small gift. There will probably be a Valentine’s Day Party, with heart-shaped cookies, red velvet cupcakes, and Conversation Hearts.
Conversation Hearts are the classic Valentine’s Day candy in the US. Every American knows this candy. These little hearts have cute messages like “Kiss me”, “Be Kind”, “My baby”, or more modern messages like “Tweet me” and “Girl Power”!
Valentine’s Day in the USA: Family & Friends
Adults also exchange Valentine’s Day gifts and cards with family and friends. I always gave a Valentine’s Day Card to my parents. And today, we send each other e-cards for Valentine’s Day!
The cards might have short, sweet messages like “You’re the best mom ever! Happy Valentine’s Day” or “You’re such a sweet daughter”, or things like that. They can be funny or serious.
Chocolates are popular gifts for friends and family too. Especially a heart-shaped box of chocolates a heart-shaped box of chocolates.
The classic ones are the Whitman’s Sampler and anything by the brand Russel Stover. But if you’re in the US, you’ll have more than enough choice, I’m sure.
Valentine’s Day in the USA: With your love
Of course, in the US, you also celebrate with your significant other. This just means your boyfriend or girlfriend, or your fiancé, if you’re engaged, or your husband or wife.
For couples, it’s pretty traditional. You might offer flowers, like a dozen red roses a dozen red roses. Or maybe jewelry. Jewelry could be earrings. Or a necklace. Or maybe even a ring, if the relationship is serious.
It’s popular to go out to eat at a nice restaurant. Or you might say “I’m taking my boyfriend out to eat.”
Or you can do like Barack and Michelle Obama, and write funny love poems. You have to watch this video of them and their Valentine’s Day poems
Most importantly, have fun
What’s most important on Valentine’s Day is not what you do, or how much money you spend, it’s to show that you care for others. Friends, classmates, colleagues, significant other.
Even your pet, like your cat or dog. 21% of Americans give a Valentine’s Day to their pet…
You don’t have to do the classic Valentine’s Day things. Romain and me usually just go out for pizza on Valentine’s Day. Because that’s what we like to do.
In the USA, any occasion is a good opportunity to celebrate something, and today we celebrate our appreciation for others.
Be sure to watch the very end of today’s lovely lesson, because I have a special Valentine’s surprise for you!
Now what about you?
Did you know about these Valentine’s Day traditions before you watched this video? What do you do for Valentine’s Day? Do you celebrate it?
Share this video with a friend you appreciate, spread the love!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Thanks to Christina
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