Valentine's Day in England

People with romantic feelings for a particular person may send that person cards, gifts and text messages on Valentine's Day. Popular gifts include chocolates and flowers. Many are sent anonymously in the England. In England, this wonderful day is not only celebrated by youngsters and lovers, but also by the kids. Children sing special songs and are generously rewarded for this. This is also a day to savor special Valentine buns baked with caraway seeds, plums or raisins.

What do people do?

Many people send Valentine's Day cards, gifts or text messages to their partner or somebody for whom they have romantic feelings. Cards and gifts are traditionally sent anonymously in the England, even if they are from a partner or spouse. Popular Valentine's Day gifts include:

Chocolates and other types of candy. Red roses or bunches of flowers. Champagne or other sparkling wines. Lingerie or other clothing. Electronic gadgets or accessories, including USB sticks and skins for laptops, net books and mobile phones. A surprise meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. A short break in the United Kingdom or abroad.

Although cards, flowers and chocolates make an indispensable part of Valentine's Day celebrations, the British like to celebrate this day in their own unique way. It's a Valentine's Day tradition in Britain to pen quixotic verses, lyrics and sonnets as a tribute to the icon of love, Saint Valentine. On this day, all the wild-eyed lovers come together and scribble poetic lines to commemorate the occasion.

On Valentine's Day, the young girls wake up early in the morning, stand near the window, and keep an eye on the people passing by. There is a long-existing belief in Britain that the first man a girl sees on the morning of Valentine's Day is the man meant for her.

Many couples try to eat a special meal with each other. They may do this in a restaurant, hotel room or at home. Some opt for food and drink with a romantic feel, such as oysters, chocolate fondue, strawberries and champagne. Others choose less formal, but easily prepared dishes.

The origins of Valentine's Day

Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular military campaigns. Claudius the Cruel, as he was known at the time, was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.

During this time a Christian priest named Valentine came to defend love in the empire. Valentine began to secretly marry couples despite the emperors orders. When Emperor Claudius was informed of these ceremonies, Valentine was sent to prison where he remained until his death on February 14 in the year 270. It is also linked to the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15 by young Romans centuries before Christ. The celebration was held in honour of the goddess Februata Juno, and concerned all young people of marriageable age. The names or tokens representing all the young girls in the district were placed in a love urn and the young lads each drew a token and the couples paired off. This was a kind of mating lottery game. During the Roman occupation of Britain, the idea was brought to this country and adopted by the ancient Britons .

AT PRESENT
The old pagan customs still continued and in Britain up to the beginning of the present century it was customary for local lads and lasses to draw lots for partners. In Lancashire, on St. Valentine's eve, the names of eligible young people were written on separate slips of paper and divided into two groups, male and female. The boys drew a slip from the girls' pile and vice versa. Thus each person received two sweethearts and then had to work out for themselves the most satisfactory arrangement. After the final selection had been made the boys treated their maidens to all sorts of outings and surprises including dances and gifts. Gifts have always been a traditional aspect of the lovers' holiday. As a tradition in Wales, wooden love spoons are carved and given as gifts. Hearts, keys and keyholes are favorite decorations on the spoons, meaning "You unlock my heart."

Superstitions
Other Valentine's Day superstitions revolve around predicting who you're going to marry. Some people used to believe that the first bird a single woman saw on Valentine's Day would give her an indication of the kind of man she'd marry. 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. And if she witnessed a goldfinch flying above, she would marry a millionaire.

Romantic Places For Valentines Day in England

Flowers wilt and chocolates melt. Avoid clichs this Valentines Day and treat your loved one to a memorable break in one of englands romantic cities.

The Chester Green Bough Hotel.

Have a weekend to remember in the medieval city of Chester with The Chester Green Bough Hotel. Combining stylish elegance, an intimate ambience and unparalleled service, this Victorian town house hotel is the perfect base for a romantic city break.

Oxford Castle

Find love with your loved one this Valentines Day as Oxford Castles biggest attraction to provide a captivating evening to remember.

Stratford-upon-avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a picture-perfect backdrop to a romantic break. The towns Macdonald Alveston Manor, just five minutes walk from the town centre and famous Royal Shakespeare