Drawing Lots - Roman youths drew the names of girls who would
be their partners during Lupercalia. This custom was Christianized and spread to Europe. England and Germany: Name drawn known as valentine or sweetheart. Later, names of saints were drawn instead of girls and girls were supposed to model the saint's behavior for the year. This change was not popular. France: The first young man seen by a girl on the morning of Valentine's day became her boy friend, called a cavalier or valentin for the year. At the end of the year engagement usually followed.
Valentine's Parties: Thrown by wealthy people in 17th-18th centuries. In Victorian times children threw parties. They played
games, ate heart-shaped sweets, and gave each other valentines. This continues today.
Valentine's Carols: Children get candy or money for singing songs on Valentine's Day. Custom started in 17th century.
Valentine's Buns: Special valentine buns are baked with raisins, caraway seeds, and plum filling.
Valentine's Gifts: Common gifts are jewels, gloves, silk stockings,
flowers, garters, hankerchiefs, and paperweights. In 1767 it became the custom to leave a valentine love letter at the door. Little books called Valentine's writers helped men to write poetry and sentimental verses. In Wales spoons are given to women as engagement gifts.
Fortune Telling: Women eat hardboiled eggs with salt and put
green leaves under the pillow to dream of their intended husband. In Germany women plant onions in pots on Saint Valentine's Day. Each onion is given a man's name and put near the fireplace. The first onion to sprout will be the intended. A young girl was supposed to marry, eventually, the first eligible male she met on this day. If a girl was curious and brave enough she could conjure up the appearance of her future spouse by going to the graveyard on St. Valentine's Eve at midnight. She would then sing a prescribed chant , and run around the church twelve times. ,
Valentine Customs
Drawing Lots - Roman youths drew the names of girls who would
be their partners during Lupercalia. This custom was Christianized and spread to Europe. England and Germany: Name drawn known as valentine or sweetheart. Later, names of saints were drawn instead of girls and girls were supposed to model the saint's behavior for the year. This change was not popular. France: The first young man seen by a girl on the morning of Valentine's day became her boy friend, called a cavalier or valentin for the year. At the end of the year engagement usually followed.
Valentine's Parties: Thrown by wealthy people in 17th-18th centuries. In Victorian times children threw parties. They played
games, ate heart-shaped sweets, and gave each other valentines. This continues today.
Valentine's Carols: Children get candy or money for singing songs on Valentine's Day. Custom started in 17th century.
Valentine's Buns: Special valentine buns are baked with raisins, caraway seeds, and plum filling.
Valentine's Gifts: Common gifts are jewels, gloves, silk stockings,
flowers, garters, hankerchiefs, and paperweights. In 1767 it became the custom to leave a valentine love letter at the door. Little books called Valentine's writers helped men to write poetry and sentimental verses. In Wales spoons are given to women as engagement gifts.
Fortune Telling: Women eat hardboiled eggs with salt and put
green leaves under the pillow to dream of their intended husband. In Germany women plant onions in pots on Saint Valentine's Day. Each onion is given a man's name and put near the fireplace. The first onion to sprout will be the intended. A young girl was supposed to marry, eventually, the first eligible male she met on this day. If a girl was curious and brave enough she could conjure up the appearance of her future spouse by going to the graveyard on St. Valentine's Eve at midnight. She would then sing a prescribed chant , and run around the church twelve times.