Sweet Valentine's Day Trivia
Valentine's Day as we celebrate it, in real life and in books, has an interesting history. Here are some facts about this special day when we celebrate love.
We can thank a pharmacist from the 1800s for candy conversation hearts. He simplified the process for making lozenges but quickly shifted his focus to candy, specifically Necco wafers. By the early 1900s, the heart shaped wafers took form with sweet words pressed into them. Today, more than 8 billion conversation hearts are produced every year.
The very first box of Valentine's Day chocolates was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868, according to history.com. This traditional gift can be shared with just about anybody you love. The heart-shaped box is filled with a variety of chocolates that will satisfy every sweet tooth. Surveys indicate that caramels are the favorite, followed by chocolate-covered nuts, chocolate-filled, cream-filled, and coconut.
The association of Valentine's Day with love and romance began in the Middle Ages. It developed from a belief in England and France that birds begin their mating season on February 14th. In other words, lovebirds are actually birds!
A Crafty Lady Turned Cards into a Business
A woman named Esther A. Howland is credited with the first mass-produced Valentine's Day cards in the US. In the 1840s, she became known as the "Mother of the American Valentine" when she created elaborate cards with lace and ribbon. This business model blossomed into an enormous industry that produces 145 million cards each year.
A Booming Month of Proposals
It should come as no surprise that Valentine's Day is a popular choice for marriage proposals. Some surveys estimate as many as 6 million people get engaged on this day for lovers! Jewelers around the world enjoy a lucrative month in February.
Romantic Dinners Out
Restaurant owners benefit from the second busiest day of the year, second only to Mother's Day. Going out for a romantic dinner is a tradition shared by millions of couples. So you better make your reservation early if you want to celebrate this romantic holiday at your favorite eatery.
Americans Open Their Wallets
According to the National Retail Federation, love is expensive! American spend in excess of $20 billion (with a B) every single year for Valentine's Day. That's a lot of chocolate!
Valentine's Day Roses Travel Far
Those beautiful bouquets of roses have journeyed from afar, despite their fresh, vibrant appearance. About 60% of roses are produced in California, but the rest come from South America.
Book Lists for Kids on this Romantic Holiday
Valentine's Day Books for Toddlers