10 unusual facts about Valentine’s Day

If you’ve got Valentine’s Day on the brain, you might be wondering where it all started. Have a read of our favourite facts while pondering what to get for your loved one!

1. In Victorian times, signing a Valentine’s Day card was considered bad luck.
2. In the 1800s, physicians would advise their patients to eat chocolate to help their grief after losing a loved one.
3. The red rose is thought to be the favourite flower of Venue, the Roman goddess of love. 
4. On average, 220,000 wedding proposals take place every year on Valentine’s Day. 
5. In the middle ages, men and women would draw a name from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They’d wear the name on their sleeve for a week, which is where the expression ‘to wear your heart on your sleeve’ comes from. 
6. Lace is commonly used on Valentine ’s Day decorations. The word ‘lace’ derives from Latin, meaning ‘to snare or net’, referring to catching feelings for someone. 
7. Every year on Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona (home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) receives around 1,000 letters to Juliet. 
8. In Medieval times, girls believed eating bizarre foods would help them dream of their future spouse.
9. The earliest known Valentine’s Day letter dates back to the 15^th century. It was sent by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London.
10. In 2002, Thailand issued the world’s first ever rose-scented stamps for Valentine’s Day. 

If you’re still looking for inspiration for a Valentine’s Day gift, take a look at our dedicated rage. Whether your sweetheart has a sweet tooth or prefers savoury goodies, we have the perfect hamper to suit!