Many of the traditions of Valentine's Day come from the story of the priest called St. Valentine. St. Valentine was sentenced to prison where he became friends with the jailer's daughter. When it was his time to die, he left her a card which he signed 'Your Valentine'. This is why the idea of a card for the one you care about is such a tradition in our world today. Though this happened in 296 A.D., the tradition is still continuing to grow all over the world.

Cards are not the only tradition on Valentine's Day. Flowers are a very popular gift to give and receive on this special day made in honor of St. Valentine. The flowers are thought to have originated from St Valentine as well. While he was in prison supporters threw flowers into his prison cell through the windows to show him their love and support. It is the symbolic gesture of the flower throwing that has led to people now sending flowers with their Valentines cards to the ones that they love as a gift of appreciation. Sadly the vast majority of people sending the flowers do not understand that St Valentine paid with his life.

Valentine's Day cards are now the most common gifts that loved ones give to each other on Valentines Day. Today's Valentine cards are mass produced all over the world with China now becoming the leading manufacturer of them. Although many different styles are available ranging from rude, crude, funny, sad and romantic the one thing that they all share in common is the ability to convey the message of love.

Flowers that are sent out today are not like the flowers from long ago. Today flowers can be sent out as arrangements where many different kinds of flowers are mixed together as one gift. Modern day trends have moved away from large arrangements to sending roses. The sending of a single red rose symbolizes love and today is the most traditional of all the flowers sent on Valentine's Day.

The tradition of giving a gift to the one you care for has existed for quite some time now. The occasion is now however more commercialized and many people now send out other gifts as well as flowers. Chocolates and jewellery are two popular gifts and if the girl is extremely lucky she may receive expensive diamonds. Many couples celebrate Valentine's Day by going on a date which began as a tradition in England where it was said that birds chose their partners on Feb 14. Celebrating Valentine's Day by having a candlelight dinner is very common along with many people proposing to their true love on this day.

Valentine's Day used to be reserved for only lovers. It is now considered to be a holiday to celebrate the love for the people in your life. Many people now send cards and gifts not only to their lover but also close family members. There are many different traditions out there to choose from this Valentine's Day. Remember that many of these traditions came from the story of the man named St. Valentine and the day is a day to think about his memory and to honor him.