Valentine's Day

2023 - 2 - 13

valentines day valentines day

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Did Valentine's Day Start as a Roman Party or to Celebrate an ... (The New York Times)

Regardless of its origin, it's a big deal now. An expert on the evolution of human sexuality says you have to “get out there” to make the holiday work for ...

That reflects a change in the holiday from a celebration of romantic partners to “an everybody-is-included romp” that celebrates different kinds of affection and attachment, Dr. More than half of consumers plan to celebrate and will spend an average of $192.80, the group said. Valentine before Chaucer wrote the poems “Parlement of Foules” and “The Complaint of Mars” in the late 14th century. It’s also a day to spend money. 14, took place at a time when Britons in the 14th century thought spring began, with birds starting to mate and plants beginning to bloom, Mr. He was convinced that Chaucer was the source of our modern ideas about St. Valentine was later beheaded for his religious zeal, a death that Roman men decided to celebrate by pulling the names of eligible young ladies out of an urn. “That didn’t stop it from being a day of fertility and love.” “It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it,” Mr. Oruch, an English professor at the University of Kansas who died in 2013, studied Valentine’s Day as part of his research into the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. “This custom persisted for many years and eventually found its way into Germany and England,” The Globe reported. There is little reliable information about the life of St.

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Image courtesy of "Aleteia EN"

Not a fan of Valentine's Day? Try this instead (Aleteia EN)

I like to honor the “holiday of love” by looking for a loving act of kindness I can do for someone who may not expect it.

Someone I know is offering to host her friends’ kids for a drop-off Valentine’s Day party so all the parents can go out for a date, which is such a thoughtful idea … Another lovely idea is to invite friends to an elegant “Galentines” tea party to honor your friendship. Or maybe you build up high hopes for Valentine’s Day every year, only for them to come crashing down in disappointment.

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Image courtesy of "Archdiocese of Toronto"

The Christian Origins of St. Valentine's Day (Archdiocese of Toronto)

Dr. Cynthia Cameron is Assistant Professor of Religious Education and the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Chair in Religious Education at the Faculty of Theology ...

But it was in the Middle Ages that the connection between the Feast of St. What is the connection between the celebration of St. Valentine emphasizes the faith of the martyr. In any case, the story of St. The St. Valentine is rooted in the very beginnings of the Christian Church.

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Image courtesy of "AS English"

What is Valentine's Day, and why do we celebrate it? The history of ... (AS English)

The day was once conceived as part of Christianity breaking with pagain tradition but is now nearly fully secular.

Over time, Saint Valentine became associated with love and romance, and the holiday evolved into a day to celebrate romantic love. The celebration of Valentine’s Day is believed to date back to ancient Rome, where a festival called Lupercalia was held in mid-February to venerate fertility and the coming of spring. To this end, the Catholic Church declared 14 February as Saint Valentine’s Day, in honor of a Christian martyr named Valentine who was believed to have been executed on that day.

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Image courtesy of "Hyperallergic"

Fighting HIV Stigma With Valentine's Day Cards (Hyperallergic)

Organized by Visual AIDS, “Love Positive Women” is a project that distributes hundreds of hand-crafted Valentine's Day cards to women living with HIV.

[How Anthony Daley Abstracts Rubens](https://hyperallergic.com/799845/how-anthony-daley-abstracts-rubens/) [Shalom and Pass the Joint ](https://hyperallergic.com/799710/shalom-and-pass-the-joint-jewish-heritage-cannabis/) [Basking in Vermeer’s Light at Rijksmuseum](https://hyperallergic.com/800021/basking-in-vermeers-light-at-rijksmuseum/) “Why not do something nice for the women most forgotten about?,” LPW founder Jessica Whitbread asks in a text for the project. LPW acknowledges the challenges of living with HIV as a woman while navigating the healthcare system, interpersonal relationships, and motherhood, and aims to boost awareness around the specificity of these social side effects. [A Dazzling and Troubling Display of Spanish Expansion](https://hyperallergic.com/800245/a-dazzling-and-troubling-display-of-spanish-expansion-hispanic-society-royal-academy/) [Icons of Black American History, Illustrated ](https://hyperallergic.com/795992/icons-of-black-american-history-illustrated-george-mccalman/) From tender words of care and encouragement to carefully arranged accessories such as beads, yarn, lace, and sequins, an overwhelming amount of love pours from each card. From February 2 through February 5, over 500 handmade Valentines were mounted on the walls of one of the museum’s second-floor galleries alongside a video work detailing the history and impact of the initiative. Don’t underestimate the value in something as simple as sending a valentine to a stranger.” With the help of Brooklyn-based paper-making mill Dieu Donné, LPW has invited artists, activists, and community members to design hand-crafted Valentine’s Day cards to distribute internationally to women living with HIV. The cards were sent off quickly in order to reach their destinations by the holiday.

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Image courtesy of "Buzz.ie"

Valentine's Day card featuring Enoch Burke becomes 'Ireland's ... (Buzz.ie)

A picture of the dismissed schoolteacher from Mayo standing outside Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath where he was banned from entering went viral this year ...

The Burkes who together occupied all four officer positions on the university's Christian Union Society, used society funds to print leaflets advocating for a "no" vote." "We've been blown away by the reaction. As a result, the university's "society co-ordination group" stated that Isaacc, Kezia, Ammi and Enoch were banned as a result of the distribution of the leaflets which bore the college logo, which was against the college's code of conduct, and furthermore used college funds to pay for the leaflet - misrepresenting the college in the process." A good few of us will be working over the weekend with the orders we’re getting for the Enoch card. The card shows the picture of Burke outside the school with the caption "I'll never ever ever ever ever leave you". A picture of the dismissed schoolteacher from Mayo standing outside Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath where he was banned from entering went viral this year.

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Image courtesy of "RTE.ie"

Valentine's Day and the pressures of shopping for romance (RTE.ie)

Many feel obliged to buy cards, chocolate and flowers such is the weight of tradition and expectation around February 14th.

Please review their details and accept them to load the content. [sharing experiences](https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.jcps.2014.08.004?casa_token=buvxtt3f7HoAAAAA%3AVoJVIiETCsdYFm4EgvrPqtjbfXyAIBrI5zkflPPq-hWXsME4IQyrZvUZuz0Sg_xunX68eEdNF3TvyMMq) together. [Research shows](https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/v43/acr_vol43_1020146.pdf) that tokens for a specific shop or product are less appreciated and often end up unused. And it is not uncommon for heterosexual women to consider it to be the man's role to plan and create the perfect day. [giving branded goods](https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/2829/30166_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y) is often received as a commercial gift rather than a message of love. [Cathrine Jansson-Boyd](https://theconversation.com/profiles/cathrine-jansson-boyd-237916) is a Reader in Consumer Psychology at [Anglia Ruskin University](https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887). For many, that perfection can only be achieved if it comes with the smell of a dozen red roses. This may be why [so much money](https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/02/12/couples-to-splash-out-on-flowers-and-eating-out-for-st-valentines-day/) will be spent over the next few days on the traditional fare of cards, chocolates and jewellery. This is when a person enters a store, picks something up, and is ready to pay in as little as 30 seconds. [Research](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00095.x?casa_token=dXHKwjSGkmgAAAAA:5tzlar5bS1HruzNIV5g40YchEknu-HqPSedtbh61puhKrdCcKNtA1gZ0RnqQOKoCNTbVwWJh87JsmTyI) has shown that romantic relationships are more likely to end on or around February 14th compared to almost any other time of the year. [escalating expectations](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1986301), especially in their 20s, about what they should receive as a Valentine's gift. But the fact that the date has become so commercialised can also be a real turnoff.

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Image courtesy of "Checkout"

Love In A time Of Inflation: How Much Will Valentine's Day Set You ... (Checkout)

This Valentine's Day is set to look different after a year of record food inflation that has sent up prices of everything from flowers to chocolates and ...

Click [subscribe](https://www.checkout.ie/subscribe) to sign up for the Checkout print edition. COVID-era supply chain logjams and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have meant that Britons paid a record 16.7% more for food in the four weeks to Jan. "It's an opportunity for the supermarkets to sell their premium ranges to people who wouldn't normally buy them," said Chris Beckett, head of equity research at investment firm Quilter Cheviot. For more A-brand news, click [here](https://www.checkout.ie/a-brands/mr-kipling-owner-premier-foods-restores-dividend-stellar-year-133251). The price of flowers rose 6.2% in Britain in December. Last year, a similar experience cost 1,090 euros.

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Image courtesy of "The Irish Sun"

Brits slam tacky Valentine's Day gifts – and instead prefer 'romantic ... (The Irish Sun)

HALF of adults think Valentine's Day is a 'waste of money" - with novelty mugs, cheap underwear, and gift vouchers among the worst presents.A poll o.

Yorkshire Dales (nearest train station: Richmond Station, Darlington Station, Skipton Station) London (nearest train station: St Pancras Station, Euston Station, Kings Cross Station, Paddington Station) The Cotswolds (nearest train station: Moreton in Marsh Station, Cheltenham Station, Gloucester Station) St Ives, Cornwall (nearest train station: St Ives Station and Penzance Station) The Lake District (nearest train station: Oxenholme Lake District Station and Penrith North Lakes Station) TIP: Take a trip to the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens or Cotswolds Distillery or book a romantic meal at The Wild Rabbit restaurant.

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Image courtesy of "kuna noticias y kuna radio"

Valentine's Day spending projected to increase 8% from last year ... (kuna noticias y kuna radio)

Consumers are expected to spend $25.9 billion on Valentine's Day this year, up from $23.9 billion in 2022 and one of the highest spending years on record, ...

Americans plan to spend more than $5.5 billion on jewelry and nearly $4.4 billion on a special evening out. According to data from a survey released in late January, 52% of consumers plan to celebrate and will spend an average of $192.80. Of the $17 increase in per-person spending, $14 comes from gifts for pets, friends and co-workers, along with classmates or teachers. to 7:00 p.m. The top gifts include candy (57%), greeting cards (40%), flowers (37%), an evening out (32%), jewelry (21%), gift cards (20%) and clothing (19%). Whether your sweetheart prefers flowers, jewelry, or a home-cooked meal, inflation will factor into the cost of just about everything this Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day: Check history, significance of day of love on ... (Economic Times)

Valentines Day – a day in the name of love and for love – has deep roots in Christianity. While most of it is unknown yet, regardless of that, ...

The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). During the festival, priests would sacrifice animals for fertility and purification, and women would be smeared with the blood in a belief that it would make them more fertile the following year. Before his death, it is said that Valentine wrote a letter to her and signed it "From your Valentine." The unclear history may upset many, but nevertheless, February 14 is known as a day for love. But, let’s dig into its significance and how [February 14](/topic/february-14)came to known as Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day falls every on February 14.

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Image courtesy of "Fox News"

Who is St. Valentine and how is he related to Valentine's Day? (Fox News)

Origins of St. Valentine remain unclear due to competing legends, but he's still remembered as the patron saint of love. By Cortney Moore | Fox News.

[CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER](https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters?cmpid=fnfirstnl) [(central Italy),](https://www.foxnews.com/category/travel/regions/europe) who performed the same illegal Christian weddings and distributed paper hearts to symbolize their loving vows to God. [religious martyrs](https://www.foxnews.com/category/faith-values/faith) who were put to death by the Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus around 270 A.D., according to Britannica. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes St. [family members and close friends](https://www.foxnews.com/category/topic/family-and-friends) as a representation of love, according to traditions established in the U.S. Some stories of St. [celebrated around the world](https://www.foxnews.com/category/lifestyle/occasions/celebrations) and is a multibillion-dollar holiday industry, according to the National Retail Federation and various global market research reports. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THESE FACTS ABOUT THE ANNUAL DAY OF LOVE?](https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/valentines-day-quiz-how-well-know-facts-annual-day-love) This telling of St. [romantic love](https://www.foxnews.com/category/lifestyle/relationships) with Valentine’s Day, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Valentine, among others, Britannica and History.com report. [officiated weddings](https://www.foxnews.com/category/lifestyle/weddings) and were sentenced to death around the same time, both are associated with St.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

How To Choose A Champagne For Valentine's Day, According To A ... (Forbes)

An advanced sommelier weighs in on her perfect pairings, from braised lamb and vintage rosé Champagne to caviar and blanc de blanc.

“Do yourself a favor and shop at a boutique wine shop where there is a sommelier or expert able to guide you,” says Patricia. “Let them know what is on the menu and how much you're willing to spend, and they'll direct you to a delicious selection to make your Valentine's night super special.” “With caviar, I love a generous Blanc de Blancs,” says Patricia. While it still offers all the delicate flavors of a true Champagne, it doesn’t have the prestige of a single vintage. “There is a style of Champagne that can pair with almost anything,” says Patricia. She makes a strong case for popping Champagne beyond a starting sip — pair it with braised lamb shanks or cracking a cuvee for caviar.

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Image courtesy of "Oklahoman.com"

Andrea Chancellor: For me, Valentine's Day has never delivered ... (Oklahoman.com)

I agreed to meet him outside the middle school band room at the end of the school day. This sweet, skinny, blond-haired boy produced a red satin valentine ...

Shoving my hands into the pockets, it became obvious he was packing a gun. When he finished for the evening he came over carrying a huge Valentine’s Day arrangement. We went out, and he told me not to share with anyone his name or where he worked. As hoped, he asked me out and showed up wearing a handsome three-piece suit and tie. One year a beau took me to a Valentine's dance. Certainly, this was meant to be.

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Image courtesy of "ScrippsNews"

How to do Valentine's Day on a budget without looking cheap (ScrippsNews)

No need to spend $100 on long-stem roses for Valentine's Day. There are plenty of other gifts to show your love without breaking the bank.

Navy / AP hearts," she said, "as well as 2-lb. hearts." And everything in between. But other options are affordable and just as sweet for Valentine's Day celebrations.By Christopher Furlong / Getty Images Tuesday is Valentine's Day, and if you haven't ordered flowers yet, it will be very expensive. "We have 1-lb. [Valentine's Day](https://scrippsnews.com/stories/san-antonio-zoo-will-name-cockroach-after-your-ex/)." [heart-shaped](https://scrippsnews.com/stories/why-is-the-heart-the-symbol-of-love/) gift for your valentine?" [Groupon](https://www.groupon.com/) and [Uncommon Goods](https://www.uncommongoods.com/) have deals for cooking classes, getaways and even massages. But other options are affordable and just as sweet for Valentine's Day celebrations. [LEARN MORE](https://scrippsnews.com/stories/how-to-save-on-valentine-s-flowers-as-inflation-hits-roses/)

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

55 Valentine's Day Gifts For Him That'll Show How Much You Care (Forbes)

We've rounded up the best Valentine's Day gift ideas for every kind of guy, including food and drinks, smart fashion, gadgets and cool tech he might not ...

They say the way to man’s heart is through his stomach, and this gift from Shack Shack might be a direct line. Just attach it to the item in question and it will instantly be on his radar in the Find My app. It may be too chilly outside for a pick-up game with the guys, but that doesn’t mean he can’t practice his jump shot. Whether your guy is into skateboarding, backpacking, snorkeling or skydiving, GoPro is the ideal camera to capture the action. He deserves a snazzy weekender bag that elevates the experience of getting away for a couple of days. For those times when it’s important to tune out the world, a set of headphones with active noise cancellation is critical. There was a time when a guy might roll his eyes at getting a wallet for a gift, but that was in the old days, before the renaissance in wallets. If your guy has exhausted what the History Channel has to offer and spends his time reading books about the Civil War, this might be for him. For $7 dollars more per month, you can opt for the ad-free Hulu and Disney+. And don’t forget the Any guy who loves spending time in the kitchen would be thrilled to get an Always Pan. This sleek two-tone sweatshirt looks cool and can be worn on its own or layered, which makes it a versatile piece for the winter months.

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Image courtesy of "Restaurant Business Online"

Inflation won't dampen diners' Valentine's Day plans (Restaurant Business Online)

A majority of consumers say they plan to spend the same amount or more this year vs. last year, according to a survey by Popmenu.

Half of men said $50-$100 is the right amount to spend compared to 58% of women. That’s compared to 5% of men who said the same. A number of concepts are courting couples today with And 37% of men are prepared to drop $100 or more compared to 19% of women. Forty-three percent of men and 47% of women, meanwhile, are budgeting the same amount as they did last year. Indeed, many Americans appear primed to spend freely this Valentine’s Day, especially at restaurants.

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Image courtesy of "EVOKE"

Valentine's Day: Expert Tips On Picking The Perfect Scent (EVOKE)

Things might be getting a bit hot and heavy by your second date, enter the trending perfume note, musk. Often likened to the smell of skin and utterly addictive ...

Lavender is also known as the 'herb of love,' and has been used as a scent to attract the opposite sex before bottled perfume even existed. It has typically been used in male scents, but in the past couple of years, we have seen a burst of lavender women's fragrances, which have a sexy and androgynous edge.' The smell of musk closely resembles that of testosterone, which means it is more likely to act as a pheromone.' It's not much of a surprise that the Victorians banned young girls from wearing tuberose, there would have been carnage. Like Jasmine, its alluring appeal comes down to the idoles which give it a potent appeal. For a second date that's sure to send sparks flying, this is the scent for you.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift, Cocktail, And Dinner Date Ideas (Forbes)

More than half of American consumers will in some way celebrate Valentine's Day, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

[Valentine’s Day 2023 Gift Guide: The Best Zero-Proof Wines](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanneobriencoffey/2023/02/10/valentines-day-2023-gift-guide-best-zero-proof-wine/?sh=6039415b414a) Here are 12 creative cocktails with a wide array of flavors that will impress your significant other. [Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Best Fruity Mixers](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanettehurt/2023/02/10/valentines-day-gift-guide-best-fruity-mixers/?sh=50948bc81e80) [Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Delicious Liqueurs](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanettehurt/2023/02/09/forbes-valentines-day-gift-guide-liqueurs/) Not sure what wine to select for Valentine’s Day with your loved one? From chardonnays to cabernets, here are twelve wines just right for the occasion. [Make A Valentine's Day Cocktail To Impress Your Loved One](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hudsonlindenberger/2023/02/09/making-a-valentines-day-cocktail-can-impress-your-loved-one/?sh=26fcd7a11615) And they have pro tips for navigating the often complicated financial issues that can weigh on your romantic relationships. [Valentine’s Day Wine Recommendations From An Expert](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hudsonlindenberger/2023/02/10/valentines-day-wine-recommendations-from-an-expert/?sh=1cbe1919743c) [Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Best Beers That Pair Well With Chocolate](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanettehurt/2023/02/09/valentines-day-gift-guide-best-beers-that-pair-well-with-chocolate/?sh=200a77d746c0) [Make Panettone Bread Pudding For Your Valentine](https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethkarmel/2023/02/03/make-panettone-bread-pudding-for-your-valentine/?sh=128dfe817e07) [Want Your Valentine's Day To Be Sexy, Try These Foods](https://www.forbes.com/sites/phillempert/2023/02/08/want-your-valentines-day-to-be-sexy-try-these-foods/?sh=4b46b2e04a38)

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Image courtesy of "ASU Now"

How to communicate in a relationship on Valentine's Day (ASU Now)

Mid-February can also be a time to observe all of your close relationships, including friends and family. Arizona State University Professor Laura K. Guerrero ...

For example, you could plan a trip for another weekend and then give each other the tickets or pictures of where you will be going on Valentine’s Day. You should be open to having that conversation or accept that the time for such a conversation is later and that it should be prompted by something other than Valentine's Day. Doing so can help you think of new things you’d both like to try and also remember past fun times together. It might be as simple as watching a movie you saw together when you were dating, cooking a meal together that reminds you of a place you once visited, or looking through old photos together and reliving cherished memories. It can be fun to plan the date together. This will help your partner get to know you better and give you something to talk about that you enjoy. Sharabi: Some of my research on Instagram has shown that posting a lot of couple pictures is related to being more committed to each other. One way to handle this is to simply let your partner know that you realize you are not an official couple yet and that you don't expect anything special for Valentine's Day. ... For Valentine’s Day, you want to keep things fun ... This can take the pressure off the situation, while still letting the person know that you see the potential for something more serious in the future. The point, she says, is to spend quality time with people you are close to other than your significant other. For others, the day can be fraught with uncertainty about whether or how to communicate one’s feelings.

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Image courtesy of "Digital Commerce 360"

Valentine's Day product searches on Amazon rise year over year (Digital Commerce 360)

Amazon shoppers looked up "valentines day decor" 2.2 million times in January, up 51% year over year. Key takeaways: A beard oil set was the most popular ...

3 in the [Digital Commerce 360 Online Marketplaces database](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/product/online-marketplaces-database/), which ranks the 100 largest global marketplaces. [2022 Digital Commerce 360 Top 1000 database](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/product/top-1000-database/). A beard oil gift set was the most popular “valentines day gifts” product, according to Similarweb. However, not all the most popular Amazon searches were for Valentine’s Day items. Apple Watch and iPhone accessories were also high on the list of searches in January 2023. Searches for “valentines day decor” increased 51% year over year in January 2023.

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Image courtesy of "CNET"

Ahead of Valentine's Day, These Are the Top Searched Date Night ... (CNET)

When it comes to bouquets, Google said searches for "flower bouquet" remain a top search ahead of the holiday but the second spot goes to the more meaty "beef ...

Movies and mini golf are top date options in many states, but the slightly more adventurous ax throwing was trending in Connecticut and Michigan. 14, Google said in a blog post, though the most searched activities varied by state. Searches for "date night ideas" spiked this year leading up to Feb.

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Image courtesy of "Irish Examiner"

Sharing the love with your family on Valentine's Day (Irish Examiner)

February 14 is an ideal opportuntity for parents with connect with their children and let them know they are special.

And we’ll pull out the scooters, go to the park.” Valentine’s Day gives parents an opportunity to celebrate their love in front of the children.” As a parent, you don’t need the gimmicks, the let’s-go-to-Smyths, children just want to be with you. With her older daughter, Laura wants to highlight this year the importance of nurturing relationships with female friends. “It could be very random — going to the park, telling jokes over dinner.” In the teen years, a lot can interrupt the connection. Valentine’s Day represents a pause and an opportunity to connect, says Dr Anne-Marie Casey, senior clinical psychologist and member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. And perhaps today might be a good day to begin one of those. “There’s a lot of closeness in the early years. The busyness of life can interrupt our opportunities to connect.” It’s all about putting appreciation and connection front and centre, and sweet little rituals on Valentine’s Day are a way of doing that. He’d never walk in the door without something for me, but I wanted to make Valentine’s special for Fiadh and Rían.”

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Image courtesy of "The Irish Times"

On St Valentine's Day, 11 eternal tales of love (and obsession ... (The Irish Times)

We've chosen some of the finest examples of what can happen when Cupid reaches for his quiver.

Diarmuid and Gráinne is a case in point, its tale of young lovers on the run from an ageing king being very similar indeed to that of Tristan and Iseult, or of Helen and Paris. Ultimately, though, we have it on very good opinion (ie Cathy’s) that whatever their souls were made out of, his and hers were the very same stuff, which – if we might judge classic romance according to Plato’s theory of twin souls sundered – suggests that Wuthering Heights is not only a love story but also the greatest tale of Platonic love ever told. The story of the turbulent relationship between Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff is one of obsession, hatred and revenge that might – just might, mind you – have eventually mellowed into the resigned mutual tolerance of marriage had Cathy and Heathcliff ever leaped the broom. No wonder Dido’s tragic love has been the subject of epic poems (Virgil), plays (Marlowe), operas (Purcell), novels (Geras), art (Turner) and mediaeval biography (Boccaccio). He’s a bona-fide Oscar-nominated Hollywood star now, of course, but Normal People was our first glimpse of Paul Mescal, whose portrayal of the moody Connell opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones’s Marianne caused a century-high spike in fainting-couch sales (Ed: check this with Harvey Norman), even if his louchely dangling medallion somehow failed to secure a Bafta nomination for most provocative prop. Take Kit Marlowe’s Hero and Leander, in which the lovers are doomed once the fate-tempting bard starts philosophising on the nature of love: “Where both deliberate, the love is slight: Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?” For a truly epic poem that ends in inevitable tragedy, however, we look to Bai Juyi’s Song of Everlasting Regret (or Sorrow), which details the love affair between the Chinese emperor Tang Xuanzong (685-762) and his favourite concubine, Yang Yuhuan, which was of such a red-hot passion that the emperor neglected his more prosaic duties – passing laws, suppressing dissidents, etc – and so failed to anticipate the rebellion that eventually forced him to abdicate his throne and Yang Yuhuan to hang herself by way of forced contrition. Dante harrowed hell for the love of his Beatrice, Don Quixote went about battling windmills for the glory of Dulcinea del Toboso, and Odysseus managed to (eventually) extricate himself from Calypso’s snares to find his way back to Ithaca and Penelope. It is with sadness it is written, and with sadness no doubt that it will be read, but it must be acknowledged that there are those reading these lines who have yet to watch Casablanca. Not a chap to be easily rebuffed, our Florentio: having fallen for Fermina as a moody teen, this dapper man about town weathers the many emotional storms that follow, which include the outbreaks of the foreshadowed plague and Fermina’s loving marriage to the Colombian national hero Dr Juvenal Urbino. “We started out like Romeo and Juliet,” a lovelorn Milhouse laments in The Simpsons as he pines for Samantha Stankey, “but it ended up in tragedy!” Well, quite. Rapturously in love, the musician Orpheus marries Eurydice only for her to be bitten by a viper and descend into Hades. “No reproach passed her lips,” Ovid reports as the damned Eurydice sinks into the depths eternal once more, from which we can safely assume that Ovid (a) wasn’t an eyewitness and (b) had very little experience of wives whose husbands can’t do the one bloody thing they’re asked to do.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Lovers and myGov-ers': the best and worst Valentine's Day PR stunts (The Guardian)

Roses are red, violets are blue, if you're cashing in on the love, the joke may be on you.

The campaign said it would be “perfect for a different Valentine’s Day”. Here’s hoping that difference isn’t the ambient music of beans and their KCSA Strategic Communications understands that nothing gets you in the mood for romance quite like being reminded of incurable sexually transmitted diseases. For most proficient publicists, it means just one thing: the chance to promote your product, no matter how tangential the connection to the celebration of love. [here](https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/have-a-heart-to-heart-with-loved-ones-to-help-stop-scams-this-valentines-day). “Romance scammers will pull on their victim’s heartstrings to get what they want.

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Image courtesy of "Irish Post"

STARDUST: Victims remembered on anniversary of Valentine's Day ... (Irish Post)

THE victims of a fire which broke out in a Dublin nightclub 42 years ago today have been remember...

Today, Martina Hand, pictured below at the Shrine of St Valentine in Dublin’s Whitefriar Street Church, was among those commemorating the victims on the anniversary of the fire. In the early hours of Valentine's Day, February 14, 1981, hundreds of people were attending a disco at Stardust nightclub in Artane. THE victims of a fire which broke out in a Dublin nightclub 42 years ago today have been remembered.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

The 'unhinged' act every man should look out for on Valentine's Day ... (Daily Mail)

An Australian radio host has blasted a Valentine's Day gesture which has become a growing trend among women.

In a surprise twist this Valentine's Day, more men are reportedly receiving flowers and gifts than ever before In a surprise twist this Valentine's Day, more men are reportedly receiving flowers than ever before. Radio host Merrick Watts has weighed in on the idea of women gifting their male partners flowers on Valentine's Day

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Image courtesy of "The Avondhu Press"

Grow Mental Health volunteers feeling the love with MINI this ... (The Avondhu Press)

MINI Ireland has partnered with Grow Mental Health to spread messages of love and gratitude this Valentine's Day. Today Grow Mental Health will deliver ...

Julie Bothwell, Head of Sales and marketing MINI Ireland said: “MINI has always been the answer to the challenges we face with individual mobility. MINI Ireland has partnered with Grow Mental Health to spread messages of love and gratitude this Valentine’s Day. To launch this initiative, Christine Fitzgerald, Board Member of Grow Mental Health presented MINI’s Friend of the Brand Mark Donnelly with a ‘Thank You’ rose.

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Image courtesy of "Cork Beo"

Cork couple could be the country's most romantic pair this ... (Cork Beo)

The Cork couple had their first date in Arthur Maynes more than five years ago and looking back on half a decade of love, Liz describes Graham as the most ...

It was just magic." "We had a ball. "I think it's very important to spend time with each other and date. As we were flying, he put his hands in the shape of a love heart and told me to look down. We pulled into this sports arena, rounded the corner and it was an airfield with a helicopter! We had flown over an island in the shape of an actual love heart. "Because I work in the wedding industry I'm surrounded by a love bubble every single weekend of the year. "Before I started dating Graham I was beginning to give up on men being chivalrous. "He was the nicest guy ever and when I was younger, I didn't appreciate it. "It is rare to find such a romantic man these days. We went on our first date in Arthur Maynes five years ago and the rest is history!" Now on Valentine's Day, Liz took some time to reflect on her relationship and how Graham really raised the bar for men everywhere.

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Image courtesy of "MARCA.com"

Happy Valentine's Day Quotes: What are the best love quotes? (MARCA.com)

This Tuesday is February 14, which mean's it's Valentine's Day 2023. It's a day for giving gifts and for spreading the love, so many people want to know ...

- "You must have known that I was lonely because you came to my rescue, and I know that this must be heaven. You love them in spite of the fact that they're not." - "You don't love someone because they're perfect. Oh, my love is like the melody, that's sweetly played in tune." - "Oh, my love is like a red, red rose, that's newly sprung in June. - "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Photos: Valentine's Day celebrations around the world (Aljazeera.com)

The February 14 occasion is marked in many countries but traditions are often very different. Valentines day. A Palestinian man balances a giant teddy as he ...

Promoters quickly got the idea to extend the “tradition” beyond lovers, with schoolchildren often expected to bring a Valentine card for every one of their classmates. He literally lost his head over love – decapitated on the orders of Emperor Claudius II, they say, for secretly performing weddings. In England, the exchange of messages known as “Valentines” on February 14 developed with the rise of the postal service in the 19th century, with the sender often signing off “Your Valentine”.

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Image courtesy of "WCNC.com"

The history of Valentine's Day (WCNC.com)

It's pretty standard to give your sweetheart a card or flowers on Valentine's Day. The tradition isn't new, dating back to Pagan times, ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Kabul florists heartbroken over Taliban Valentine's Day ban (FRANCE 24)

Florists with wilting bouquets of red roses and street vendors clutching unsold balloons were heartbroken in the Afghan capital on Tuesday after the ...

The poster said Valentine's Day "is not Islamic and is not part of the Afghan culture but a sloganeering day of the infidels". "Celebrating the day of lovers is showing sympathy to the Christian Pope," it read. In the window of one outlet, a poster signed off by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice warned shoppers: "Avoid celebrating lovers' day!"

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Image courtesy of "Creativebrief"

Can Valentine's Day ever be an inclusive marketing opportunity ... (Creativebrief)

Valentine's Day has historically focused on a one dimensional view of love that excludes the majority. Nicola Kemp. Editorial Director. Share.

Brands re-thinking Valentines as a way of being and living, helping to facilitate loyalty to oneself is the next love revolution. Saint Valentine, the day’s namesake had very little to do with romantic love, and his cause was hijacked by the idea of romantic love in the 18th Century. Approaching Valentine’s Day through sex, with simple imagery and a message, revels in the aesthetic of the holiday without alienating any type of relationship. For a toxic tradition designed to sell an outdated, idealised and one dimensional view of love is anything but inclusive. Contrasting with the high-emotion ads we see at Christmas, Valentine’s Day activity is commercial without fanfare, asking us to buy stuff and book dates. Celebrating romantic love, all too often between a man and a woman, primarily through purchasing gifts, in many ways feels out of touch with the reality of multifaceted lives in which ‘romantic love’ is not the pinnacle of a patriarchal achievement economy.

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Image courtesy of "Economic Times"

Funny Valentine's Day memes to share with your single friends (Economic Times)

St. Valentine was known for his acts of kindness and love, particularly towards young couples in love. He was known to have performed secret marriages for young ...

His acts of love and compassion led to his killing and later he was canonized as the patron saint of love. Valentine was known for his acts of kindness and love, particularly towards young couples in love. (FB: Gym Memes) https://t.co/X8bjAiYb0I— Betches (@betchesluvthis) https://t.co/VTuyj1YJUj— India Forums (@indiaforums) https://t.co/BUMkqwUq68— Theresa Perugini (@theresa2010) The general hype around the day can be pretty overwhelming.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Happy Valentine's Day? Social media etiquette for break-ups (BBC News)

Etiquette expert William Hanson tells Newsbeat the dos and don'ts for your socials after a split.

"I wouldn't suggest doing a thirst trap ever but I can understand the desire for people to get a little bit of validation from people online." If we haven't all done it, we've probably thought about it. "Writing it down on your phone can help, but actually sending it to them very rarely does and you can come across as a little bit weird if you do that." "It's never a good idea to post publicly about your break-up, to bad mouth them," William says. "I would be tempted to go cold turkey for a few days, just to really reflect and think about what the best course of action should be." And I would just take a moment to think what you do," William tells Newsbeat.

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Image courtesy of "CNET"

Google Doodle Showers Valentine's Day With Raindrops (CNET)

The Feb. 14 Doodle sees love blossom in rainy weather.

Searches for ["heart-shaped pizza"](/deals/get-a-heart-shaped-pizza-valentines-day-2023/) apparently also rise every February in the US. [searches for "date night ideas" had spiked](/culture/for-valentines-day-these-are-the-top-searched-date-night-ideas-on-google/) in the days leading up to Feb. 14 as an origin of the holiday's focus on romance.

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Image courtesy of "AS English"

Valentine's Day: The best phrases and messages to celebrate the ... (AS English)

Valentine's Day is celebrated on 14 February 14 in the United States. We share the best phrases for the day of love and friendship.

Thank you so much for being you.” “In the words of Walt Whitman, “We were together. Take my love with you on this beautiful occasion!” Here are some of the best phrases for today. Although this day is usually focused on couples, it has also become a date to congratulate and celebrate with friends or family. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 in the USA.

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Image courtesy of "OnePeterFive"

Forgotten Customs of St. Valentine's Day - OnePeterFive (OnePeterFive)

For a short period, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage to keep men available as soldiers for the Roman army. However, St. Valentine refused to accept this ...

In Bohemia the boys would send messengers to the homes of their girlfriends to deliver the solemn proposal. He is also the author of [Catholic Book Summaries: 54 Traditional and Contemporary Classics](https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-r-plese/shop/matthew-r-plese/catholic-book-summaries-54-traditional-and-contemporary-classics/ebook/product-1nwm7vzm.html); [Eschatology: The Catholic Study of the Four Last Things](https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/matthew-r-plese/eschatology-the-catholic-study-of-the-four-last-things/paperback/product-1wvjdy47.html?page=1&pageSize=4); [Understanding the Precepts of the Church](https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/matthew-r-plese/understanding-the-precepts-of-the-church/paperback/product-18rz5w59.html?page=1&pageSize=4), and [The Roman Catechism Explained for the Modern World](https://amzn.to/3HxZKVA) as well as [The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting & Abstinence](https://amzn.to/3Z7aUGn). Father Weiser in “Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs” relates the following: If the stories most asserted regarding the life of St. Here’s one: In Roman Empire days, the Romans engaged in a pagan practice of putting the names of teenage girls in a box and adolescent boys would draw a name at random. The Roman Martyrology lists seven other saints named “Valentine” who died on days other than February 14th, of which a few are also from Roman times: a priest from Viterbo (November 3); Valentine of Passau, papal missionary bishop to Raetia, who died in 475 AD (January 7); a 5th-century priest and hermit (July 4); a Spanish hermit who died in c. Today the skull of St. The following is one account of St. Valentine is commemorated each year in the Mass and the Office on February 14th when his feastday falls during Lent (as it usually does). Valentine would read to her about the history of Rome. But were you fully aware that the day is named after St. The jailer saw that Valentine was a man of learning, so he brought his daughter Julia to Valentine for lessons.

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Image courtesy of "Psychiatric Times"

Sex, Loneliness, the Super Bowl, and Valentine's Day (Psychiatric Times)

PSYCHIATRIC VIEWS ON THE DAILY NEWS. Some people like the halftime entertainment better than the football game itself. Like the game, as I discussed ...

He serves on the Editorial Board of Psychiatric Times™. Through the influential Freudian theories of his times, psychiatry used to be a profession that focused on sex, including its underlying meanings. A prolific writer and speaker, he received the one-time designation of Hero of Public Psychiatry from the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association in 2002. Social media is high on the list, despite the paradox of all the “friends” on Facebook profiles. A growing concern about having children is the future of our climate. Rihanna was the star and sang her hits.

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Image courtesy of "Ipsos Research"

4 in 10 plan on celebrating Valentine's Day this year, with romantic ... (Ipsos Research)

Among those likely to celebrate on 14th February, people are most likely to have a romantic dinner at home (49%), send Valentine's Day cards (40%) or have sex/ ...

Despite the increase in costs since last year, a majority expect to spend the same amount of Valentine’s Day this year as they did in 2022 (55%). Around 3 in 5 say it is OK for people to propose on the holiday (74%) or give homemade presents (74%) while two-thirds say the same for getting married (66%) or going on a first date (67%). Around 1 in 5 (22%) say the man should pay for the bill while 15% believe each person should pay for the items they ordered.

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Image courtesy of "Economic Times"

Valentine's Day and St. Valentine: What is the connection? (Economic Times)

The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to the legendary Christian martyr St. Valentine, who served as an inspiration for over two thousand years.

The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). As time passed, the [Feast of Saint Valentine](/topic/feast-of-saint-valentine)transformed into a day for celebrating love, eventually evolving into the modern-day Valentine's Day. [Pope](/topic/pope)Julius I of the [Catholic Church](/topic/catholic-church)ordered the construction of a basilica at the Via Flaminia, an ancient roadway connecting Rome and Rimini, over St. [Roman Catholic Church](/topic/roman-catholic-church)acknowledges St. According to a passed-down legend, St. Valentine lived during the period spanning the late 2nd and early 3rd century AD.

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Image courtesy of "Connecticut Public Radio"

The 'hidden history' of Valentine's Day – and how to make it your own (Connecticut Public Radio)

GUESTS: Elizabeth Nelson: Associate Professor of History, University of Nevada Las Vegas; Lindsey Weishar: Freelance Writer, The Catholic Post, Ploughshares, ...

["hidden history of Valentine’s Day." [The Catholic Post](https://thecatholicpost.com/category/columnists/), [Ploughshares](https://blog.pshares.org/author/lindseyweishar/), and Stamford-based [Verily](https://verilymag.com/author/lindsey-weishar); Poet [Elizabeth Nelson:](https://www.unlv.edu/people/elizabeth-nelson)Associate Professor of History, University of Nevada Las Vegas

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Image courtesy of "World Council of Churches"

On Valentine's Day, some insights on the power of love (World Council of Churches)

Nabukeera Doreen, 28, a peer educator who works with women living with HIV or AIDS in Uganda, reflected on how her views on love have changed.

The hole at the middle of my heart was closed the moment I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and saviour. Valentine's Day is a special day dedicated to celebrating the love and affection we feel for the most important people in our lives. I realized that the love I had been looking for in people and materials was only in God. This “love’s” magical spell had destroyed a good number of my peers and I was simply confused on how to go about love. My greatest heart-desire as a growing young person was to be loved, especially by the opposite sex, but I grew up in a Nigerian suburb of strictly work and less love. I thought that was love, that it was only between a boy and a girl. However, for many people, this day can also be a reminder of bad love experiences that left bitter memories and wounds. His love sustained every day of my life and this love was very abundant even when I didn't ask. I was hurt by the people who were so close to me that I loved the most. I now know to fight for my rights thanks to the World Council of Churches. For me, it was on Valentine’s Day in 2013 that I got into a mess because I wanted to please my boyfriend. Now I know who I am in front of my God and people around me.

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