Valentine's Day -- Invented By Hersheys/Hallmark Or By Something Else?

[4GiveAnd4Get]

After 20 years of living on this Earth, I have never fully understood where V-Day has come from.

 

I would like some different opinions as to why we celebrate this day and why it has such an affect on people.

[anggrace]

Hmmm, I saw last night that there is going to be a show on the History channel about it. I did't catch the time though. Anyone have a tv guide?

[RayKay]

Valentine's Day actually is based on a history, at least loosely. There WAS a St. Valentine! There are a few different theories though as where it actually came from:

 

link removed

[musicguy]

I'm sure Wikipedia will give you answers.

[kellbell]

Hey there,

 

I have heard from many sources that Valentine's Day is a made up holiday by Hallmark in order to make money between Christmas and Easter. I would have to say they have been extremely successful.

[Northalius]

I'd not say they had to make it up simply because they're so successful at marketing it. They're just taking advantage of what they have to work with, is all.

 

It's like people thinking I made the guitar simply because I can play better than anyone else! Which I can't, but just using this as a fictitious example.

 

Or like thinking Toys R Us made up Christmas all on their own... lol!

[valiantv]

Yeah it was already there, they just turned it into a card-giving holiday... I mean they could have done the same with St. Brigid's day or Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, and be technically able to say it's a real holiday...

[musicguy]

Valentine's Day is way too overdone, it's just an excuse for men be romanitc to their significant others and spend money on them KIDDING!!!

 

I wish I had a Valentine

[melrich]

I think it does have some historical basis but I am pretty sure it was commercialised mid 20th century. It is one of the earlier incarnations of things like mother's day and father's day and the more recent derivatives such as secretary's day.

 

No question these sorts of celebrations have been increasingly commercialised and I think that is why some people openly rebel against the retail nature of modern V-Day.