• It originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus
• There are numerous martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome's imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire.

• According to legend, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge, and he wrote her a letter signed "From Your Valentine" as a farewell before his execution.

• The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269.

Saint Valentine of Rome (Source: from a medieval illuminated manuscript / Wikimedia Commons)

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Chaucer was also famous for Canterbury Tales.

In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines.") Valentine's Day symbols still used used today include the heart-shaped items and the winged cupid. 

I personally love VINTAGE Valentine's Day cards. Here is a card from my private collection, postmarked Feb 14, 1902. 

(Source: From the collection of Peppermint-twist-vintage.com - author unknown)

When I think if Valentine's day, two things are ingrained in my mind, to be given as gifts: Flowers, in particular roses, and chocolates. This has been promoted for decades. 

1950's FTD Floral Ad (Source: Yahoo images)

1943 Whitmore Chocolate Ad, reminding us that our loved one needs chocolates  (Source: yahoo images)

I don't want to sound negative but the issue is, roses can be pricey and can die within a week or two. Unless of course, they come from your own garden. Although delicious, chocolate is wrapped is so much plastic and inked cardboard that it ends up in the landfill site. Unless of course, you made the chocolates, from scratch.  To be honest, these are almost forgettable gifts!

Wilted Flowers after two weeks (Source google images)

A standard box of chocolates: plastic and cardboard, that ends up in the landfill sites. (Picture Source: wikipedia)

For the woman or young lady in your life, my favourite recommendation is a brooch.

I am not just saying this as a sales pitch (well, maybe a little) but I do think it's a more memorable, versatile and shows some thought into the gift. Plus they are sentimental also, especially when you pick the person's favourite colour, or a heart-shaped or animal brooch.

We have OVER 100 brooches to chose from. Here are some of my favourite, one-of a kind, brooches in stock now. 

Examine our entire collection. Here is a just sample of items that we have. SAVE 15% off your order until February 14th

 

 

Most people love cameos, as do I. This is a great Cameo brooch collection.

 

 

 

I recommend jewelry sets including this gorgeous earring, necklace and bracelet set from Coro, circa 1950s.

This gorgeous pink, aurora borealis 1960s jewelry set is gorgeous also with a lovely brooch, earrings and wrap bracelet.

Also, earrings are very inexpensive. Here is a sample of a few great for St. Valentine's Day.

 

 

 

And these gorgeous white CORO earrings are so wonderful.