{"id":144458,"date":"2017-02-14T10:20:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-14T08:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/144458\/juicy-tidbits-for-the-love-of-valentines-day\/"},"modified":"2017-02-14T10:35:15","modified_gmt":"2017-02-14T08:35:15","slug":"juicy-tidbits-for-the-love-of-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/opinion-edition\/2017\/02\/14\/juicy-tidbits-for-the-love-of-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Juicy Tidbits \u2013 For the love of Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day, also called St Valentine\u2019s Day or the Feast of St Valentine, is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14.<\/p>

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It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honouring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognised as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.<\/p>\n

The day encourages people to shower their significant other with gifts and affection, with many opting to enjoy an evening out enjoying a candlelit dinner.<\/p>

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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.<\/p>\n

In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards, known as Valentines.<\/p>\n

In Europe, St Valentine\u2019s Keys are given to lovers as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

But for many the day is nothing more than a money-making scheme.<\/p>\n

I asked people on Facebook how they will be spending Valentine\u2019s Day, and if they thought it was important to do something for their special someone or if it was just another day?<\/p>\n