Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Led Zeppelin Valentine's Day Countdown - Of Valentine's Day Past


Ah yes, when one thinks of the Valentine's Day celebrations growing up as a child, it is hard not to remember one Lupercalia custom which everyone in my class participated in (even if we did not realize at the time that it was actually pagan in nature). That long- practiced tradition of exchanging Valentine's Day cards. Even the Lutheran Sunday School which my brother and I belonged to at the time allowed all of us children to do so.

 
In elementary school, we were told to write out a card for each and every fellow student and then place all of the cards into a big box. We all took turns at picking out a card from the box until they were all gone. This way, everyone received a Valentine's greeting and no one was left out ~ making Valentine's Day a group celebration everyone could enjoy.

Unlike the Lupercalia festivals which the Roman's celebrated centuries ago, the evolution of this holiday has changed the way in which we view this holiday quite a bit. For example, instead of making it a community or group celebration, we as a society have turned it into mere commercialism. While receiving a rather expensive bouquet of roses, chocolates and/or a stuffed teddy bear from our beloved may give us a warm, special feeling inside, it hardly does very much for those who spend this holiday at home alone feeling unloved or unappreciated.
 
Now, I am not in any way suggesting that we hold a lover lottery for all and allow men to chase women around while lightly hitting them with a thong made from a sacrificial animal. All I am saying is that instead of being known as a holiday tradition made for couples only, we should find a way to make this holiday a tad more group oriented to include anyone. And thereby, everyone would have the chance to join in the fun.

Led Zeppelin Valentine's Day Countdown - Day 2

7 comments:

  1. The first Valentines were produced right here in Worcester, MA by an enterprising woman named Esther Howland in 1840s. She had seen paper and lace creations in England and thought she could make them prettier. And she did. Hired people to help her make one of a kind valentines and started the New England Valentine Co. We also had to have a valentine for each classmate. We decorated old shoe boxes or empty tissue boxes to look like a valentine mailbox. Then we would be allowed to go around the classroom delivering our valentines to everyone. Beyond elementary school, it's a tough holiday if you're single. Even for couples the burden of trying to pick another gift, or a special dinner or outing. Oh, dear. I sound like a Valentine's Grinch. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing this cool historical info, CJ! I love learning the history of our holidays - both ancient and contemporary.

      And no, you do not sound like a Valentine's Grinch at all
      - you are quite correct about how much harder it gets to be innovative and different as time passes. LOL!!

      Delete
  2. That was great the way you did the Valentine's cards when you were in school. Ours wasn't like that. We wrote out cards for our fellow students and in the afternoon handed them out. Sadly, there were some who got plenty of cards, some who got some, and one person who would have gotten none if I hadn't written one out for her. Actually, I wasn't too far behind her in the card department. I was one of those lonely children who were picked on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed, Mary. Honestly, I was NOT liked by either the girls nor the guys all through my school days. I was an extremely quiet and shy kid and had buck teeth before braces so I was called names and picked on as well. I never dated ever but I had my little group of friends like me so I got through it.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  3. Very interesting and informative post Kim. Thank you ❤
    In grammar school I so enjoyed delivering my Valentine's to my classmates! Those stone Valentine's get heavy after awhile :)
    Have a great day ❤❤❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Nah, you are most definitely NOT that old, my dear Jan, but I love your sense of humor about life ... ha ha ha! Besides, you are a beautiful lady at any age. ;)

      Much love and many hugs! <3

      Delete
  4. We use to give out Valentine's cards in class! We had paper bags taped to the back of our chairs, and put the cards in them. It was so fun and everyone had fun together reading them.

    ReplyDelete