Valentine's Day

Once a year, a feast is celebrated where the lovers are the protagonist of the celebration. This day is better known as Valentine’s day which is celebrated all around the world on the 14th of February. This day entices lovers to be more caring towards their partners and spend some romantic time together. But do we really need Valentine’s day to remember of our loved ones? What is the true meaning of this day or does it merely serve as another commerce opportunity for businesses to exploit?

The special day was named after a number of Christian martyr who gave up their lives for the love of God. In 496, Pope Gelasius I set the 14th of February as a remembrance day for these acts. However, it was much later on, that this day started being accustomed to lovers. One of the most famous symbols of Valentines is undoubtedly Cupid, better known as the God of Love. This figure is usually depicted as a young boy with angel wings, having a bow and throwing arrows to the loved ones. The arrows represent the emotions of affection between lovers. In Greek mythology, Cupid was known as the Eros, the son of the Goddess of love, Aphrodite whereas in Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of the Goddess Venus.

This day is usually celebrated by the giving of gifts to your partner. A very popular gift is that of taking your partner to a nice posh restaurant, where a whole four or five course meal is served to the lovers. This is then accompanied with a nice bottle of good wine and music played by a violinist. Another very common gesture is that of giving roses. Roses can be found in a wide range of colours and a special meaning is associated with each variance. For example, red roses are associated with passion, love and respect whereas white roses refer more to a sense of purity and innocence. One can also be more creative to make this day a more memorable one for his special one. Writing special personal messages in a form of a poem in a carefully created handmade card is another innovative way of how one can pass on his true love feelings. Other romantic tips include cooking a special meal for your beloved one, surprising him/her by presenting her with something she/he was not expecting such as a trip to some romantic place or re-creating the wonderful feeling of your first date by repeating the same things that happened on that special night.

Personally, I believe that everyday should be Valentine's day! We shouldn't wait for this particular day to come to express our affection to our loved ones. With regards to giving presents, I also believe it's the small gifts and gestures which really matter and leave the most impact.

One way of finding great bargain deals in Malta for your Valentines is on TeamUp. TeamUp offers the best daily offers available on the island to all Maltese citizens and foreigners residing in Malta.