Valentine's Day 2024: Different ways countries celebrate love on February 14 (2024)

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! In most parts of the world, 14 February is celebrated as the day of love. On this day, people indulge in gifting, a custom that helped make Valentine's Day the commercial holiday.

The Valentine's Day on 14 February and the week leading up to itsees different countries celebrate differently. Let's take a look at some of the unique Valentine's Day customs from around the world.

Finland

Finland celebrates Ystävänpäivä (pronounced YOUS-ta-van-PIE-vah), which roughly translates to “Friendship Day," on February 14 every year. Fins take the opportunity to shower their loved one- friends, family, partners--with tiny gifts and memories.

Spain

Spain celebrates San Valentín, or Saint Valentine's Day, on February 14. Some believe that October 9 is the real day to celebrate love, as Valencians and other Spaniards honour Saint Dionysus, widely considered the patron saint of love. In some parts of Spain, October 9 is celebrated with parades, festivals and other events. In a ceremony known as Mocaorà, men traditionally present their partners with silk scarves or handkerchiefs decorated with marzipan.

Japan

Women in Japan are expected to spend big on Valentine's Day, gifting their partners jewellery and chocolates. But the gift-giving doesn't stop there. A month after Valentine's Day, on March 14, Japan also celebrates a holiday known as White Day, when men who have received gifts from women are expected to return the favour. Gifts for White Day customs range from lingerie to sweets, jewellery and white chocolate.

Denmark, Norway

In Denmark and Norway, Lover's cards, which can be sentimental or humorous, are exchanged between friends and relatives. Some people even write an anonymous joke letter, known as a "gaekkebrev", in which the signature is made up entirely of dots. The letter contains a short poem or message along with elaborate paper cut-outs. The recipient of the gaekkebrev, or "snowdrop letter", is entitled to an Easter egg if they correctly guess who sent it.

England

While there are many ways to spend Valentine's Day in England, listening to adorable children sing is one of the most popular. Little singers are rewarded with sweets, fruit or money. To celebrate a plentiful harvest, some people even exchange Valentine's buns, often called 'plum shuttles', which are made with raisins, plums or caraway seeds.

Philippines

The celebration of 14 February in Phillipines sees thousands of couples celebrate their wedding anniversary. Recent years have also witnessed “mass weddings" on 14 February Valentine's Day.

Germany

German couples exchange pig-shaped gifts for Valentine's Day. It is customary to give and receive stuffed animals, statues and other items with pigs on them, as it is said that the pig represents both lust and love. Germans also indulge in a healthy exchange of ginger biscuits iced with sentimental inscriptions.

Mexico

Mexico, on 14 February, celebrates "El Día del Amor y Amistad", or "The Day of Love and Friendship", a inclusive celebration, regardless of relationship status. The day is marked with flowers, cards, stuffed animals and other gifts.

South Africa

In South Africa, Valentine's Day is really celebrated on February 15 in observance of the Roman festival Lupercalia, therefore there won't be many secret admirers on that day. This is due to the fact that certain women physically wear their hearts on their sleeves. Specifically, these women will write the name of the person they are in love with on a piece of paper and pin it to their sleeve.

South Korea

Valentine's Day in South Korea is a monthly affairs. on 14 February partners exchange chocolates and gifts among themselves. On 14 March, South Korea celebrates White Day, similar to the one celebrated in Japan. On 14 April, singles also get their day-- Black Day-- when single people enjoy a bowl of "jjajangmyeon", noodles with a black bean sauce while brooding over (or celebrating?) their single status.

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Published: 11 Feb 2024, 01:39 PM IST

Valentine's Day 2024: Different ways countries celebrate love on February 14 (2024)

FAQs

How is Valentine's day celebrated in another country? ›

While stores filled with red balloons and gifting materials is a common sight during Valentine's Day in India and a few other nations, couples in Bulgaria celebrate their love with a glass of the excellent local wine, lovebirds in Wales exchange special and intricately handcrafted wooden spoons, and Romanian couples go ...

What 7 countries celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Learn how the "Day of Love" is celebrated in some of the great destinations for teaching English overseas.
  • Brazil.
  • Chile. ...
  • Italy. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Argentina. ...
  • Korea. ...
  • Japan. ...
  • China. In the 21st century, many Chinese now celebrate western Valentine's Day complete with romantic gift exchanges and special dates. ...
Jun 29, 2023

Do all Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Valentine's day on February 14th? ›

Though it may go by other names, and even occur on days other than the 14th of February, the idea and sentiment surrounding el Día de San Valentín (Valentine's Day) is as important in Spanish-speaking countries as it is in other parts of the world.

What are some different Valentine's day traditions from around the world? ›

What Valentine's Day Traditions Mean Around the World
  • Denmark: white flowers and guessing games. ...
  • South korea: men get pampered. ...
  • japan: obligatory chocolate. ...
  • germany: chocolate pigs and gingerbread. ...
  • norfolk, england: here comes jack valentine. ...
  • the philippines: Mass weddings. ...
  • ghana: national chocolate day.
Feb 14, 2024

How is Valentine's day celebrated in Japan? ›

Valentine's Day in Japan is very much centred on confectionery. The day was originally brought to Japan by Kobe confectioners Morozoff, and marketed to overseas residents. In the Japanese version of the day, the general rule is that men receive gifts of chocolate from the women in their lives.

How is Valentine's day celebrated in Africa? ›

Like many other countries, South Africa celebrates Valentine's Day with flowers, cards, and other tokens of love. It is also customary for festivals and celebrations to be held throughout its many cities. It's tradition for women to wear their hearts on their sleeves on this day, so to speak.

How many countries celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Valentine's Day in 30 Countries Around the World.

Who created Valentine's day and why? ›

In the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I outlawed Lupercalia. Some contend that he designated the celebration of St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to replace the pagan holiday.

What are the different types of Valentine's day? ›

There are seven days dedicated to celebration of love before Valentine's Day. It starts from February 7. These seven days of love are Rose Day (February 7), Propose Day (February 8), Chocolate Day (February 9), Teddy Day (February 10), Promise Day (February 11), Hug Day (February 12), and Kiss Day (February 13).

How does Mexico celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Lover's Brunch, Lunch or Dinner

One thing both Americans and Mexicans love to do for Valentine's Day is eat. Whether it's booking reservations for a romantic dinner or sharing a heart shaped box of chocolates, food and sweets are a simple yet meaningful way to show your love and appreciation for someone.

How does Brazil celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Celebrations for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil and those for Valentine's Day in most other countries are similar. Typically, couples exchange romantic gifts, such as chocolates or flowers, and they may also share a "date night". Additionally, beautifying home decorations are common as a part of the celebration.

Which country doesn t celebrate valentines? ›

Saudi Arabia: Due to religious and cultural reasons, public celebration of Valentine's Day is prohibited. Pakistan: Although some individuals may privately celebrate, it's not widely observed due to cultural and religious sensitivities.

How does Italy celebrate Valentine's day? ›

How do they celebrate Valentine's day in Italy? Italian Valentine's Day now diverges significantly from its traditional roots, adopting a more contemporary approach to celebrating love. While candlelit dinners and small tokens of affection remain popular, the quintessential gift in Italy continues to be flowers.

How does Argentina celebrate Valentine's day? ›

El Día de los Enamorados (Valentine's Day) is celebrated in Argentina like it is in the rest of the world: couples exchange cute little gifts such as chocolate and flowers, they go out for a nice dinner and celebrate their love, their relationship and their affection to one another.

How does South Korea celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Valentine's Day (February 14th): Rather than the catch-all holiday it is in the rest of the world, on Valentine's Day in Korea women give chocolate to men as a sign of affection. Traditionally, men that receive these gifts will give a gift in return the following month on White Day.

How does Europe celebrate Valentine's day? ›

In Spain, Valentine's Day traditions are very similar to those in Italy and much of the western world with love letters, flowers and romantic dinners.

What country celebrates Valentine's day the most? ›

The countries where Valentine's Day were most likely to be celebrated were the US, South Africa, Chile, India, Turkey, Mexico, Poland, and China. The countries where it was least likely to be observed were the Netherlands, South Korea, and Germany.

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