France
As one of the most romantic locations in the world, how could France miss the list? Apparently, the first Valentine’s Day occured here in 1415, when Charles (Duke of Orleans) sent a love letter to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Even today, Valentine’s Day cards are the most well-known form of celebration.
Denmark
This European country had only started to celebrate Valentine’s Day during the ’90s. However, as soon as they embraced the holiday, locals also started their own tradition.
Here, couples are exchanging what are called ‘lovers’ cards.’ Each love letter must include pressed white flowers, known as snowdrops. Another tradition is that men offer women a ‘joking letter’ which contains a funny poem or sentence in order to earn women’s sympathy.
South Korea
Koreans decided that one day is simply not enough to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so the young couples here are enjoying the holiday every month from February to April. While on February women must offer their lovers chocolate and candies, it’s the gentlemen’s duty to show their affection towards their ladies in March.
Wales
Although the Welsh aren’t celebrating Saint Valentine, they have their own ‘Valentine’s Day’ called Saint Dwynwen, on January 25th.
What makes this love holiday truly unique is that the main traditional gift to be offered is a spoon. During the 17th century, Welsh men were spending hours to craft unique wooden spoons in order to show their affection for their lovers. Today, spoons are also exchanged at Welsh weddings, births or anniversaries.
China
In China, people are celebrating Qixi (Seventh Night Festival), which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
During this holiday, tradition says that women have to decorate fruits such as melon, hoping that they will find a good husband. Most of the couples also visit various temples where they pray for happiness and love.
England
The English history of celebrating Valentine’s Day goes a long way back. Here, women used to place five bay leaves on their pillow so they would see their next husband in their dreams.
Philippines
Locals here are mainly celebrating Valentine’s Day the same way we do. However, they created one truly unique tradition: weddings. Every February 14th, people organize massive wedding ceremonies for the young couples who believe that this day might bring them happiness, love and prosperity.
Italy
A while ago, the Italian tradition for Valentine’s Day was for the young couples to take a stroll around gardens and parks where they could enjoy poetry and music at the Spring Festival. Today, one of the most popular habits is for lovers to offer each other Baci Perugina. These are small hazelnuts covered in chocolate and wrapped with a romantic quote printed on them.
Brazil
Due to the fact that Brazilians celebrate carnivals at the beginning of the year, they created Dia dos Namorados (‘Lovers’ Day’) on June 12th. Then again, locals celebrate the holiday big time by enjoying music festivals and performances all over the country.
South Africa