In each country, people have their own unique and special ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Unique Valentine’s Traditions Around the World
1 – Japan
Japanese women often feel shy when it comes to expressing their feelings, but on Valentine’s Day, they take the initiative to show their affection to their loved ones through special gifts, typically chocolate.
The tradition of giving chocolate in Japan began in 1936 when Morozoff, a confectionery company in Kobe, published the first Valentine’s advertisement. This ad was placed in an English-language newspaper to attract foreigners who typically celebrated this holiday.
By the 1970s, a new promotional form emerged, suggesting that different types of chocolate held various meanings for expressing feelings. There were chocolates for colleagues, friends, and family, as well as special ones for romantic partners and even for female friends.
On February 14, men sit back and enjoy the gifts from women. Then, on March 14 – White Day, men respond to the sentiments expressed by women. Typically, they give back a gift along with chocolate, often worth 2-3 times what they received on February 14.
2 – South Korea
Similar to Japan, women give gifts to men on February 14 and receive responses on March 14. However, South Korea also has a special day on April 14 – Black Day, which is dedicated to singles. On this day, those who didn’t receive gifts enjoy black noodles – jajamyeon with friends to celebrate their single life.
In addition, South Koreans associate other 14th days with love, such as: January 14 – Candle Day, February 14 – Valentine’s Day, March 14 – White Day, April 14 – Black Day, May 14 – Rose Day, June 14 – Kiss Day, July 14 – Silver Day, August 14 – Green Day, September 14 – Music Day, October 14 – Wine Day, November 14 – Movie Day, and December 14 – Hug Day.
3 – Taiwan
In Taiwan, they also celebrate February 14 and March 14 just like in Japan and South Korea. However, on February 14, men give chocolates to women, and women respond on March 14.
4 – Denmark and Norway
Only recently have people in Denmark and Norway begun celebrating this holiday, and they have their own unique traditions. “Gaekkebrev” is a small love poem that men send anonymously to the woman they like, with only one clue – the number of letters in their name at the sender’s part.
The recipient must guess who the sender is; if correct, they win an Easter egg at Easter. If they cannot guess, they owe the sender an Easter egg.
5 – Slovenia
February 14 in Slovenia marks the first day of work in the fields for the year. Saint Valentine, or Zdravko, is one of the patron saints of spring in Slovenia. It is also believed that the birds in the fields express love to their partners and “get married” (coincidentally, this is also the time some bird species seek mates).
Since February 14 is often associated with farming, they celebrate Valentine’s Day on March 12 (Saint Gregory’s Day). They also celebrate on February 22 (Saint Vincent’s Day) and June 13 (Saint Anthony’s Day).
6 – Finland and Estonia
In Finland and Estonia, February 14 is primarily a celebration of friendship rather than love. Therefore, in Finnish and Estonian, February 14 is known as “Friend’s Day.” On this day, they exchange cards or gifts with friends. Interestingly, this day is also when many couples choose to get married or engaged.
7 – Wales
In Wales, people often celebrate Valentine’s Day on January 25 – Saint Dwynwen’s Day. This is due to the touching love story of Dwynwen in folklore, which resonates with the people of Wales.
On this day, it is customary to give each other love spoons. This tradition began when Welsh people, often sailors, carved wooden spoons and gifted them to the women they loved. The designs carved on the spoons also have different meanings.
8 – United Kingdom
In the 1700s, single women in England would place five bay leaves under their pillows and around their pillows to dream of their future husbands. Another way was to sprinkle rose water on the bay leaves and arrange them around the pillow, hoping to dream of their beloved. However, these practices have become traditions and are less commonly performed today.
9 – Norfolk, United Kingdom
In addition to gifts like cards and flowers, people in this region have a special Santa figure named Jack Valentine. He goes around knocking on the doors of children and secretly leaves gifts for them. Although no one knows when this tradition started, parents always know about it and do it for their children.
10 – France
In the most romantic country in the world, there exists a unique tradition known as “Love Attraction.” This activity requires singles to gather in houses and face each other. Two people in the house will take turns calling others in until they find a match for themselves.
If a man does not like the woman he meets, he can simply leave, allowing her to call someone else. Women who cannot find a match will gather together and light a fire to burn or tear up the photos of the men who rejected them. They often do this while shouting, and the situation has escalated to the point that the French government had to prohibit gatherings after the event.
11 – Brazil
In Brazil, the love festival known as Dia do Namorados is celebrated on June 12. On the eve of the festival, girls often write the names of boys on pieces of paper. They believe that the name they catch the next day will belong to the person they will marry or at least the one they will date on Valentine’s Day.
12 – Australia
In the land of kangaroos, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful occasion to express affection for loved ones. Gifts exchanged among family or friends typically include cards with sweet messages. Even singles exchange Valentine gifts.
On Valentine’s Day in Australia, giving flowers to the woman one loves has become a tradition. Red roses are very popular, but men often choose bouquets with a variety of colors and beauty that they believe women prefer more than roses. In addition to chocolates and flowers, Australian couples also give each other some rather unique gifts such as marriage certificates or items related to their shared memories along with sweet Valentine wishes.
13 – Italy
Valentine’s Day in Italy originally comes from the Spring Festival, where couples gather in gardens to recite poetry and enjoy music. According to ancient customs, on Valentine’s Day, Italian men would prepare the most beautiful carriage to stroll with their beloved. Italians exchange a special type of chocolate called “Baci Perugini”, a hazelnut chocolate wrapped in foil printed with famous love poems, declarations of affection, or love messages. Besides flowers and chocolates, Italians also give precious gifts to their women, such as perfumes and diamond jewelry.
14 – Romania
Romania has its own Valentine’s Day on February 24, known as Dragobete or the day of the nesting birds. Romanians believe that if someone steps on their partner’s foot during this occasion, they will become the leader of the relationship. There is ongoing debate about whether Romanians merge Valentine’s Day with the traditional Dragobete.
This day is named after a character from Romanian folklore, believed to be the son of Baba Dochia. The word “drag” in his name is also the same as “drag” in “dragoste – love.” In recent years, Romania has also been celebrating Valentine’s Day, despite the traditional Dragobete already existing. This has faced opposition from many organizations, particularly national ones like Noua Dreaptǎ, who believe Valentine’s Day is merely superficial and commercially driven.
15 – United States
Valentine’s Day in the United States is very diverse. People exchange anything from chocolates and roses to items purchased online or gift cards. Couples often celebrate Valentine’s Day at home or at dance events. A unique aspect not seen in other countries is that schools in the U.S. also organize Valentine’s Day events for their students.
A country with very distinct customs, it has also won the hearts of many young people. On this holiday, they exchange sweet chocolate bars and fragrant roses.
16 – Israel
According to Jewish tradition, the 15th of the month Tu B’Av is recognized as the day of love. In ancient times, women would wear white dresses and dance in vineyards, where young men awaited them. In modern Israeli culture, this day is for confessing love, proposing, and exchanging cards or flowers.
17 – Scotland
In Scotland, there is a party for singles on Valentine’s Day. During this celebration, each single person writes down someone’s name on a piece of paper and tosses them into two hats — one for boys’ names and the other for girls’. The girls will take turns drawing a name, and the name they draw will be their Valentine date.
18 – Argentina
Argentina does not celebrate Valentine’s Day in February but instead transforms it into a “Sweet Week” in July. It is a day when couples exchange kisses, chocolates, and other sweet gifts.
Initially, July’s Sweet Week was an initiative to promote commerce but has since become an essential tradition in Argentina.
19 – Philippines
In the Philippines, Valentine’s Day is a time when many young couples get married during government-sponsored gala events as a form of public service.
Among the most wonderful ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day worldwide, this gala is a local soirée and a special day for the youth.
At the gala, girls wear stunning white dresses while men don matching outfits or suits. During this gala night, couples exchange kisses, and even more wonderfully, they exchange wedding rings.
20 – Ghana
In Ghana, February 14 has become known as the “National Chocolate Day.” This was a government initiative in 2007 aimed at boosting domestic tourism.
Ghana is one of the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On February 14, lovers can attend performances, musical events, and restaurants offering themed menus for this special day alongside their special someone.
