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

Valentine's Day 2024: Different ways countries celebrate love on February 14? ›

While chocolates, candy and cards are fairly ubiquitous on Valentine's Day, the holiday has taken on some unique traditions in different parts of the globe. Learn about Japan's "true feeling" chocolates, mass weddings in South Africa, Denmark's "love spoons" and other ways humans celebrate the romantic holiday.

Do different countries celebrate Valentine's day differently? ›

While chocolates, candy and cards are fairly ubiquitous on Valentine's Day, the holiday has taken on some unique traditions in different parts of the globe. Learn about Japan's "true feeling" chocolates, mass weddings in South Africa, Denmark's "love spoons" and other ways humans celebrate the romantic holiday.

What International love day is 14 February? ›

Every 14th of February, Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated. Many consider this date to be a special day to strengthen the bonds between couples or friends, but do you know why it started?

What is the special of February 14 in India? ›

Basant Panchami- Saraswati Puja on Feb 14: Basant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, is marked in several states of India. It is celebrated to worship the Goddess Saraswati. This year the Basant Panchami festival will be celebrated on February 14.

What country celebrates a day of love on the 14th of each month? ›

Valentine's Day in Korea is a bit different from Valentine's Day elsewhere in world. In fact, Valentine's Day is one of 12 "love days" celebrated on the 14th of every month in Korea.

How to celebrate Valentine's Day in different countries? ›

Traditions these days vary from country to country – here's our handy rundown of the most interesting Valentine's traditions from around the world:
  1. The United States – Go all out. ...
  2. South Korea and Japan – Pamper the men. ...
  3. The UK – Go on dream dates. ...
  4. Finland – Celebrate friends. ...
  5. Peru – Opt for orchids.

How does Japan celebrate Valentine's Day? ›

Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated by women giving gifts of chocolate to the men in their lives. Romantic partners or interests receive special chocolates known as honmei-choco, while male friends and colleagues or classmates receive obligatory giri-choco.

What is on 14 February 2024 for India? ›

14 February- Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami, popular as Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Indian religions in different ways depending on the region.

How does Italy celebrate Valentine's day? ›

Traditions for Couples

Valentine's Day in Italy was historically celebrated as a Spring Festival. They will celebrate the advent of spring together by spending time outdoors, strolling in parks, sitting under trees or in beautiful gardens, and listening to music or talking.

How does France celebrate Valentine's day? ›

In France, couples gift each other flowers, chocolate, macarons from Laduree or Pierre Herme and lingerie as we would in the States. It is often the perfect time to organize a special outing to a museum, romantic restaurant or a brunch in a special cafe. French restaurants often propose a special Valentine's Day menu.

What is special on 14 February in Pakistan? ›

Haya Day (Urdu: یومِ‌ حیا) is a holiday celebrated on February 14 in Pakistan as an alternative to Valentine's Day. It was first celebrated by Islami Jamiat Talaba Pakistan.

What does India do for Valentine's day? ›

Rituals and Traditions

Flower vendors do brisk business, as roses, particularly red ones, are exchanged as tokens of love and devotion. In addition to romantic gestures, Valentine's Day in India is also an occasion for friends to celebrate their bond of friendship.

What is special in February in India? ›

Significance of Important Days in February 2024
  • Indian Coast Guard Day- 1 February. ...
  • World Wetlands Day- 2 February. ...
  • World Cancer Day- 4 February. ...
  • International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation- 6 February. ...
  • Safer Internet Day- 7 February. ...
  • International Day of Women and Girls in Science- 11 February.
Feb 6, 2024

How is Valentine's Day different in two other countries? ›

Slovenians typically celebrate romance a month later, on St. Gregory's Day, which falls on March 12. Finland and Estonia celebrate Friend's Day on February 14, a day for honoring both friends and significant others. Cards and gifts are still given out, and can be for anyone from a best friend to a neighbor.

How does Germany celebrate Valentine's Day? ›

Germans celebrate Valentine's Day by exchanging gifts of chocolates, flowers and pigs. Yep, you read it right, pigs.

What is the day of love Mexico? ›

February 14th is celebrated in Mexico as El Dia del Amor y la Amistad, or “The Day of Love and Friendship”. The holiday has been embraced by Mexicans and enriched with their unique traditions and expressions of love.

Is Valentines Day the same all over the world? ›

Regardless of its origins, Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. While February 14 marks a day of candy, flowers, greeting cards, and romantic dinners around the United States, other parts of the world have their own unique ways to celebrate St.

How is Valentine's Day different in Japan compared to America? ›

Another big difference is the kind of gift given: while cards, flowers, jewelry or expensive dinners are all considered fair game for Valentine's Day in many countries, there is only one acceptable option in Japan: lots and lots of chocolate.

What are some differences between Valentine's Day in the US and Mexico? ›

While similar to American Valentine's Day, Mexico's Día de San Valentín can be celebrated by all the people of Mexico, not just happy couples. That's because it's known as the day of love and friendship.

Does America have a different Valentine's Day? ›

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day each year on February 14th by sending cards or letters, giving gifts such as chocolate or flowers, and having meals in restaurants. Many adults see Valentine's Day as an occasion to offer expensive gifts such as jewelry to their sweetheart.

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