If your other half 'forgets' to book a hot date or buy flowers, at least these fun Valentine's Day facts will make you smile...
We all know that 14 February marks the day where we get to be bowled over (or disappointed!) by the one we love, inundated with beautiful blooms, and taken out for a schmancy pants Valentine’s Day dinner date. Heck, we might even get the chance to flirt with our partners, if the kiddos haven’t worn us down with their endless need for entertaining, feeding and watering prior to our hot date. But before all that, we say steal five mins to take the weight off your feet, grab a mum-sized mug of coffee and find out the fun things you never knew about Valentine’s Day… (if nothing else, it will give you fodder to chat about over your oyster starter for two).
5 facts you never knew about Valentine’s Day
1. Stats, stats and more stats
Valentine’s Day is a day of whopping stats!
- Apparently, one billion cards are exchanged worldwide on 14 February. Save the polar bears though, people: recycle those words of love!
- Bling, bling: in the US alone, Americans will spend roughly $19.2 billion on gifts this year, each gift averaging $110!
- It’s all about the roses: approximately 240 million of them are cultivated globally for Valentine’s Day each year.
2. Teachers, we love you!
If you are a teacher, a mother or a pet then you have a really good chance of receiving a card this year. Teachers bag the most cards of all, followed by kids (awwww), mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets. Sorry, husbands!
3. Loving Cadbury since 1840
Richard Cadbury was sitting on a goldmine when he produced the first box of heart-shaped choccies especially for Valentine’s Day back in 1840. Fast forward to today and roughly 36 million boxes of chocolates are sold across the world on a day that should perhaps be re-named Diet Abandonment Day.
4. South Korea is the land of love
If you are looking for a new and exciting holiday destination (post-pandemic, of course!), and a reason to celebrate all things love, then South Korea is where you should jet off to when things reopen. Apparently, the 14th of every month is dedicated to romance.
5. Dating before Tinder
Back in the Middle Ages, instead of relying on clever apps like Tinder, youngsters looking for romance drew names from a bowl to see who would end up as their Valentine. Names would be pinned onto sleeves for one week for everyone to see (including, hopefully, their intended). Now you know where the expression “wear your heart on your sleeve” came from. Zero swiping involved!
Want more Valentine’s Day facts? We consulted the HoneyKids’ kids for their take on L.O.V.E… watch below!
Happy Valentine’s Day, all!
