Valentine’s Day Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? In the UK it's the most romantic day of

the year!

February 14th is traditionally a

celebration of love, so how do people

in the UK mark the occasion?

Cards

Sending a Valentine's card to a loved

one is a custom that started more

than a century ago. Couples give

cards to each other, but it is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you

secretly love. This practice is particularly common in schools and can be a source of great

amusement and embarrassment as everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a

secret admirer! Valentine's Day symbols on cards include hearts designs, doves, and the figure

of the winged angel, Cupid.

Poems

The card might also feature a poem. Probably the most famous lines from a Valentine’s Day

poem are:

Roses are red, violets are blue,

Honey is sweet, and so are you.

There are some ironic variations on this poem such as:

Roses are red, violets are blue,

You look like a monkey and smell like one too!

Mobile love

Millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages

such as e-cards, or printable greeting cards. Texting your Valentine message is an easy

(although maybe not very romantic!) option. Valentine's Day text messages include:

WUBMV - will you be my Valentine

xoxoxoxoxo - hugs and kisses

LUWAM<3 - love you with all my heart

ImRdy4Luv - I'm ready for love

:'-) - I'm so happy, I'm crying

ILUVU - I love you

Flowers and chocolates

As well as cards, February 14th is also a day for giving gifts. Traditionally, men give

chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends. There are lots of websites offering advice

on which Valentine’s present to buy. Popular choices last year included: an mp3 player, red

roses, a box of chocolates, a CD of romantic songs, a phone, jewellery, a photo frame or

perfume.

Unusual gifts

Some people think that flowers and chocolates seem a little ordinary and so they look for a

more unusual gift. For romantic people with plenty of cash these gifts could include: a

helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to test-drive a Ferrari, an all-day session at a

health club. Others, however, complain that Valentine's Day is yet another opportunity for

ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics the gift of love is enough. Valentine's Day

is a popular day to either propose or get married - you'd never forget your wedding

anniversary!

Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it?

We asked a few Brits about their views on Valentine’s Day and here’s what they said.

Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day all the comments below are anonymous.

Love it! I always send cards to my mates - and my boyfriend or course.

I would prefer to go without it. I don't want gifts or money or anything like that. Knowing

that I'm appreciated and that I can make others happy is good enough for me.

I got a card last year – but I still don’t know who sent it. I haven’t got a girlfriend.

My mum sends me a card every year. It’s sort of sweet but I think I’m getting a bit old

for that now.

It’s just really humiliating. I’ve never received a Valentine’s card in my life. A day to switch

off my phone because I know I’m not going to get any messages.

My boyfriend sent me a text message last year on Valentine’s Day. I suppose that’s kind of

romantic but I’d rather have a present or even a real card.

I sent an anonymous Valentine’s card to a boy in my class when I was younger. Then my

brother told him it was from me. I was so embarrassed!

I’m single so it’s definitely irritating. It’s too commercial anyway.

If a girl likes me I don’t need to waste money sending her a card just because it’s a

tradition.

Chocolates, roses, cards, presents. Bring it on! I love Valentine’s Day!

QUESTIONS

1. Check your understanding: true or false

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Valentine’s Day is on February 14th. True False

2. It’s traditional to send cards secretly on Valentine’s Day. True False

3. WUBMV means ‘will you buy me a Valentine’s card’. True False

4. Chocolates and flowers are popular presents on February 14th. True False

5. It’s unlucky to get married on Valentine’s Day. True False

6. Most British men think that Valentine’s Day is too commercial. True False 2. Check your vocabulary: gap fill

Complete the sentences with a word from the box.

secret tradition Traditionally anonymous

romance anonymously secretly romantics

1. Everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a ______________ admirer.

2. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day all the comments below are ______________.

3. For true ______________ the gift of love is enough.

4. I sent a Valentine’s card ______________ to a boy in my class when I was younger.

5. If a girl likes me I don’t need to waste money sending her a card just because it’s a ____________.

6. It is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you ______________ love.

7. ______________ men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends.

8. Who says ______________ is dead?

3. Check your vocabulary: multiple choice

Circle the best word to complete these sentences.

traditional

1. Is it ______________ to give presents on February 14th in your country? traditionally

tradition

traditional

2. We have a similar ______________ but it’s in April. traditionally

tradition

secret

3. I think I’ve got a ______________ admirer! secretly

secretive

If someone ______________ loves you maybe you’ll receive a card on

secret

4. secretly

Valentine’s Day.

secretive

5. Sending a card ______________ is a crazy idea! anonymously

anonymous

6. Don’t write your name on the card if you want to be ______________. anonymously

anonymous

romance

7. Do you think the British are a ______________ nation? romantic

romantically

He gave me a CD called ‘Music for love and ______________’. Do you

romance

8. romantic

think he likes me?

romantically

4. Discussion (answer these questions in another paper) 1. Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? If not, is there a similar day in your country?

2. What gifts do people usually give in your country?

3. Do men and women buy each other gifts?

4. Is it popular with young people, older people or everybody?