1. How is Valentine's Day celebrated?

Valentine's Day gift

Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Argentina, Britain, Canada, France, Mexico, South Korea and the United States.

Traditionally, on Valentine's Day you show your love for another person by sending cards, gifts and messages of love. Couples give cards or presents to each other, but you can also send something anonymously to someone you secretly love.

Popular gifts include a box of chocolates, dinner for two and flowers, especially roses. Some people make personalised gifts like a framed photo or a playlist of songs, or they plan a special activity together.

Valentine's Day is also a popular day to either propose or get married. You'd never forget your wedding anniversary!

Over to you

  • Do people celebrate Valentine's Day where you live?
  • Have you ever given or received a romantic gift?

Write about it in the comments!

 

Average: 4.3 (7 votes)
Profile picture for user guillermot

Submitted by guillermot on Sun, 18/02/2024 - 13:41

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Do people celebrate Valentine's Day where you live?
yes, much people celebrate the valentine's day in argentina. me particularly, I don't give it much importance.
It is a date that generates a lot of commercial activity, aroud the world

Have you ever given or received a romantic gift?
yes in any

Yes, on some occasions I have received and given a present for Valentine's Day.

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Submitted by binata13121986 on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 19:41

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Hello everyone!

My name is Natali!
Valentine's day are very popular in my counrty around 10-15 last years.
All the restorants are full of couples this day, there are flowers and balloons everywhere. The atmosphere is very romantic :))

Last 2 years i live in Turkey and here people doesnt have the traditional of celebrating Valentine's day. Thats too much pity for me. Becouse i used to celebrate.

Anyway i celebrate Valentine's day even alone. Becouse its time of magic and romantic :))

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Submitted by Ernike Fatih on Wed, 07/02/2024 - 12:27

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I celeberate valentine's day with my special people, he give me a doll, the name is lotso, the bigger lotso than before, i'm very happy dan love him

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Submitted by Richele on Tue, 06/02/2024 - 21:17

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Hi everyone!
I’m live in Brazil, so celebrate Valentine’s Day at 12 June!
But I don’t like it’s celebrate,because a think the Love is all day ❤️.

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Submitted by glomi on Sun, 04/02/2024 - 01:42

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Hello, I'm Tatiana from Colombia.

In my country we do celebrate Valentine's day but we don't do it the date that the text mention. In fact, we celebrate it on september 17th, however some people like to take on account this two dates for commemoring Valentine's day.

Yes, I have. It was when I was in the 10th grade of highschool. A classmate gave me a blue balloon and a box of chocolates while we were in a little party that our teacher planned for the hole class. After that, he told me that he had some romantic feelings for me and ask me to be his gilfriend.

Hi glomi,

Thanks for sharing your lovely story!

That's interesting about celebrating it on 17 September. Why is it celebrated on this day? I wonder if couples will celebrate twice a year then, on 17 September and also 14 February ...

Jonathan

LearnEnglish team

Submitted by bhattaraikhem on Fri, 02/02/2024 - 07:56

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Hello everyone,

I'm from Nepal. In my country young people celebrate valentine day. We are exchange gift card. When I was studying in Kathmandu, I get gift card from beautiful girl her name start "S". Old people general they are not celebrate valentine but teenage people enjoy this day. On this day they are eat verity food and wine .

Submitted by Mirreee on Wed, 31/01/2024 - 07:49

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in my contry sweden there are many pepole do celerate they buy flowers and chocolate to each other

Submitted by Christy2106 on Tue, 30/01/2024 - 19:45

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In my country, we celebrate valentine's dayon february 14. It is a special and romantic day for me. I get a gift and a card in the shape of heart from my boyfriend. It is so cute. Also I prepare a gift for him. In the center of the city is a lot of lovers and all streets filled with music.

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Submitted by stefherz on Mon, 27/03/2023 - 01:50

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Here in Brazil we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, but we have the "Lover's Day" on 12 June, which has actually the same function.
I have never received or given any presents, mainly because me and my partners usually find the date and its traditions very cheesy. I have always been reluctant to adhere to certain traditions, simply for finding it ridiculous to have some higher, impersonal instance telling me how to behave on a certain date. On the other hand I agree with the collegue who argued that these commemorative dates are there to remind us of things we might forget throughout the course of our everyday hussle. Even though, if you give your partner presents or specially attention ONLY on Valentine's Day, it may look more like an obligation than a genuine demonstration of affection.

Hi Stefherz,

I love that you use the word 'cheesy'! My husband would definitely agree with you! He always says to me that it's a complete rip off on these 'special days' especially Valentine's Day and he'd rather go out somewhere special or buy me flowers when it isn't February 14th. I'm still waiting ... 🤦‍♀️ Is there a reason that 'Lover's Day' is on 12th June?

~Tina ッ
LearnEnglish team

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Submitted by Umar Hammad on Tue, 21/03/2023 - 07:16

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i celebrate with my friends and kids i arrange the party a sort of get together with my all friends and famliy members range of good food and cut cake its very colourful

Submitted by khuludaljoufi on Thu, 09/03/2023 - 04:55

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In my country non celebrate Valentin day because in our religious it is haram and I believe this day is silly idea why the couples celebrate in just one day !!! I think when there really love some of them they should celebrate every day nor in one day !

Submitted by Christina Brit… on Tue, 07/03/2023 - 11:51

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Hi. Valentine's day is celebrated in order to express the love on most special one. It's all about spending the day exclusively for him. We set that day aside only for love.Even though we believe that love should be spread and celebrated everyday , we don't always remember to do that. So, on this dedicated day , go above and beyond in expressing love towards him.

Submitted by loanphuong on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 07:47

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I live in Vietnam. And Vietnamese still celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th. We celebrate Valentine’s day in various ways the man will buy flowers or chocolate for the woman. The girl will buy something like a t-shirt, wallet, and belt for her boyfriend. Some couples will ride motorbike all over the city. Others will go to the restaurant to celebrate.

My friend makes a cake by herself to give to her boyfriend. How romantic!

Single people, especially females, will treat themselves like a queen on this day. They can buy everything they want by themselves. Or hang out with others, who are single too in order to celebrate.

I have not given or received a romantic gift before. Because I have not had boyfriends for 27 years old hahaha. Poor me. Maybe next Valentine’s Day, if I still do have not a boyfriend, I will buy flowers by myself. Treat me to a good meal at a luxury restaurant.

Hope next Valentine’s Day you won’t feel lonely and don’t need to buy a flower for you. The one who is for you, will give you a flower and go to have a dinner together in the fancy restaurant :)

Submitted by KARIKE77 on Wed, 01/03/2023 - 19:07

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Hi! I'm from Colombia, and about valentine's day people usually give each other romantic gifts when they're in relationships or something like that and it's celebrated every year.

Submitted by Kathy_Xing on Sun, 26/02/2023 - 01:01

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As the globalization spread worldwide, in China, we celebrate many western festivals nowadays, including Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day. Especially those young generations. In Valentine's Day, we imitate western culture sending roses and chocolate for people we loved. On that day, some people may go to the street and sell roses temporarily. Form my perspective, girls will have more chances receiving presents. Especially, when the relationship is in its infancy, guys want to make their relationship more stable. So girls will only be ready for reciving gifts. However, when they become couples, they will send gifts to each other. I received some gifts on that day, one guy decorated his trunk with rose flowers and lighting. It was the most special one that I could still remember.
We also have our traditional festival for couples, named Qixi Festival. This festival is derived from a traditonal stroy. There was a fairy who fell in love and married to a honest, hard-working young man. But their relationship is unacceptable to the master of the fairy. Therefore, the master seperated them and decided that they could only meet on Qixi Festival, July 7th.
On these two festivals, couples send presents to each other, eat in the restaurant and go to cinemas. So the traffic jam will be worse on those days.

Submitted by HuyenTram on Sat, 25/02/2023 - 04:35

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Hi everyone. I'm from Vietnam.
Valentíne's day is still celebrated in my country. On that day, it's easy to catch many people who sell flower and gifts along streets. There are a lot of vehicles because couple go out to go sightseeing or have a date together. The restaurants and coffee shops are always full at this time.

Submitted by lien_nguyen on Sat, 25/02/2023 - 02:50

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Nowadays, Valentine's Day is popular over the world among Vietnmam where i was born and grow up. I never received the gift or flowers from someone before because in my age almost of people didn't celebrate Valentine's Day like young generation now. But I think that this is beautiful day for people who falling in love with.

Submitted by ahmed sultan on Fri, 24/02/2023 - 15:02

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There is not a day for celebration of the love , we always express our love to those people whom we love anyday at anytime not in special day that remember us these people whom we love

Submitted by luisfelipeldf on Fri, 24/02/2023 - 05:16

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Hello,
Here in Brazil we use to celebrated in 12 of june, they also promote on TV or social midia and sales a lot of type of gifts like roses, dinner or Stay in a nice hotel room (all inclusive).

Submitted by CLAURA NGUYEN on Wed, 22/02/2023 - 09:22

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Hello, I'm Claura from Vietnam. In our country, Valentine's Day is popular too. They have promoted it on the TV, on Banners, and on the stress and once this day is coming, I can see a lot of flowers and the chocolate box is displaying on the pavement. It is also interesting, it is also a day we can make for the family we love, like our parents. Give them dinner, a gift with the message that we love them very much. With me.

Submitted by Syaaaf0212 on Wed, 22/02/2023 - 07:36

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Hello, I live in Indonesia. In Indonesia, Valentine's day is not having a big celebration. Sometimes, in a big mall or restaurant, there is a decoration of Valentine or couple set for those who wants to celebrate it. But in general, as I know, only a few people celebrate Valentine's day.

Submitted by sara rslan on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 21:46

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Hello! It’s sara i’m from Egypt we do celebrate valentine’s day here in Egypt in many ways like sending anonymously gifts , sending chocolates and roses and and have a romantic dinner at luxury restaurant as a date! Also, we love to watch romantic movies on t.v or attend a concert with our be loved.
This year i hang out with my friends to attend a concert because i’m single and I bought myself a lovely gift 😂♥️ That’s how my valentine’s day went

Submitted by ykokunovamail.ru on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 20:31

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Celebration od Valentine's Day was introduced here about 30-25 years back, and became popular with teens and young people most of all as they are always crazy about all new and exotic stuff. And then people gave presents like flowers, chocolate, toys, jewellry, and went on dates and had parties. But now it's become history and they do not take any interest in it.

Submitted by ykokunovamail.ru on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 20:25

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hello! nowadays it's not celebrated where I live.

Submitted by laurita.zaconeta on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 19:06

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In my country Bolivia, Valentine's Day, has recently become popular. However, we traditionally celebrate the day of Love on the 21st of September! Anyway, this year as my boyfriend and I are many kilometres apart, we sent each other personalized e-Cards with very meaningful pictures!

Submitted by irene1964 on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 15:05

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Hi, I am Irene from Argentina. We do celebrate Valentine's Day here. But I feel it is, as Halloween and other celebrations, more or less a marketing move! When I was a child it didn't exist. And now it has become popular to celebrate. Actually I have received many gifts for Valentine's Day.

Tell us more Irene! 😊
What sort of gifts did you get on Valentine's Day? Flowers? Chocolates?
This year I received a single red rose, not from my husband though ... from my eldest son!

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by Guntars Steckis on Tue, 21/02/2023 - 08:49

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Hello! In Latvia (Northern Europe) we celebrate Valentine's Day. Couples give each other flowers, buy chocolates and so on, but usually it's just a working day. Valentine's Day is a new holiday in Latvia. Some think that this day is for young people who want to show their feelings to members of the opposite sex.
We also celebrate Mother's Day on May 14th and Father's Day on September 10th and Family Day on May 15th. This celebration is more common and understandable.

Submitted by MargarethHale on Mon, 20/02/2023 - 04:53

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Well, in Brazil we do not celebrate the Valentine's Day. We actually have something similar, but not related to any kind of saint, and that happens on 12th June. In fact, I've heard that we dont celebrate like the most of the countries cause in February there's another celebration very important to our culture, wich is called Carnaval. Anyway, there are some people who celebrate it in both dates, i guess that this happens 'cause the girlfriend/or boyfriend wanna feel included and loved.

Submitted by udjfernando on Sun, 19/02/2023 - 00:23

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Some of majority celebrate valentine's day. It is most probably celebrated by the teenagers and the youth society who have love relationships. Although wedded couples can celebrate it, most of them say that they do not need to separate one day to celebrate love. They have Valentine through out the year. I think there should have a separate day to celebrate it in a special way. I have gifted a Valentine gift to someone. But I did not get anything special back. Because he is such a person who thinks we have Valentine everyday.

Submitted by nyeinsuthet06 on Sat, 18/02/2023 - 04:18

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In our country, they do celebrate who have a relationship they give flowers, chocolate, gift to their lover because that's is a act of love.

Submitted by rizky1616 on Fri, 17/02/2023 - 15:37

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In my country, some people celebrete valentine day, and some people dont.
People usually celebrate Valentine day with giving a flowers or any gift, also couples spend time together. but for people who dont celebrate valentine day, they just ignore that

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Submitted by Dulsara Mabarana on Thu, 16/02/2023 - 03:10

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Hello, I'm from Sri Lanka.In our country most people celebrate valentines day with there loved once in every year. They give Flowers,Gifts,Chocolates and make cards for there lover.They send gifts and plan special activities such as candle dinner, watching movies,music festivales and many more.Valentines day is a special day for everyone.

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Submitted by RdVAL on Wed, 15/02/2023 - 17:37

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In brazil we celebrate the valentine's day on 12th june. It's not connected a sort saint, but like in Europe and USA, its a day when couples, lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends, people that are dating, they get out to dinner, or to go movies, malls, or them stay in home celebrating their relanstionship!

Submitted by Carlos... on Wed, 15/02/2023 - 01:39

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Hi. I´m from Mexico City. In this country we celebrate Valentine's day with many ballons, chocolates and roses. All the people get out and visit the malls, the cinemas and the restaurants. In my case, I stay at home with my girlfriend. We like to huge each other, watch some series and sleep all the afternoon, then, at night, we go outside and eat boneless. What a wonderful day! Bye.

Submitted by Ailim23 on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 21:19

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In Peru we also celebrate Valentine's Day, usually, people give chocolates, teddies, flowers, and roses, go to restaurants, and go to the cinema with their gifts.

Submitted by Adeb on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 18:01

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in our country more people celebrate the valentine's day in there home, some park or coffee shop and receive from each other some gift like chocolate, flower or greeting card.

Submitted by daigalaviz on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 14:44

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Hi all! In my country, Venezuela, we celebrate Valentine's Day.
The date is hope for the restaurants, coffee shops, and people that make presents with flowers and chocolate.
Even, the date is not only celebrated by the youngest, old people do it too.
And, yes. I received presents this day. Four years ago, when I was in my former job when my ex send me flowers, and all my coworkers take pictures it, and post them on your social media.

Submitted by tantirahayu78 on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 02:58

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Yes, people often celebrate this event in my country especially the young ones, and non-Islam. Chocolates are on sale, and many markets prepared special edition packs for the event. I had received Valentine's chocolates for a few times when I was in High School. After married, we don't celebrate it anymore. However, people around me still love to celebrate it by sharing chocolates to others.

Submitted by Sarita Telles on Tue, 14/02/2023 - 01:46

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In my country, we celebrate Valentine's Day on June 12th. Normally, couples give cards or presentes to each other. In my culture it is very common to celebrate this date.
At the moment, no one will receive my gift

Really? In my country, we celebrate Valentine´s Day today on February 14th. People acostumbrate to give to others flowers, teddy bears, chocolates or maybe a romantic dinner

Submitted by Lisa20230213 on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 22:47

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In my country, China, the Valentines‘s Day is a big opportunity for business both on line and in physical stores to boost sales. Young people in China generally have special date with lover, such as having dinner in romantic restaurant, preparing roses and gifts, and etc.

Submitted by lenylima88 on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 22:18

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Hi Everyone
Here in Brazil we celebrate Valentine ´s Day at June 12.
we usually give some gift for person we are love involved with.
here is not commun give gifts or go out with a close or simple friend in this day.
the gifts are chocolates , gifts, watches , celphone, go to dinner in a restaurante or to do some special for dinner by two. and watch a good movie togheter.

Submitted by fuadsohli on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 18:55

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hi everyone
in Syria we had a Valentine's Day but these days we don't
last year we celbrated in resturant or cafe, also might at home, We found it a great chanse to refresh your love with your wife .

Submitted by Kirsis on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 17:59

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good day everyone!

Valentine's day is a quite popular holiday in my country (Ukraine). For the past 5 years, we like to celebrate it with my husband by exchanging presents and "love cards" where we write something nice for each other. For this year's present, I've got Ram sets of 64 GB to update our computer, yeah, not that romantic, but that's what he would want, especially since "Hogwarts Legacy" came out :) Also, we order tasty food and spend the day watching our favorite movies and cuddling.