Mid-February is rolling around, bringing with it snow (I know, what on earth Exeter?!) and the Marmite of seasonal celebrations. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t either love or hate Valentine’s day. It isn’t to do with whether they’re in a couple or not either – I have friends in relationships who hate the day and single friends who love it because #galentines is on the cards and they can chill with their besties and eat all the chocolate. That, plus fluffy teddies and flowers, tends to be the trend in England. But what about the rest of the world?
Wales
For the Welsh, there’s no Saint Valentine and their celebration doesn’t occur in February. Their version is Saint Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers and the date of love is January 25th. Instead of the bargain box of Dairy Milk from the ASDA clearance shelf, a traditional Welsh gift is the love spoon, a wooden carving with symbols specific to the couple, like a horseshoe for luck. I don’t know about you, but I think this may be the cutest Valentine’s gift ever (bar a surprise getaway to the Bahamas, obvs).
South Korea
One day is nowhere near enough time to celebrate love in South Korea. Festivities for V-day continue from February to April, with women kicking it off on February 14th with gifts for their other halves. This gives the guys another whole month to sort out what they’re going to give their sweethearts and they give their presents on March 14th. As someone who completes everything (including all their deadlines *sob*) last-minute, I sure could do with another month of prep!
Italy
It’s the country where Romeo met Juliet, so the Italians don’t do romance by halves! An old tradition states that unmarried women must wake up before dawn on February 14th and the first man they see will be their husband within a year. Before you see the postman in your PJs and freak out about having to wed him, you should know there’s a get-out clause: he must just strongly resemble the man you’re going to marry. PHEW. Today, dinner out is always the Valentine’s activity of choice. Wine, pasta, pizza, tiramisu and chocolate sounds good to me whether its Valentine’s day or not.
Brazil
Because Brazil has a decent climate where it doesn’t just remain cold ALL. THE. TIME. (yes, Exeter, I’m looking at you) they celebrate their Valentine’s day in June when temperatures are at a lovely 22°C despite it technically being their winter. Dia dos Namorados or Lover’s Day falls on June 12th and is celebrated in a carnival-like fashion with music and performances all over the country. If you’re single but you just want to spread the love, this is the place to go: gift-giving and tasty dinners occur between family and friends as well as couples. My advice? Grab your gal pals and a stash of chocolate, head to Rio de Janeiro and dance all day because the love we have for our besties is worth celebrating!