Create your Valentine's Day gift now

In Japan, only women give dark chocolate to their loved ones, friends, relatives, colleagues and even to their employer. One month later, on “White Day” they receive white chocolate in return.  The following custom has its origins in Italy but is also popular in Germany: Lovers engrave their names into padlocks and attach them to bridge railings or somewhere at well-known places. The key is thrown into the water. This way, the couple’s love is meant to last forever. The Finns do not only prioritize love on Valentine’s Day, this day is dedicated to friendship as well. Messages and little presents are sent anonymously to people they like. The Swedes on the other hand call Valentine’s Day the “Day of all Hearts” and it is common to give hearts made of wine gum. In Denmark it is all about secrets: Presents are sent anonymously and the gifted one has to guess the sender. Instead of red roses, snowdrops are very popular there. Other popular presents are hearts out of flowers, pastry and of course chocolate. In Islamic countries, Valentine’s Day is partly prohibited due to its origin in the Christian faith. In Germany, Valentine’s Day has only been celebrated since the end of World War II. Englishmen and Americans brought the tradition to Germany towards the end of the war. In Poland, Chelmno is known as the “City of Lovers” as this is where a relic of St Valentine is being kept. Valentine’s Day is an important holiday there. In memory of Saint Valentine, a service is being held in church and the people release thousands of red balloons into the sky. The day concludes with many events and concerts in the evening. In England and France, people used to believe that a young woman would marry the one man who she lays eyes on first on Valentine’s Day. The tradition in which admirers start bringing their presents preferably early to their loved one on that day, exists until today.