Valentine's Day Trivia

Here are a few Valentine's Day Trivia and Facts from Holiday Insights

• The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart.

• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be. They wore the name on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

• About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

• 73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.  15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.

• California produces 60 percent of American roses. However, the vast number of Valentine’s Day roses are imported, mostly from South America.  110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

• About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.  Approximately 25 percent of Valentine’s Day cards are humorous.

• More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day. 

• In 1866, candy manufacturer NECCO made the first “Conversation Hearts”, originally called “Motto Hearts”. Eight billion of these little candies are sold between New Years day and February 14.

• In the 17th century, hopeful maidens ate a hard-boiled egg and pinned five bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep on Valentine's eve. It was believed this would make her dream of her future husband.

Five years ago today: Orange You Glad?